LETTER LXVI.
To Jane Talbot.
The fear that what I have to communicate may be imparted
more abruptly and with false or exaggerated circumstances,
induces me to write to you.
Yesterday week, a ship arrived in this port from Batavia,
in which my husband's brother, Stephen Montford, came
passenger.
You will be terrified at these words; but calm your apprehensions.
Harry does not accompany him, it is true,
nor are we acquainted with his present situation.
The story of their unfortunate voyage cannot be minutely
related now. Suffice it to say that a wicked and turbulent
wretch, whom they shipped in the West Indies as mate, the
former dying on the voyage thither, gave rise, by his intrigues
among the crew, to a mutiny.
After a prosperous navigation and some stay at Nootka,
they prepared to cross the ocean to Asia. They pursued
the usual route of former traders, and after touching at the
Sandwich Islands, they made the land of Japan.
At this period the mutiny which had long been hatching,
broke out. The whole crew including the mate, joined the
conspiracy. Montford and my brother were the objects of
this conspiracy.
The original design was to murder them both and throw
their bodies into the sea, but this cruel proposal was thwarted
both by compassion and by policy, and it was resolved to
set my brother ashore on the first inhospitable land they
should meet, and retain Montford to assist them in the navigation
of the vessel, designing to destroy him when his services
should no longer be necessary.
This scheme was executed as soon as they came in sight
of an out-lying isle or dry sand bank, on the eastern coast
of Japan. Here they seized the two unsuspecting youths,
at day-break, while asleep in their births, and immediately
putting out their boat landed my brother on the shore, without
clothing or provisions of any kind. Montford petitioned
to share the fate of his friend, but they would not listen
to it.
Six days afterwards, they lighted on a Spanish ship
bound to Manilla, who was in want of water. A party of
the Spaniards came on board in search of some supply of
that necessary article.
On their coming, Montford was driven below and disabled
from giving, by his cries, any alarm. The sentinel who
guarded him, had received orders to keep him in that situation
till the visitants had departed. From some impulse of
humanity, or mistake of orders, the sentinel freed him
from restraint a few minutes earlier than had been intended,
and he got on deck before the departing strangers had gone
to any considerable distance from the ship. He immediately
leapt into the sea and made for the boat, to which,
being a very vigorous swimmer, he arrived in safety.
The mutineers, finding their victim had escaped, endeavored
to make the best of their way, but were soon overtaken
by the Spanish vessel, to whose officers Montford
made haste to explain the true state of affairs. They were
carried to Manilla, where Montford sold his vessel and cargo
on very advantageous terms. From thence, after many delays,
he got to Batavia, and from thence returned home.
I have thus given you, my friend, an imperfect account
of their misfortunes. I need not add that no tidings has
been received, or can reasonably be hoped ever to be received
of my brother.
I could not write on such a subject sooner. For some
days I had thoughts of being wholly silent on this news.
Indeed my emotions would not immediately permit me to
use the pen, but I have concluded, and it is my husband's
earnest advice, to tell you the whole truth.
Be not too much distressed, my sister, my friend. Fain
would I give you that consolation which I myself want. I
entreat you, let me hear from you soon, and tell me that
you are not very much afflicted. Yet I could not believe
you if you did. Write to me speedily, however.
