ement
would of course not be the case.

'I am very happy to hear that poor old Birket is still alive;
remember me to her, and tell her not to _heave aback_, until
God grants me the pleasure of seeing her.

'And now, my dear Nessy, cease to anticipate the happiness of
personal communication with your poor, but resigned brother,
until wished-for freedom removes the indignant shackles I now
bear, from the feet of your fond and most affectionate
brother, P.H.'

In a subsequent letter to his sister, he says, 'Let us at present be
resigned to our fate, contented with this sort of communication, and be
thankful to God for having even allowed us that happiness--for be
assured the present confinement is _liberty_, compared with what it has
been for the fifteen months last past.' On the 15th July, Commodore
Pasley addresses the following business-like letter to Miss Heywood.

'I received your letter, my dearest Nessy, with the enclosure
[her brother's narrative], but did not choose to answer it
until I had made a thorough investigation; that is, seen
personally all the principal evidences, which has ever since
occupied my whole thoughts and time. I have also had some
letters from himself; and notwithstanding he must still
continue in confinement, every attention and indulgence
possible is granted him by Captain Montague of the _Hector_,
who is my particular friend. I have no doubt of the truth of
your brother's narrative; the master, boatswain, gunner, and
carpenter, late of the _Bounty_, I have seen, and have the
pleasure to assure you that they are all favourable, and
corroborate what he says. That _fellow_, Captain Edwards,
whose inhuman rigour of confinement I shall never forget, I
have likewise seen; he cannot deny that Peter avowed himself
late of the _Bounty_ when he came voluntarily aboard; this is
a favourable circumstance. I have been at the Admiralty, and
read over all the depositions taken and sent home by Bligh and
his officers from Batavia, likewise the court-martial on
himself; in none of which appears anything against Peter. As
soon as Lieutenant Hayward arrives with the remainder of the
_Pandora's_ crew, the court-martial is to take place. I shall
certainly attend, and we must have an able counsellor to
assist, for I will not deceive you, my dea