The young man must write such a letter of contrition as would be an acknowledgment of his great fault; and with a sincere promise, if his captain will intercede to prevent the impending court-martial, never to so misbehave again.

On his captain's enclosing me such a letter, with a request to cancel the order for the trial, I might be induced to do it; but the letters and reprimand will be given in the public order-book of the fleet, and read to all the officers.
The young man has pushed himself forward to notice, and he must take the consequence.

It was upon the quarter-deck, in the face of the ship's company, that he treated his captain with contempt; and I am in duty bound to support the authority and consequence of every officer under my command.

A poor ignorant seaman is for ever punished for contempt to HIS superiors." A dispute occurred in the fleet while it was off Toulon, which called forth Nelson's zeal for the rights and interests of the navy.

Some young artillery officers, serving on board the bomb vessels, refused to let their men perform any other duty but what related to the mortars.