Note 28 — Chapter VII
Reading edition
This captain had long been noted for his truculent conduct. Here is a letter which the postmasters-general had written to him two or three years before:—
General Post Office, May 13, 1704.
Captain Chenal—We received the mail from Portugal brought over by you in the Mansbridge packet boat which arriv'd here on Wednesday last. We yesterday received your letter and journal of the said voyage, with the certificate from the sailors who remained in the service the last voyage. We are concern'd to find such differences among persons imploy'd under us, but do think the best way to compose them is to advise every one to mind their proper business and duty. We do think you may keep all your officers and sailors to strict duty without so rugged a treatment as is complain'd of. As we are desirous of good discipline, so are we of good agreement, to which we would have our agent and yourself to contribute your endeavours.
We herewith send you a specimen of a method to keep an abstract of your journal by which you would save yourself and us much trouble by observing.—We are, your loving friends,
R. Cotton. T. Frankland.