Epigraph
GEORGE Vicount TORRINGTON,
Admiral and Commander in Chief of his
Majesty’s Fleet, and Knight of the Most
Honorable Order of the Bath.
Lords Commissioners for executing
the Office of High Admiral of Great
Britain, &c.
Note
Your Lordships are intrusted by the greatest and best of Kings, with the important Office of directing the whole Navy of Great-Britain; the strongest safe-guard to all we possess and injoy. Since therefore all maritime affairs are under your influence and authority, I trust your Lordships will not refuse to accept the answer of one, whose accusation in print hath already been addrest to your Honorable Board. I had the happiness of being several years a purser in the Navy, tho afterwards unfortunately ingaged under the command of captain Shelvocke in this cruising expedition. As his pretended narrative is intirely a deception, and his whole conduct an indignity to his country, I thought it my duty to give your Lordships a genuine account of the man as well as our voyage; which I have done truly and impartially, not without hopes it may prove entertaining. If, my Lords, I am never to meet with any recompense for my hardships, I have yet the satisfaction of asserting the honor of his Majesty’s commission, defending the cause of some of his injured subjects; and being devoted to his perpetual interest, to subscribe my self,
Your Lordships
most humble and
most faithful servant,
Note
Page 80. line 7. read marine. p. 145. l. 17. r. coco-nuts. p. 149. l. 12. for twenty four r. two of our. p. 160. l. 24. r. made a sail. p. 286. l. 21. r. after taking off. p. 311. l. 3. r. Glocester.