Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.1969, Blaðsíða 138

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Brillumanninum til verju
Blockade of Copenhagen) already given passes to this same Vessel to carry
Provisions to Farro. — I inquired if there was any Public property at
Thorshaven, but was solemnly assured there was none. — Conscious of
having as much as laid in my power done my duty as a Man and an
Officer, I left North Farro continuing my Cruize off these Islands in wait
of the expected Danish Indiamen coming Northabouts. — However on
this cruize I found means to discover that not only Public property was
hidden at Thorshaven but also a Real King’s Magazine managed even by a
Superintendant called the King’s Merchant, existed there; in consequence
I returned, found this not only to be the case, but that even a Public
cassa had been kept of the produce not only of Retail Sale of this King’s
Magazine, but likewise of the Taxes and duties paid to the Danish Royal
Exchequer, as well as the Public Church monies, the whole of which
however had been hid from the Clio, as well as from me; but having
upon my second visit found a clue to this labyrinth, the Monies were
found digged under the Altar of the church, and the Stores compressed
into what they called themselves the King’s Magazines Yet pretended not
to be look’d on as Public Royal Magazines, because the King traded (tho’
exclusively) Yet only there as an individual, and not as King. — They
aded a great deal about the new principle of liberty and equality. I told
them I professed myself by no means an advocate of this kind of
mischievous new Philosophy, but true to my own King I had the Honor
to serve. I look’d upon whatever belonged to another King enemies to
mine, as Kingly, and inimical, and according to our British Laws of good
prize — In consequence of which I certainly did seize the Public Money
Cassa, as well as the Stores hoarded in the Danish King’s Magazines. —
however so far of being rneanly guilty of pilfering of a Jacket a Bed
or a Pillow (as amongst other horrors was, on w'hatever side, pretended)
I gave fiull value for whatever trifles I had not only but also (as I now
find too generously) made them presents out of my own Stores, not only,
but ordered my Captain to bring them on his return whatever in their (as
I then supposed) distress’d situation they might wish (of which I desired
them, and they actually did furnish a Specification) the full of which was
brought and delivered to them at my expense. to enter farther in the
dirty expounding of their vile lies, would indeed be a degrading Office,
anđ I trust unnecessary in my rank, and reputation. — As to Sherrif
Hammersheim, having signed Lobners Libel, Hammersheim is only Lobner’s
tool; Lobner himself told me that Hammersheim was completely in his
power, and existed only by his Sufferance, having embezzl’d Monies from
the Public Cassa in Hammershiem’s trust, to which he was indebted, to a
very large Amount; which circumstance Captain Baugh told me likewise
to have heard at Farro. — That my Seizures were unpleasant to the Clio,
and Admiral Yashon, I easily conceive, as by these they loose some Prize
Money. — That the Clio and her Captain are far from being guilty of