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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[MARCA, 1903
There appears from Captain Carey's Account to have been a necessity for leaving the Andamane and of course, no blame or breach of Engagement, should, in our Opinion, be imputed to him for having done so, In respect to Compensation, as in the agreement for the Peggy it was stipulated that every Expence should be defrayed by the Owners, and the Company liable to no Claims whatever, on Account of the Brig, except for his (sic) monthly hire, nothing else (and no part of that is due to the end of January 1797) can be demanded, but if your Houble. Board should desire from motives of liberality to Shew attention to his case, we would propose that the relief should be given in either of two ways -- one is by paying to the Owners without using the Vessel, the two Months bire that would be due to complete the Term of your Engagement ending on the 31st of March 1797, and Oertainly we cannot recommend that She should be ordered to the Andamans to go and return that period, or, if you still be of Opinion a Vessel should be Stationed there that you give Captain Carey . Preference by renewing the engagement for the Brig for Six Months from this Time, at the present rate. We cannot in all events recommend that any encrease of that rate Should be allowed.
Wo have the honor to be &c.
(Signed) John Bristow, John Haldane. Fort William the Srd February 1797.
Enclosure. Gentlemen, I take the earliest opportunity of acquainting you with the arrival of the Brig Pesey from the Andamans station and as I left that place without orders from Government I think it necessary to explain to you the cause of my having done so.
When I had been some time at the Island my Ships Crew became very sickly and the Malady. oncreased so fast that I lost every soul except two Europeans one of whom with myself were attacked with the same Disorder, in this distressed Situation I determined to make an attempt to gain some Board where I could get more people and also to inform you of my having left the Island for that purpose as bad I remained longer it would have been at the hazard of my own life and that of the other two Surviving Men.
I with much difficulty effected my departure from Port Cornwallis and steered for the Island of Noroondum off which I lay in hopes of falling in with some of the China Ships to get assistance, I luckily spoke the Ship Caesar, the Captain upon hearing my distress gave me two Men, with this reinforcement I steered for Calcutta but after having arrived off the Sand Heads, a Violent Gale of Wind came on, which blew away all my Sails and for the Preservation of the Vessel, I was obliged to scud before it to Gangam.
At the Board I used every effort to get a Crew and return to my Station, but I found there was not a Man to be had that would accompany me back, indeed all the people at the place refused to go on board my Vessel uutil I previously gave them Security for my proceeding direct to Bengal.
Thus situated I judged it most expedient to proceed to Bengal for the purpose of getting Ships Crew and to acquaint you of my proceedings. My misfortunes did not end here, for the Day after I left Gangam, I was boarded by a French Privateer and plundered of every thing moveable in the Vessel, even to my own Cloths, they also hove overboard all my Guns and Ammunition and Cut away the only good Anchor and Cable I had remaining to my Bows, and then sent me drift wbich I beg you will take into your benign Consideration.
Should you wish to peruse my Journal I shall send it to corroborate the aforesaid relation.
I hope Gentlemen you will take into consideration the many hardships I have suffered during the time I have been in your Service, and should you think proper to employ the Peggy again on the Same Station for Six Nine or Twelve Months, she will be ready to proceed in the course of a few days should I be again employed I intend to take more Men with me and I hope you will not
