"Lieut.-Col. Tench, his Majesty's
ship Princess Royal."
"Resolution, Bantry Bay, 15th Dec. 1801.
"Sir,
"I hope you will pardon the liberty we take in addressing you, but as we understand that some ships companies have disobeyed the just commands of their Officers, and knowing the dreadful consequences that formerly attended similar practices. For our parts we abhor the idea, and we hope you will inform Captain Gardiner, likewise the Admiral, that it is our firm resolution, to support and maintain our Officers in any thing which they may think proper, and in that which is best calculated to promote the interest of our King and Country. I have the honor of subscribing myself, in behalf of the detachment of Marines,
"Your most obedient humble servant,
"William Heans, Serjeant.
"Captain Forshall, Marines."
The steady allegiance of my corps was such, throughout this period of indiscipline, that the following testimonies were the honorable result: "The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having expressed their high satisfaction of the good conduct of the Marines of several ships, under my command with you at Beerhaven, in declaring their abhorrence of the mutinous proceedings which had lately taken place at the anchorage, and of their having come forth on that occasion, so much to the honor of their Corps, and interests of their Country, I am to desire you will be pleased to communicate the same to them, and assure them that I feel highly gratified on the present occasion.
"(Signed) William Cornwallis.
"Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell, &c. &c."