An additional supply of building materials was required for our houses, both at Creek Town and Duke Town, and it was found necessary to send the Warree to Fernando Po to obtain them. Her captain, however, was absent. He had gone to that island some weeks previously “for the benefit of his health,” though he had not been sick, and was not yet returned, though past his time. After waiting for him as long as we could, and consulting with Mr. Edgerley and friendly captains in the river, I desired the mate to make ready for sea, and went with him myself. We met our skipper at the mouth of the river; he came on board, apologized for his long absence, assumed the command of the vessel, and took her over to Clarence. There he immediately went ashore, and on his return some hours afterwards, resigned his command. He complained of nothing but my taking the vessel from her moorings in his absence, and commanding her myself. I reminded him that he and the ship were both under my orders, that his leave of absence was long expired, that the use of the vessel just then was absolutely required, and that the mate was always warranted to act in the absence of the master. Further, I said, that as I had taken good advice in Calabar before we moved, so would I consult with Governor Beecroft before giving him my answer; but that I was not at all prepared to accept his resignation, with a voyage to Jamaica before us in the end of the year.