I have no doubt of the truth of your brother's narrative; the master, boatswain, gunner, and carpenter, late of the _Bounty_, I have seen, and have the pleasure to assure you that they are all favourable, and corroborate what he says.

That _fellow_, Captain Edwards, whose inhuman rigour of confinement I shall never forget, I have likewise seen; he cannot deny that Peter avowed himself late of the _Bounty_ when he came voluntarily aboard; this is a favourable circumstance.

I have been at the Admiralty, and read over all the depositions taken and sent home by Bligh and his officers from Batavia, likewise the court-martial on himself; in none of which appears anything against Peter.

As soon as Lieutenant Hayward arrives with the remainder of the _Pandora's_ crew, the court-martial is to take place.

I shall certainly attend, and we must have an able counsellor to assist, for I will not deceive you, my dear Nessy, however favourable circumstances may appear, our martial law is severe; by the tenor of it, the man who stands neuter is equally guilty with him who lifts his arm against his captain in such cases.