If, on the contrary, you were concerned in such a conspiracy against your commander, I shall be as firmly persuaded _his_ conduct was the occasion of it; but, alas! could any occasion justify so atrocious an attempt to destroy a number of our fellow-creatures?
No, my ever dearest brother, nothing but conviction from your own mouth can possibly persuade me, that you would commit an action in the smallest degree inconsistent with honour and duty; and the circumstance of your having swam off to the _Pandora_ on her arrival at Otaheite (which filled us with joy to which no words can do justice), is sufficient to convince all who know you, that you certainly staid behind either by force or from views of preservation.
'How strange does it seem to me that I am now engaged in the delightful task of writing to you.

Alas! my beloved brother, two years ago I never expected again to enjoy such a felicity, and even yet I am in the most painful uncertainty whether you are alive.

Gracious God, grant that we may be at length blessed by your return I but, alas! the _Pandora's_ people have been long expected, and are not even yet arrived.

Should any accident have happened, after all the miseries you have already suffered, the poor gleam of hope with which we have been lately indulged, will render our situation ten thousand times more insupportable than if time had inured us to your loss.

I send this to the care of Mr.Hayward, of Hackney, father to the young gentleman you so often mention in your letters while you were on board the _Bounty_, and who went out as third lieutenant of the _Pandora_--a circumstance which gave us infinite satisfaction, as you would, on entering the _Pandora_, meet your old friend.