so great a regard for an Englishman, that whilst he had any
thing for himself, we should not want, for which we thank'd him heartily.
This governor is certainly a gentleman of a noble generous spirit, of
exceeding humanity and goodness, and I believe him to have a sincere regard
for an Englishman.

March the 9th, this morning Mr Jones went over with me to the north side,
to make an agreement for six people to go to St Catharine's; while we were
here, the governor received letters from St Catharine's, which gave an
account of four vessels on their passage for this port; on the news of this
we put by our journey: It was very lucky we had not set out on this journey
before we heard the news; for on the nineteenth, the vessels for Rio
Janeiro arrived, and brought an account that the Severn and Pearl were
sail'd from thence for the island of Barbadoes. Those vessels not only
brought the soldiers provisions, but also a pardon.

On the 20th, the brigadier arriv'd, and had all the soldiers drawn up,
where their pardon was read to them: He acquainted them with what money was
come, which was not above a third part of their arrears, but the remainder
was on the passage. The money he had for them should be paid directly, as
far as it would go, if they would take it; but they cry'd out with one
voice, The whole or none, and a great disturbance there was, some was for
revolting to the king of Spain, some began to change their notes, and were
for taking part of the money, and the rest insisted upon the whole. To
quell this disturbance, the commandant, whom they look'd upon more than the
brigadier, or the governor, used his utmost endeavours. They told the
commandant they were no longer soldiers than while they were in the king's
pay, and let those who are for the king, draw off one way by themselves;
you are our commander, we trust in you to answer for us, what you do we
will stand by with our lives: On which the commandant deliver'd his command
up, shouldering his firelock, and took the place of a common soldier,
telling them, since the king was so good as to pardon them, he thought it
his duty to accept it. The brigadier was so well pleased with the behaviour
of the commandant, that he ran to him, took him in his arms, and embraced
him: The rest of the soldiers follow'd the example of their late
commandant, delivering their respective commands up to their proper
officers. This day put an end to the disturbance and confusion which had