  A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD, By Way of the Great SOUTH SEA . A |
| JOHN COKBURNE, Esq; |
| Sir JOHN NORRIS, Knt. |
| Sir CHARLES WAGER, Knt. |
| Sir THOMAS LYTTLETON, Bart. |
| The Right Honorable GEORGE Vicount MALPAS, Knt. of the Bath; and |
| SAMUEL MOLYNEUX, Esq; |
Lords Commissioners for executing
the Office of High Admiral of Great
Britain, &c.
My Lords,
Your Lordships are intrusted by the greatest and best of Kings, with the important Office of directing the whole Navy of Great-Britain; the strongest safe-guard to all we possess and injoy. Since therefore all maritime affairs are under your influence and authority, I trust your Lordships will not refuse to accept the answer of one, whose accusation in print hath already been addrest to your Honorable Board. I had the happiness of being several years a purser in the Navy, tho afterwards unfortunately ingaged under the command of captain Shelvocke in this cruising expedition. As his pretended narrative is intirely a deception, and his whole conduct an indignity to his country, I thought it my duty to give your Lordships a genuine account of the man as well as our voyage; which I have done truly and impartially, not without hopes it may prove entertaining. If, my Lords, I am never to meet with any recompense for my hardships, I have yet the satisfaction of asserting the honor of his Majesty’s commission, defending the cause of some of his injured subjects; and being devoted to his perpetual interest, to subscribe my self,
Your Lordships
most humble and
most faithful servant,
William Betagh.
