Among the many anxious friends and family connexions of the Heywoods, was Commodore Pasley, to whom this affectionate young lady addressed herself on the melancholy occasion; and the following is the reply she received from this officer.

     ’Sheerness, June 8th, 1792.

’Would to God, my dearest Nessy, that I could rejoice with you on the early prospect of your brother’s arrival in England.  One division of the Pandora’s people has arrived, and now on board the Vengeance (my ship).  Captain Edwards with the remainder, and all the prisoners late of the Bounty, in number ten (four having been drowned on the loss of that ship), are daily expected.  They have been most rigorously and closely confined since taken, and will continue so, no doubt, till Bligh’s arrival.  You have no chance of seeing him, for no bail can be offered.  Your intelligence of his swimming off on the Pandoras arrival is not founded; a man of the name of Coleman swam off ere she anchored—­your brother and Mr. Stewart the next day; this last youth, when the Pandora was lost, refused to allow his irons to be taken off to save his life.

’I cannot conceal it from you, my dearest Nessy, neither is it proper I should—­your brother appears, by all accounts, to be the greatest culprit of all, Christian alone excepted.  Every exertion, you may rest assured, I shall use to save his life, but on trial I have no hope of his not being condemned.  Three of the ten who are expected are mentioned, in Bligh’s narrative, as men detained against their inclination.  Would to God your brother had been one of that number!  I will not distress you more by enlarging on this subject; as intelligence arises on their arrival, you shall be made acquainted.  Adieu! my dearest Nessy—­present my affectionate remembrances to your mother and sisters, and believe me always, with the warmest affection,—­Your uncle,

     THOS.  PASLEY.’

How unlike is this from the letter of Bligh! while it frankly apprises this amiable lady of the real truth of the case, without disguise, as it was then understood to be from Mr. Bligh’s representations, it assures her of his best exertions to save her brother’s life.  Every reader of sensibility will sympathise in the feeling displayed in her reply.

     ’Isle of Man, 22nd June, 1792.

’Harassed by the most torturing suspense, and miserably wretched as I have been, my dearest uncle, since the receipt of your last, conceive, if it is possible, the heartfelt joy and satisfaction we experienced yesterday morning, when, on the arrival of the packet, the dear delightful letter from our beloved Peter (a copy of which I send you enclosed) was brought to us.  Surely, my excellent friend, you will agree with me in thinking there could not be a stronger proof of his innocence and worth, and that it must prejudice every person who reads it most powerfully