TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY;

TO THE

ELDER BRETHREN AND CORPORATION OF
THE TRINITY HOUSE;

TO THE

HONOURABLE THE EAST-INDIA COMPANY;

AND TO THE

MERCHANTS, UNDERWRITERS, AND SHIP-OWNERS

OF

GREAT BRITAIN;

THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED

BY THEIR FAITHFUL SERVANT,

CHRISTOPHER BIDEN.

MARCHANT, PRINTER, INGRAM-COURT.

PREFACE.

THE following pages exhibit such glaring proofs of insubordination, and unfold so much cause for alarm, that I have every confidence the most prejudiced person will yield to the necessity of our maritime interests being protected and governed by an efficient code of laws. Imperious necessity has lifted the hand of power against mutiny and outrageous revolt, and by a prompt display of firmness these evils have been quelled; but let the imagination dwell upon the horrors of a conflict between a commander and his officers and a mutinous crew, where the numbers are greatly disproportioned, and the scene of action the confined space of a ship's decks, without any well defined or legal authority to guide the one party or the other! Surely, then, the true friends

of humanity will advocate the cause of due order and control!

I do not pretend to deny that the reins of discipline have been too rigorously held at times; but, I fearlessly deny the right of any class of seamen presuming or daring to dictate to their commander and officers. Their line of proceeding, when aggrieved, is marked by that manly appeal to the quarter-deck—to their captain, whose duty it is to protect the meanest under his command from wrong and oppression: should he venture to steer an opposite course, and deviate from impartial justice, then must he abide the consequences before a higher tribunal.—“ Temper justice with mercy,” should be the undeviating principle of his conduct.

"White is the glassy deck, without a stain,

Where on the watch the staid Lieutenant walks:
Look on that part which sacred doth remain
For the lone chieftain, who majestic stalks,
Silent and fear'd by all-not oft he talks
With aught beneath him, if he would preserve
That strict restraint, which broken, ever balks
Conquest and Fame: but Britons rarely swerve

From law, however stern, which tends their strength to nerve."