Tuesday the 13th, we sent the barge to the deserters, with Mr S----w, the mate, to know if they were willing to tarry, and go with the captain to the northward, to acquaint them what provision and necessaries should be allow'd 'em: They readily agreed to tarry. On the return of the boat, deliver'd to the captain the share of provision for the deserters, and sundry necessaries, as under-mentioned, viz.

Six hand-grenadoes, five half barrels of powder, two caggs of musket-balls, Lieutenant H----n's pistols and gun, one pair of pistols for the captain, twelve musket-flints, six pistol-flints, sundry carpenter's tools, half a pint of sweet oil, two swords of the captain's own, five muskets, twelve pistol balls, one bible, one azimuth compass, one quadrant, and one Gunter's scale.

Provision deliver'd to the captain, surgeon, and Lieutenant K----n, with eight deserters, which last are to be at half allowance of the quantity made out to the people, which make the whole number seven at whole allowance.

To the captain, surgeon, and Lieutenant H----n, six pieces of beef, six pieces of pork, and ninety pound of flour; for the deserters, eight pieces of beef, eight pieces of pork, one hundred weight of flour.

As soon as the above things were delivered, we got ready for sailing. I went and took my leave of the captain; he repeated his injunction, that at my return to England I would impartially relate all proceedings: He spoke to me in the most tender and affectionate manner, and, as a token of his friendship and regard for me, desired me to accept of a suit of his best wearing apparel: At parting he gave me his hand with a great deal of chearfulness, wishing me well and safe to England. This was the last time I ever saw the unfortunate Captain C----p. However, we hope to see him again in England, that Mr Cummins and myself may be freed from some heavy imputations to our prejudice, laid on us by the gentleman who succeeded him in command, and who, having an opportunity of arriving before us in England, not only in the places he touched at abroad, but at home, has blackened us with the greatest calumnies, and by an imperfect narrative, has not only traduced us, but made the whole affair so dark and mystical, that till the captain's arrival the l----s of the a----y will not decide for or against us. But if that unfortunate captain never returns to his country, let us do so much justice to his character, to declare that he was a gentleman possessed of many virtues: He was an excellent seaman himself, and loved a seaman; as for personal bravery, no man, had a larger share of it; even when a prisoner he preserved the dignity of a commander, no misfortune could dispirit or deject him, and fear was a weakness he was entirely a stranger to; the loss of the ship was the loss of him; he knew how to govern while he was a commander on board, but when things were brought to confusion and disorder, he thought to establish his command ashore by his courage, and to suppress the least insult on his authority on the first occasion; an instance of this was seen on the boatswain's first appearing ashore--shooting Mr Cozens, and treating him in the manner he did after his confinement, was highly resented by the people, who soon got the power in their own hands; the officers only had the name, and they were often compelled, for the preservation of their lives, to comply sometimes with their most unreasonable demands; and it is a miracle, amidst the wildness and distraction of the people, that there was no more bloodshed.

At eleven in the forenoon, the whole body of people embarked, to the number of eighty-one souls, fifty-nine on board the vessel, on board the cutter twelve, and in the barge ten. At noon got under sail, the wind at N.W. by W. The captain, surgeon, and Mr H----n, being on the shore side, we gave them three cheers, which they returned. Coming out of Wager's Bay, split the foresail, and very narrowly escaped the rocks; with the assistance of the barge and our own oars, tow'd her clear, and bore away into a large sandy bay, on the south side of the lagoon, which we called by the name of the Speedwell Bay. At four in the afternoon, anchored in ten fathom fine sand, the barge and cutter went ashore, there not being room on board the boat to lodge the people.

Wednesday the 14th, fresh gales at S.W. and W., with rain. At three this afternoon, being fair weather, weigh'd, and came to sail to take a cruize up the lagoon, to try the vessel, it being smooth water she work'd very well; after three or four trips returned, and anchor'd where we came from.

"These are to certify the right honourable the lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of Great Britain, That we, whose names are under-mentioned, do beg leave to acquaint your lordships that Captain David Cheap, our late commander in his majesty's ship Wager, having publicly declared, that he will never go off this spot, at his own request desires to be left behind; but Captain Pemberton, of his majesty's land forces, having confined him a prisoner for the death of Mr Henry Cozens, midshipman, with Lieutenant Hamilton, for breaking his confinement, did insist on delivering them up on the beach to the charge of Lieutenant Beans, but he, with his officers and people, consulting the ill consequences that might attend carrying two prisoners off in so small a vessel, and for so long and tedious a passage as we are likely to have, and that they might have opportunities of acting such things in secret as may prove destructive to the whole body; and also in regard to the chief article of life, as the greatest part of the people must be obliged at every place we stop, to go on shore in search of provisions, and there being now no less than eighty-one souls in this small vessel, which we hope to be delivered in, we therefore, to prevent any difficulties to be added to the unforeseen we have to encounter with, think proper to agree, and in order to prevent murder, to comply with Captain David Cheap's request: The surgeon also begs leave to be left with him. Dated on board the Speedwell schooner, in Cheap's Bay, this 14th day of October, 1741.

Robert Beans, lieutenant
Thomas Clark, master
John King, boatswain
John Bulkeley, gunner
John Cummins, master
Robert Elliot, surgeon's mate
John Jones, master's mate
John Snow, ditto
Captain Pemberton, of his majesty's land forces
Vincent Oakley, surgeon of ditto."

Thursday the 15th, this morning it being calm, made a signal for the boats to come off, by firing five muskets. At day-light came to sail, with the wind at W. by N. It blowing hard, and a great swell, the vessel would not work, therefore we were obliged to put into a small bay, lying S.W. of Harvey's Bay, where we had very good shelter, there being a large ledge of rocks without us, which broke the sea off. At eleven we sent the barge to Cheap's Bay, for what canvass could be found serviceable, having left a sufficient quantity behind to supply us with sails, in case we wanted 'em. Went in the barge the Hon. John Byron, at his own request, Alexander Campbell, midshipman; William Harvey, quarter-gunner; David Buckley, ditto; William Rose, quarter-master; Richard Noble, ditto; Peter Plastow, captain's steward; Joseph Clinch, seaman, and Rowland Crusset, marine. This afternoon the carpenter went ashore in the cutter, with several of the people, to look for provender. Shot several geese, and other sea-fowl. Rainy weather. Wind W.N.W.