170 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792

arrived on board the Amy, where I was determined to take up my quarters in preference to the Harpy, as I found that Captain Wilson and the Office could not agree, I therefore wished to avoid joining any party, and Falconbridge 79½ this morning in the shade, but no breeze stirring, the heat very oppressive-Thos Thomas the man whose arm was blown off yesterday, died this morning-Many of the Transports were cleared yesterday-The Council this morning opened Dr Bell's papers, and passed them about to each other in a very unbecoming way, I remonstrated upon the indelicacy of the thing, but without effect, for I found that he was suspected of having made private observations of the proceedings on board the Harpy, during the voyage, which were not the most creditable to either party and this was the occasion of the search-

 The gentlemen of the Council are far from satisfied with the observation made yesterday respecting the funeral of Dr. Bell nor with my remarks this morning on the manner in which they opened and exposed his private papers-I tremble for the consequences of having such frivolous and in indiscreet Coadjutors-The Nova Scotians industriously employed clearing