In pursuing my inquiries into the new topic suggested by Mr. Falconbridge, I learnt that two of three of the seamen of the ship Thomas, which had been arrived now nearly a year from the Coast, were in a very crippled and deplorable state.  I accordingly went to see them.  One of them had been attacked by a fever, arising from circumstances connected with these voyages.  The inflammation, which had proceeded from it, had reached his eyes.  It could not be dispersed; and the consequence was, that he was then blind.  The second was lame.  He had badly ulcerated legs, and appeared to be very weak.  The third was a mere spectre.  I think he was the most pitiable object I ever saw.  I considered him as irrecoverably gone.  They all complained to me of their bad usage on board the Thomas.  They said they had heard of my being in Bristol, and they hoped I would not leave it, without inquiring into the murder of William Lines.

On inquiring who William Lines was, they informed me that he had been one of the crew of the same ship, and that all on board believed that he had been killed by the chief mate; but they themselves had not been present when the blows were given him.  They had not seen him till afterwards; but their shipmates had told them of his cruel treatment, and they knew that soon afterwards he had died.

In the course of the next day, the mother of Lines, who lived in Bristol, came to me and related the case.  I told her there was no evidence as to the fact, for that I had seen three seamen, who could not speak to it from their own knowledge.  She said, there were four others then in Bristol who could.  I desired her to fetch them.  When they arrived I examined each separately, and cross-examined them in the best manner I was able.  I could find no variation in their account, and I was quite convinced that the murder had taken place.  The mother was then importunate that I should take up the case.  I was too much affected by the narration I had heard to refuse her wholly, and yet I did not promise that I would.  I begged a little time to consider of it.  During this I thought of consulting my friend Burges.  But I feared he would throw cold water upon it, as he had done in the case of the captain of the Alfred.  I remembered well what he had then said to me, and yet I felt a strong disposition to proceed.  For the trade was still going on.  Every day, perhaps, some new act of barbarity was taking place.  And one example, if made, might counteract the evil for a time.  I seemed, therefore to incline to stir in this matter, and thought, if I should get into any difficulty about it, it would be better to do it without consulting Mr. Burges, than, after having done it, to fly as it were in his face.  I then sent for the woman, and told her, that she might appear with the witnesses at the Common Hall, where the magistrates usually sat on a certain day.