He sent for me one day to inform me that several of the seamen, who had been sent out of Marsh Street into the Prince, which was then at Kingroad, and on the point of sailing to Africa for slaves, had, through fear of ill usage on the voyage, taken the boat and put themselves on shore.

He informed me, at the same time, that the seamen of the Africa, which was lying there also, and ready to sail on a like voyage, were not satisfied, for that they had been made to sign their articles of agreement without being permitted to see them.

To this he added, that Mr.Sheriff, one of the mates of the latter vessel, was unhappy, also, on this account.

Sheriff had been a mate in the West India trade, and was a respectable man in his line.

He had been enticed by the captain of the Africa, under the promise of peculiar advantages, to change his voyage.