the Admiralty, immediately offered Captain Byng the command of either of the new 74’s about to be commissioned; but our officer, preferring a ship of the old construction, made choice of the Warrior, to which he was accordingly appointed. Some time after this event, he received a letter from the Secretary of the India House, communicating the thanks of the
vernor, and the address he employed in conciliating and gaining his attention, he obtained more bullocks and sheep than had ever been allowed to one ship; while a recent and liberal regulation of the Commissioners for victualling the navy, furnished ample supplies of vegetables, which, on this island are good, abundant, and dear. A beautiful water-fall descends from a high precipice, at the extremity of James’s Valley, and forms a fine clear rivulet, which, in its meandering course through the valley, exhibits on its surface the green leaf of the water-cress growing in luxurious abundance. Hither the convalescents and some scorbutics were daily sent to eat this wholesome vegetable, and to perform the task of gathering two or three bags of cresses for the use of the ship’s company.
“The strength of the people was much recruited, and the scorbutic dispositions corrected, by the salutary refreshments we procured at the island; from which we departed on the 9th June. * * * * * * * Captain Byng directed as large a proportion of vegetables as was deemed necessary, to be reserved out of the liberal allowance of Government, for a sea stock, and presented a donation of 100 dollars, for the purchase of poultry, sheep, and other articles useful to the sick. Nearly the same quantity of vegetables and pickles was preserved as in China; but the enormous price of ten shillings for a large fowl, greatly limited the stock of poultry, a circumstance which was compensated by the Captain ordering some of the sheep bought for the ship’s company, to be exclusively appropriated, during the voyage, to the use of the sick, and those who should become scorbutic.”
p. 63, “_____ _____ Ninety-one cases had been placed on the sick list, during the voyage from St. Helena to England, and some few scorbutics, but not one of the Belliqueux’ had been lost from disease, during the whole voyage from China.”
Mr. Bampfield is the Author of “Practical Treatises on Tropical and Scorbutic Complaints,” published in 1818, and dedicated to Viscount Torrington, “as a tribute of respect, due to the benevolence, zeal, and ability, which his Lordship displayed in his earnest efforts to preserve the lives of those confided to his command, and in his judicious, and, at last, eminently successful arrangements, to prevent the scorbutic form of disease treated of in that work from prevailing among them; as a sense of obligation for the condescension and humane feeling with which his Lordship received and adopted every suggestion for their welfare; and as a grateful offering for some personal acts of friendship conferred during ten years’ associated services.”
