“Ship, City of Edinburgh,
                                        “Lima, Oct. 20, 1810. 
     Sir,—­

I am very sorry to have the painful task of introducing myself to
you, with an account of the loss of your ship Boyd, Captain
Thompson.

Towards the end of last year I was employed in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, in procuring a cargo of spars for the Cape of Good Hope.  About the middle of December the natives brought me an account of a ship’s being taken at Whangaroa, a harbour about fifty miles to the N.W.  At first we were disposed to doubt the truth of this report, but it every day became more probable, from the variety of circumstances they informed us of; and which were so connected as appeared impossible for them to invent.  Accordingly, about the end of the month, when we had finished our cargo, although it was a business of some danger, I determined to go round.

“I set out with three armed boats:  we experienced very bad weather, and after a narrow escape were glad to return to the ship.  As we arrived in a most miserable condition, I had then relinquished all idea of the enterprise; but having recruited my strength and spirits, I was shocked at the idea of leaving any of my countrymen in the hands of savages, and determined to make a second attempt.  We had this time better weather, and reached the harbour without any difficulty.  Whangaroa is formed as follows:—­First, a large outer bay, with an island at its entrance; in the bottom of this bay is seen a narrow opening, which appears terminated at the distance of a quarter of a mile; but, upon entering it, it is seen to expand into two large basins, at least as secure as any of the docks on the banks of the Thames, and capable of containing (I think) the whole British navy.  We found the wreck of the Boyd in shoal water, at the top of the harbour, a most melancholy picture of wanton mischief.  The natives had cut her cables, and towed her up the harbour till she had grounded, and then set her on fire, and burnt her to the water’s edge.  In her hold were seen the remains of her cargo—­coals, salted seal skins, and planks.  Her guns, iron, standards, etc., were lying on the top, having fallen in when her decks were consumed.

“The cargo must have been very valuable; but it appears that the captain, anxious to make a better voyage, had come to that port for the purpose of filling up with spars for the Cape of Good Hope.

“Not to tire you with the minutia of the business, I recovered from the natives a woman, two children, and a boy of the name of Davies, one of your apprentices, who were the only survivors.  I found also the accompanying papers, which, I hope, may prove of service to you.  I did all this by gentle measures, and you will admit that bloodshed and revenge would have answered no good purpose.  The ship was taken the third morning