La Virginie was quite ready for sea, and the whole of his lordship’s effects were embarked on board her, when the destination of both was changed, in consequence of the mutiny at Spithead, and other circumstances of a political nature. Unsuspicious of such an event as the former being about to take place, Captain Hunt was on shore attending to his private business, and preparing to receive the Marquis, when the general cheering took place, at Spithead, and the flag of Lord Bridport was lowered by his officers, under a sense of shame to see it accompanied by the symbol of mutiny, which the delegates had hoisted on visiting the Royal George.
During the conferences that took place between the Board of Admiralty and the ringleaders, the greater part of la Virginie’s crew were obedient and respectful to Lieutenant Evans, with whom many of them had sailed in other ships previous to their being drafted into that frigate. Their conduct after the renewal of the mutiny was also deserving of the highest praise; for on being directed to follow the fleet to St. Helen’s, they requested him to give his orders as usual, promising that every thing should be carried on according to his wishes, and expressing their regret that they durst not disobey the mandate of the delegates (as to la Virginie’s removal from Spithead) there being about 25 or 30 disaffected fellows on board, who reported everything to them, and possessed sufficient influence to get any man taken out of the ship and flogged who should venture to declare his principles different to their own. As a proof of the sincerity of those loyal but overawed men, one or other of them regularly reported to Lieutenant Evans, before 4 A.M., the whole of what had passed at the seditious meeting of the preceding night. This exemplary behaviour on their part was greatly promoted by the conduct of a gunner’s mate, whose life Lieutenant Evans had saved by jumping overboard after him, for which humane action the poor fellow was ever afterwards grateful; and as he happened to be a great favorite with his shipmates in general, his counsel was always listened to with very great attention. Of the few insubordinate characters on board la
