Revised Jun 6 2021

No 13. Miss N. Heywood to Commodore Pasley.

Isle of Man June 22'd 1792

Harrassed by the most torturing Suspense & miserably wretched as I have been my dearest Uncle since the receipt of your last missive, if it is possible, the heartfelt Joy, & Satisfaction we experienced yesterday Morning when on the Arrival of the packet, the dear delightful Letter from our beloved Peter, — (a Copy of which I send you inclosed) was brought to us. — Surely my excellent Friend you will agree with me in thinking there cou'd not be a stronger proof of his Innocence & Worth. – & that it must prejudice every person who reads it most powerfully in his Favor. – such a Letter in less distressful Circumstances than those in which he writes wou'd I am persuaded reflect Honor on the pen of a person much older than my poor Brother — but when we consider his extreme youth (only sixteen at the Time of the Mutiny, & now but nineteen) his Fortitude, patience & manly resignation under the pressure of Sufferings & Misfortunes almost unheard of & scarcely to be supported at any Age without the Assistance of that which seems Peter's great Comfort — a quiet Conscience, and a thorough Conviction of his own Innocence — when I add at the same Time with the most real pleasure & satisfaction that his relation corresponds in many particulars with the Accounts we have hitherto heard of the fatal Mutiny – & when I also add with inconceivable pride & delight that my beloved Peter never was known to breathe a syllable inconsistent with Truth & Honor – when these Circumstances my dear Uncle are all united, what Man on Earth can doubt of the Innocence which cou'd dictate such a Letter — In short let it speak for him — the perusal of his artless & pathetic story will I am persuaded be a stronger recommendation in his Favor than any thing I can urge.

I need not tire your patience my ever lov'd Uncle by dwelling longer on this subject (the dearest & most interesting on Earth to my Heart) for after the perusal of the Letter enclosed, my own must appear tasteless & insipid — let me conjure you only my kind Friend to read it & consider the Innocence & defenceless situation of its unfortunate Author, which calls for & I am sure deserves all the pity & Assistance his Friends can afford him, & which I am sure also the Goodness & Benevolence of your Heart will prompt you to exert in his Behalf — it is perfectly unnecessary for me to add after the Anxiety I feel & cannot but express that no Benefit conferred upon myself will be acknowledged with half the Gratitude I must ever feel for the smallest Instance of Kindness shewn to my beloved Peter — Farewell my dearest Uncle — with the firmest reliance on your kind & generous promises, I am ever with the truest Gratitude & Sincerity

your most affectionate Niece

    Nessy Heywood