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162 through the fleet, with some other officers who were obnoxious to the mutineers, and afterwards sent on shore. Two midshipmen of the Ardent were ducked, and four of the best seamen on board the Brilliant severely, for speaking disrespectfully of the delegates.]

On the 4th June, being the Sovereign’s birth-day, the whole fleet evinced its loyal disposition by firing a royal salute, and displaying the colours usual upon such occasions; the red flag was however kept flying.

Upon the return of the Lords of the Admiralty to town, a cabinet council was immediately held, when it was determined to employ the most vigorous measures to reduce the rebels. A proclamation was issued for the suppression of the mutinous and treasonable proceedings of the crews of certain of his Majesty’s ships at the Nore, at the same time offering pardon to all such as should immediately return to their duty.

On the 6th June two bills were brought in, passed through both houses of parliament, and received the royal assent: one, “for the better prevention and punishment of attempts to seduce persons serving in his Majesty’s forces by sea or land, from their duty and allegiance, or to entice them to mutiny or disobedience.” The other, “for the more effectually restraining intercourse with the crews of certain of his Majesty’s ships now in a state of mutiny and rebellion, and for the more effectual suppression of such mutiny and rebellion.”

The most active measures were at the same time taken to compel the rebellious crews to submit; the shores on both sides were lined with batteries; the forts of Tilbury, Gravesend, and Sheerness, were furnished with furnaces for red hot shot. The buoys at the Nore and along the coast were removed. The Neptune, of 98 guns, commanded by Sir Erasmus Gower as Commodore, manned with volunteers, raised by subscription of the merchants of London; with the Lancaster, of 64 guns, whose crew had returned to their duty, accompanied by the Agincourt, and several gun-boats, were ordered to drop down the river, and proceed to attack the rebels.

The firmness of the mutineers began at length to be a little shaken, and they determined to try to effect a reconciliation with government through the medium of the Earl of Northesk; their demands, however, were rejected as exorbitant and unreasonable. Captain Knight, whom they had permitted to go on shore, carried down the refusal of the Lords of the Admiralty.

All hopes of accommodation being now at an end, measures were taken by Lord Keith and Sir Charles Grey to attack the fleet from the works at Sheerness, with gun-boats, &c.; but fortunately, on the 9th June, symptoms of disunion appeared among the mutineers, which rendered the application of force unnecessary. On that day the Repulse and Leopard made their escape, the latter up the Thames; but the Repulse ten 64’s; two 50’s; five frigates, and seven smaller vessels; and for some time the most fatal result was apprehended