Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/162

 142 F. W. HOWAY ought to have been my friend, he on the contrary held me in the most contemptable light, and introduc'd me to his officers as a spy upon his and their conduct, not only as it respected trade, but even to their domestic life ; this station of mine was soon made known to the whole ship's company, and to every vessel we have spoke. — he and his officers have frequently convers'd together, on the method of treatment that was requisite for me. and I have reason to believe, if I had sign'd the articles, or you had not so fully mentioned me in your orders to him, I should have long before this day been before the mast, if not turn'd ashore ; but as this was plac'd out of their power, the only method they had left was to treat me ill. this they have done very frequently and been countenanc'd for it by their Commander. I could recite many disagreeable say- ings they have made use of at those times respecting your- self, but at present I'll forbear. My books I have regularly kept, and will venture to say, you will find the accounts as fair, and as honest as my situation would admit. — when I first propos'd open- ing the books, which was not long after we got to sea ; I was told the books was of no use nor myself neither, for that it was impossible for me to keep any account of the disposal of the Cargo. I insisted it was possible & would if I could not keep a perfect account, keep the best that was possible and that I was convinc'd, on my return, that you would make every allowance, if everything had the appearance of fair play. — I open'd the books with a sep- arate account of every article in the invoice; this I was told was not right that I knew not how to keep books; I told them this was the way all merchants kept them, that you also kept them in the same way. the answer was damn Jo Barrell he does not know how to keep books or any thing else, except his damn mean ways, of setting his damn clerks to overlook people and the like. I then requested to be shown the right method of keeping books ; but no one knowing, I went on my old way. yet every