10. Certificate of Captain Clapham

This is to Certify that I cruised in Company with the Australian from the ——to the —— during which period I had many opportunities of witnessing the conduct of the officers of the said ship but more especially the Chief Mate Mr Powell and I have every reason to think that the other officers as well as the crew were very much biased by the said Mr Powell whose conduct was such as to make it highly disagreeable and difficult to Capt. Rhodes to carry on the necessary duty of the ship on every occasion he appeared to endeavour to bring the Captain into disrespect. On one occasion when he was at the mast head whales were seen from my ship much nearer the Australian than the Tamar and I feel confident he ought to have seen them.

Witness my hand this 10th day of Decb. 1836