These men were lent, among others, to the brig, by order of Admiral Graeme.

From her it was that they absented themselves, and I reported it to the Admiralty.

I had been so particular as to send with the men a request to the commanding officer to permit none of them to go on shore, but Lieutenant Fowler pointed out to him such of them as might be most depended on to go in boats upon duty.
Nothing more could have been done on our part to prevent desertion, and if blame rests anywhere it must be upon the officers of the Advice.

The three men were volunteers for this voyage, but having gotten on shore with money in their pockets most probably stayed so long that they became afraid to return." On the subject of discipline he said: "It is only a duty to myself to assert that the discipline and good order on board the Investigator is exceeded in very few ships of her size, and is at least twice what it was under her former commander.

I beg to refer to Lieutenant Fowler on this subject, who knows the ship intimately both as the Xenophon and Investigator.