have settled the affair to every one's satisfaction. But scarcely any one of the remaining seven articles was admissible, and most of them were frivolous and unnecessary.

On the 22d the admiralty replied to the seamen, pointing out how far the legislature had already complied with their wishes, refusing to accede to any further demands, and promising forgiveness if they would return to their duty. This answer served but to exasperate the delegates, who declared that nothing could be settled until three of the board of admiralty came down to Sheerness. On the following day the mutineers struck Vice-admiral Buckner's flag, hoisting, in its stead, that dreadful emblem of mutiny, the red or bloody flag; and, in order to concentrate the scene of their operations, compelled all the ships which lay near Sheerness to drop down to the Great Nore. On the 24th the offer of pardon was repeated, and again rejected. The delegates frequently went on shore, and, headed by Parker, marched in procession, to the great dismay of the inhabitants : they also sent deputations up the river and elsewhere, inviting the crews of other ships to join them. Many did so, including a part of the North-sea fleet under Admiral Duncan.

In this alarming state of affairs, a committee from the admiralty, on the 29th, went to Sheerness. The delegates were sent for, and every conciliatory measure tried, but in vain. The mutineers moored their ships in a line across the river, and, detained every merchant vessel bound up or down. The seamen, at length, began to perceive their desperate situation ; and, after adopting various expedients and committing several enormities, became deterred by the active measures that were pursuing on shore to reduce them to obedience. They deputed captain the Earl of Northesk, of the Monmouth 64, to endeavour to effect a reconciliation with government. The government, however, was firm : and just as force was about to be applied, symptoms of disunion among the mutineers raised hopes that the confederacy was working its own dissolution.

It is a singular fact that on the 4th of June, the late king's birthday, the whole fleet evinced its loyalty, by firing a royal salute and displaying the colours usual upon such occasions, the red flag being struck, during the ceremony, on board every ship except the Sandwich. In a day or two afterwards several of the ships deserted the rebels ; and went for protection either up the Thames, or under the guns of the fort at Sheerness. By the 13th the red flag had disappeared from every ship's mast-head : and the crews in general, intimated a wish to surrender, provided a pardon was granted. At length, on the following morning, the crew of the Sandwich carried the ship under the guns at Sheerness, and quietly allowed Mr. Parker to accompany on shore a guard of soldiers which Vice-admiral Buckner had sent to arrest him. To make short of the business this man was tried, convicted, and executed ; as were many of

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