In a more modern publication, many abusive epithets have been bestowed on Captain Edwards, and observations made on the conduct of this officer highly injurious to his reputation, in regard to his inhuman treatment of, and disgraceful acts of cruelty towards, his prisoners, which it is to be feared have but too much foundation in fact.
The account of his proceedings, rendered by himself to the Admiralty, is vague and unsatisfactory; and had it not been for the journal of Morrison, and a circumstantial letter of young Heywood to his mother, no record would have remained of the unfeeling conduct of this officer towards his unfortunate prisoners, who were treated with a rigour which could not be justified on any ground of necessity or prudence.
The _Pandora_ anchored in Matavai Bay on the 23rd March 1791.

Captain Edwards, in his narrative, states that Joseph Coleman, the armourer of the _Bounty_, attempted to come on board before the _Pandora_ had anchored; that on reaching the ship, he began to make inquiries of him after the _Bounty_ and her people, and that he seemed to be ready to give him any information that was required; that the next who came on board, just after the ship had anchored, were Mr.Peter Heywood and Mr.
Stewart, before any boat had been sent on shore; that they were brought down to his cabin, when, after some conversation, Heywood asked if Mr.
Hayward (midshipman of the _Bounty_, but now lieutenant of the _Pandora_) was on board, as he had heard that he was; that Lieutenant Hayward, whom he sent for, treated Heywood.

with a sort of contemptuous look, and began to enter into conversation with him respecting the _Bounty_; but Edwards ordered him to desist, and called in the sentinel to take the prisoners into safe custody, and to put them in irons; that four other mutineers soon made their appearance; and that, from them and some of the natives, he learned that the rest of the _Bounty's_ people had built a schooner, with which they had sailed the day before from Matavai Bay to the north-west part of the island.
He goes on to say that, on this intelligence, he despatched the two lieutenants, Corner and Hayward, with the pinnace and launch, to endeavour to intercept her.

They soon got sight of her and chased her out to sea, but the schooner gained so much upon them, and night coming on, they were compelled to give up the pursuit and return to the ship.
It was soon made known, however, that she had returned to Paparre, on which they were again despatched in search of her.

Lieutenant Corner had taken three of the mutineers, and Hayward, on arriving at Paparre, found the schooner there, but the mutineers had abandoned her and fled to the mountains.