orders were so far discretional, that if the squadron was disabled, care was to be taken not to endanger his majesty’s ships.  Yes, that (says the captain) was settled at St Julian’s:  Notwithstanding what has been said, gentlemen, I am agreeable to take any chance with you, and to go any way; but would have you consider of it, and defer your determination till all is ready to go off the spot.  I then told the captain, You have known, sir, from the time you saw the proposal, that the people are uneasy, and the work is at a stand, and in this situation things will be until this affair is settled; therefore the sooner you resolve the better.  The captain replied, I design to have a consultation among my officers:  Have you any more objections to make?  I answered, Yes, sir, one more; which is, when you go from hence, you are not to weigh, come to an anchor, or alter course, without consulting your officers.  The captain said, Gentlemen, I was your commander till the ship parted, or as long as any stores or provisions were getting out of her.  We told him, we had always taken care to obey his orders in the strictest manner, which he allowed us to have done; and he added, You were the officers that I placed my whole dependence in.  We answered, Sir, we will support you with our lives, as long as you suffer reason to rule:  And then we parted.  After this consultation, the captain seldom came out of his tent, which occasioned. great disturbances among the people.

Friday the 7th, the wind at W.N.W. with rain.  This day the navigators worked the bearings and distance along shore, from one place to another, to know the true distance:  Hereupon it was agreed to proceed through the Streights of Magellan, according to Sir John Narborough’s directions, which give us great encouragement to go that way.  Captain P——­n drawed his men up, and dismissed ’em again.  Great uneasiness among the people.

Saturday the 8th, this morning went to the lieutenant, for him to acquaint the captain all his officers were ready to give sufficient reasons for going through the Streights of Magellan, desiring a consultation might be held in the afternoon.  At three o’clock the captain sent for me and Mr Cummins; when we came, the master and boatswain were sent for, but they were gone in search of subsistence, as limpetts, muscles, &c.  The captain said, Gentlemen, I don’t doubt but you have considered upon the business you are come about; therefore I am determined to take my fate with you, or where the spirit of the people leads, and shall use my best endeavours for their preservation; but I am afraid of meeting contrary winds, for after the sun has crossed the Line we must expect to meet ’em.  I made answer, By all accounts the wind hangs from N.W. to the S.W. above three parts of the year, which is in our favour.  Mr Cummins told him, There was fresh water to be got as well on one coast as the other, and if Sir John Narborough’s treatment was so ill in a profound peace, what must