able. We laid the inconveniences before them of breaking in upon
our stores, considering the badness of the weather, and the length of our
passage, that if we are not exceedingly provident in regard to serving out
provisions, we must all inevitably starve. They will not hearken to reason,
therefore we are obliged to comply with their demands, and serve out
provisions accordingly. Several of the people have desired to be put on
shore, desiring us to allow them some few necessaries: We wanted to know
what could induce them to request our putting them ashore in this remote
and desolate part of the world: They answered, they did not fear doing
well, and doubted not but to find the cutter, which, if they did, they
would go back to the northward, otherwise they would make a canoe;
therefore insisted on going ashore. On their earnest intreaties the body of
people agreed to their request: We haul'd the boat close in shore; the
people who chose to stay behind were eleven in number, we supply'd them
with proper necessaries, and they signed a certificate, to inform the L----
s of the A----y, that they were not compelled to stay, but made it their
own choice, and that they did it for the preservation of themselves and us.

_A Copy of their Certificate_.

"These are to certify, the right honourable the lords commissioners for
executing the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain, &c. That we,
whose names are undermentioned, since the misfortune of losing the cutter,
have consider'd the ill conveniences and difficulties to be attended, where
so great a number of people are to be carried off, therefore we have
requested and desired the officers and company remaining of the same vessel
to put us on shore, with such necessaries of life as can be conveniently
spared out of the vessel. We, of our own free will and choice, do indemnify
all persons from ever being call'd to an account for putting us on shore,
or leaving us behind, contrary to our inclinations. Witness our hands, on
board the Speedwell schooner, in the latitude 50 deg. 40' S. this 8th day of
November, 1741. Which was signed by the following people, viz.

Mat. Langley, gunner's mate
John Russel, armourer
George Smith, cook's mate
William Callicutt, washerman
John Williamson, marine
John McLeod, boatswain's servant
John Hart, joiner
Joseph Turner, captain's servant
Luke Lyon, gunner's servant
Rich. Phipps, boatswain's mate
Henry Mortimer, marine.
Witness, John