six o'clock
Shuffles was experiencing the truth of the old maxim , that honesty is the best policy . It is to be regretted that his present devotion to duty had no higher incentive than mere policy ; but it may be hoped of those who do their duty from low motives , that they may gather inspiration even from their politic fidelity to obey its behests from higher motives . The third lieutenant of the Young America intended to keep the promise he had made in accepting his office , simply because it would pay best . Wilton and his confederates had no difficulty in making up the required number of discontents and malcontents before six o'clock , which was the time fixed for carrying out the enterprise they had planned . Some of the recruits joined because they anticipated a good time in the city in celebrating the Fourth , and others from a mere love of mischief and excitement . The details of the scheme had been carefully elaborated by Monroe and Wilton , after the ranks of the conspirators were full . Having learned a valuable lesson from the daily discipline of the ship , the mischief was certainly well planned .