At a meeting of the passengers on board the _Britannia_ steam-ship,
travelling from Liverpool to Boston, held in the saloon of that vessel,
on Friday, the 21st January, 1842, it was moved and seconded:
"That the Earl of Mulgrave do take the chair."
The motion having been carried unanimously, the Earl of Mulgrave took
the chair accordingly.
It was also moved and seconded, and carried unanimously:
"That Charles Dickens, Esq., be appointed
secretary and treasurer to the meeting."
The three following resolutions were then proposed and carried _nem.
con._:
"First. That, gratefully recognising the
blessing of Divine Providence by which we are
brought nearly to the termination of our
voyage, we have great pleasure in expressing
our high appreciation of Captain Hewett's
nautical skill and of his indefatigable
attention to the management and safe conduct of
the ship, during a more than ordinarily
tempestuous passage.
"Secondly. That a subscription be opened for
the purchase of a piece of silver plate, and
that Captain Hewett be respectfully requested
to accept it, as a sincere expression of the
sentiments embodied in the foregoing
resolution.
"Thirdly. That a committee be appointed to
carry these resolutions into effect; and that
the committee be composed of the following
gentlemen: Charles Dickens, Esq., E. Dunbar,
Esq., and Solomon Hopkins, Esq."
The committee having withdrawn and conferred with Captain Hewett,
returned, and informed the meeting that Captain Hewett desired to attend
and express his thanks, which he did.
The amount of the subscription was reported at fifty pounds, and the
list was closed. It was then agreed that the following inscription
should be placed upon the testimonial to Captain Hewett:
THIS PIECE OF PLATE
was presented to
CAPTAIN JOHN HEWETT,
of the BRITANNIA Steam-ship,
By the Passengers on board that vessel in a voyage from Liverpool
to Boston, in the month of January, 1842,
As a slight acknowledgment of his great ability and skill
under circumstances of much difficulty and danger,
And as a feeble token of their lasting gratitude.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman and to the secretary, and the
meeting separated.
[Sidenote: Mr. Thomas Mitton.]