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with the sorrow we felt on your account, was trifling and insignificant; that misfortune made all others light, and to see you once more returned, and safely restored to us, will be the summit of all earthly happiness.

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Farewell, my most beloved brother! God grant this may soon be put into your hands! Perhaps at this moment you are arrived in England, and I may soon have the dear delight of again beholding you. My mamma, brothers, and sisters, join with me in every sentiment of love and tenderness. Write to us immediately, my ever-loved Peter, and may the Almighty preserve you until you bless with your presence your fondly affectionate family, and particularly your unalterably faithful friend and sister,

(Signed)

NESSY HEYWOOD."*

* Previous to the writing of this letter, the following copy of verses shews how anxiously this young lady's mind was engaged on the unhappy circumstances under which her brother was placed : "On the tedious and mournful Absence of a most beloved BROTHER, who was in the BOUNTY with Captain BLIGH at the Time of the FATAL MUTINY, which happened April 28th, 1789, in the South Seas, and who, instead of returning with the Boat when she left the Ship, staid behind.

'Tell me, thou busy, flatt'ring Telltale, why

Why flow these tears-why heaves this deep-felt sigh?

Why is all joy from my sad bosom flown,

Why lost that cheerfulness I thought my own?

Why seek I now in solitude for ease,

Which once was centred in a wish to please,
When ev'ry hour in joy and gladness past,

And each new day shone brighter than the last;

Among the many anxious friends of the Heywoods was Commodore Pasley, to whom this affectionate young lady addressed herself on the melancholy occasion; and the following is the reply which she received from this officer:

'Sheerness, June 8, 1792. 'Would to God, my dearest Nessy, that I could rejoice with you on the early prospect of your brother's arrival in England! One division of the Pandora's people are arrived, and now on board the

When in society I loved to join ;

When to enjoy, and give delight, was mine?
Now-sad reverse! in sorrow wakes each day,
And grief's sad tones inspire each plaintive lay:
Alas! too plain these mournful tears can tell
The pangs of woe my lab'ring bosom swell!
Thou best of brothers-friend, companion, guide,
Joy of my youth, my honour, and my pride!
Lost is all peace-all happiness to me,

And fled all comfort, since deprived of thee.'

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'Though guiltless thou of mutiny or blame,

And free from aught which could disgrace thy name;
Though thy pure soul, in honour's footsteps train'd,
Was never yet by disobedience stain'd;

Yet is thy fame exposed to slander's wound,

And fell suspicion whispering around.

In vain to those who knew thy worth and truth,
Who watch'd each op'ning virtue of thy youth;
When noblest principles inform'd thy mind,
Where sense and sensibility were join'd;
Love to inspire, to charm, to win each heart,
And ev'ry tender sentiment impart;

Thy outward form adorn'd with ev'ry grace;
With beauty's softest charms thy heav'nly face,
Where sweet expression beaming ever proved
The index of that soul, by all beloved;

Vengeance (my ship). Captain Edwards with the remainder, and all the prisoners late of the Bounty, in number ten, four having been drowned on the loss of that ship, are daily expected. They have been most rigorously and closely confined since taken, and will continue so, I have no doubt, till Bligh's arrival. You have no chance of seeing him, for no bail can be offered. Your intelligence of his swimming off on the Pandora's arrival is not founded. A man of the name of Coleman came off ere she anchored; your brother and Mr. Stewart

Thy wit so keen, thy genius form'd to soar,
By fancy wing'd, new science to explore;
Thy temper, ever gentle, good, and kind,
Where all but guilt an advocate could find:
To those who know this character was thine,
(And in this truth assenting numbers join,)
How vain th' attempt to fix a crime on thee,

Which thou disdain'st-from which each thought is free!
No, my loved brother, ne'er will I believe

Thy seeming worth was meant but to deceive;

Still will I think (each circumstance though strange)
That thy firm principles could never change;
That hopes of preservation urged thy stay,
Or force, which those resistless must obey.

If this is error, let me still remain

In error wrapp❜d-nor wake to truth again!
Come, then, sweet Hope, with all thy train of joy,
Nor let Despair each rapt'rous thought destroy;
Indulgent Heav'n, in pity to our tears,

At length will bless a parent's sinking years;
Again shall I behold thy lovely face,

By manhood form'd, and ripen'd ev'ry grace;
Again I'll press thee to my anxious breast,
And ev'ry sorrow shall be hush'd to rest.

Isle of Man, Feb. 25th, 1792.'

'NESSY HEYWOOD.

next day. This last youth, when the Pandora was lost, refused to allow his irons to be taken off, to save his life. I cannot conceal it from you, my dearest Nessy, neither is it proper I should-your brother appears by all accounts to be the greatest culprit of all, Christian alone excepted. Every exertion, you may rest assured, I shall use to save his life, but on trial I have no hope of his not being condemned. Three of the ten who are expected are mentioned in Bligh's narrative as men detained against their inclination. Would to God your brother had been one of that number! I will not distress you more by enlarging on this subject. As intelligence arises you shall be made acquainted with it. Adieu, my dearest Nessy. Present my affectionate remembrances to your mother and sisters, and believe me always, with the warmest affection, • Your uncle,

THOMAS PASLEY.'

In the same kind tone to Nessy, but containing the same or still darker views of Peter's connexion with the mutiny, are letters from J. C. Curwen, Esq., and J. M. Heywood, Esq., to both of whom she applied for aid. • His extreme youth,' says the former, is much in his favour, and I wish to God, for your sakes, it may extenuate a fault, the extent of which I dare say was not foreseen or considered. It would be cruel to flatter you; and however painful, I think it just to say, that unless some

favourable circumstances should appear, any

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interest which can be made will be of little avail.' Though you have every reason to believe that he has been in this instance drawn aside to join in the mutiny,' says Mr. Heywood, 'the goodness of his heart will

I fear avail him little when he is convicted of a crime, which, viewed in a political light, is of the blackest dye, highly aggravated by the circumstances of cruelty to his commander and the crew who were driven from the ship.'

By one of that division of the Pandora's men, whose arrival in the Vengeance is mentioned by Commodore Pasley, the letter from Peter, containing an account of himself up to his arrival at Batavia, must have been delivered to Mrs. Heywood. On its receipt Miss N. Heywood thus writes to Commodore Pasley; and every reader of sensibility will sympathize in the feeling she displays:

Isle of Man, 22d June, 1792.

Harassed by the most torturing suspense, and miserably wretched as I have been, my dearest uncle, since the receipt of your last, conceive, if it is possible, the heartfelt joy and satisfaction we experienced yesterday morning, when, on the arrival of the packet, the dear delightful letter from our beloved Peter (a copy of which I send you inclosed) was brought to us. Surely, myexcellent friend, you will agree with me in thinking there could not be a stronger proof of his innocence and

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