A Narrative of four voyages to the South Sea, North and South Pacific Ocean, Chinese Sea, Ethiopic and Southern Atlantic Ocean, Indian and Antarctic Ocean, from ... 1822 to 1831. ... To which is prefixed a brief sketch of the author's early life

Front matter

A NARRATIVE OP FOUR VOYAGES Pin I, 11 r. r A NARRATIVE i IF FOUR VOYAGES, TO THE SOUTH SEA, NORTH AND SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN CHINESE SEA, ETHIOPIC AND SOUTHERN ATLANTIC OCEAN, INDIAN AND ANTARCTIC OCEAN. FROM THE YE^-R 1822 TO 1831. COMPRISING CRITICAL SURVEYS OF COASTS AND ISLANDS, WITH SAILING DIRECTIONS AND AN ACCOUNT OF SOME NEW AND VALUABLE DISCOVERIE.S, INCLUDING THE MASSACRE ISLANDS, WHERE THIRTEEN OF THE AUTHOR'S CREW WERE MASSACRED AND EATEN BY CANNIBALS. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S EARLY LIFE. By CAPT. BENJAMIN MORREL.L, Jun. NEW-YORK: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. & J. HARPER, No. 82 CLIFF-STREET. AND SOLD BY THE BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. 183 2. [Entered, according to Act of Congress, by J. & J. Harper, in the year 1882, in the Office of the Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. ] TO THE HON. LEVI WOODBURY, SECBETARY OF THE U. S. NAVY, THE FOLLOWING PAGES ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, IN TESTIMONY OF THE HIGH RESPECT ENTERTAINED FOR HI8 TALENTS AND VIRTUES, DY THE AUTHOR.

ADVERTISEMENT.

. In order to render the following Narrative more use ful to mariners, as well as interesting to the general reader, I have occasionally availed myself of informa tion derived from other sources than my own personal observation. In the course of my four voyages, I touched at many places at which I could not remain long enough to enable me to make surveys, determine soundings, or collect materials for accurate descrip tion ; yet without these and general sailing directions, the work, as a whole, would have been imperfect. 1 have therefore to acknowledge my obligations to several voyagers for some valuable information ; for the introduction of which, I am confident, none of my readers will require an apology. It will be observed that all the courses and bearings in the work have been made by compass, and that the dates are according to nautical time. The Author. New- York, December, 1832. CONTENTS. Introbociioh . . . ', - , - Page 9 FIRST VOYAGE.

Chapter I

Thoughts on a Polar Expedition — Objects of the present Voyage — Departure from New-York — Fourth of July — Crossing tbe Equator — Visit from Father Neptune — Arrival at St. Ann's Islands — Village of St. Joao de Macae — Cape Frio — Arrival at Rio Janeiro — Directions for Entering the Harbour — Description of St. Sebastian's — Its Trade and Commerce — Beauty of the surrounding Country — Natural Productions — Character ofthe Inhabitants . . 29

Chapter II

Departure from Rio Janeiro to survey the Coast of Patagonia — Cape Corrientes — White Bay — Rio Colorado — Rio Negro : Character and Manners of the Inhabitants, with Directions for entering the Harbour — Patagonia — Marvellous Stories — St. Matias's Bay — New Bay — Shooting Bullocks and other Game — St. George's Bay — Apology to the Reader — Cape Blanco — Port Desire, with Sailing Directions — Port St. Julian and Santa Cruz, with Instructions for approaching and entering — A Sabbath-day's Adventure — Description of the Natives, their Size, Dress, Mode of Living, Origin, &c. — Survey suspended- Arrival at the Falkland Islands — News of the Henry 37

Chapter III

__ The Falkland Islands — History, Description, and Natural Productions — Penguin, Albatross, &c. — Description of a South Sea Rookery — Arrival at Port Louis — Shooting Bullocks and Geese — Departure from Port Louis — A Search for the Aurora Islands — Perilous Situation among Icebergs — Kergulen's Land — Christmas Harbour — The Sea-elephant — Antarctic Seas, open and temperate in lat. 64° 50' 49

Chapter IV

Desolation Island, or Kergulen's Land — Christmas Harbour — Natural Productions — Oceanic Animals — Departure from the Island, towards the South Pole — Cross the Antarctic Circle — Procure fresh Water from the Ice — Steer for Sandwich-land — Candlemas Isles — Southern Thu]6 — Burning Volcanoes— Return to the Antarctic Seas — Mild Temperature of the Air and Water — No Field-ice in Lat. 70° 14' — Ice-islands and Icebergs ; their Formation — Practicability of reaching the South Pole — New South Greenland — Staten Land .... 62)

Chapter V

Enoneous Ideas corrected — Staten Land — Strait of Le Maire — Natural History of the Fur-seal and Sea-elephant — Exaggerated Accounts of Cape Horn Dangers accounted for, and refuted— Doubling the Ciipe— Prevailing Winds and A CONTENTS. Weather in that Region — Diego Ramirez Islands — Ildefonso's Island — Christ mas Sound— Western Entrance to the Strait of Magellan — The Wasp sails from Staten Land, and arrives at the Eastern Entrance, from the Atlantic — Enters the Strait, and anchors in the Harbour of Cape Negro 71

Chapter VI

Strait of Magellan — Face of the Country — Hailed by a Troop of Patagonians — Arrival at Port Famine — History of the Place — Ledger River — Natural Productions — An Excursion into the Interior — Ruins of Philipville — Cape Froward — Indians ofthe Highlands described — A Visit to their Village — The Visit reciprocated — Excursion up the River Capac, accompanied by two Chiefs — Adventures in returning — Filial Affection of a Chief's Son — Character, Manners, Habits, Customs, Employments, and Dress of the Natives — Their Canoes, Arms,&c. — Their Want of Cleanliness, moral Condition, and probable Origin — Enter the Pacific Ocean 82

Chapter VII

Commence surveying the Western Coast of South America — Capes St. Isabel and St. Lucia — Strait of Conception — Cape St. Jago — St. Martin's Island — Byers's Strait — Island of Madre de Dios — Capes Three Points and Corso— Campana Channel and Island — Port St. Barbara — Cape Nixon — Guayaneco Islands — Interview with a tribe of Indians called the Caucaes — A brief Description of these Natives — The Fourth of July — The Wasp in a perilous Situation on a Rock — Damages repaired — Anchors converted into Rudder Irons — Set Sail for Mocha Island — Obtain fresh Provisions — Island of Santa Maria .... 98

Chapter VIII

Bay of Conception and Port of Talcaguano — City of Mocha, or New Conception — The River Biobio — Soil, Climate, and Natural Productions — Valparaiso Bay and City — Kindness of the American Consul, Mr. Hogan — Santiago, or St. Jago — Directions for entering the Harbour of Valparaiso — Climate, Winds, &c. — Valparaiso destroyed by an Earthquake — Amiable Character of Mr. Hogan Arrive at Port Coquimbo — Captain Hutchins, of Baltimore — Heave down the Wasp to repair Damages — Directions for entering the Port of Coquimbo — Description of the Town — Caution to Shipmasters — Villanous Attempt at Imposition — Sail from Coquimbo — Pursued by an armed Force, which soon retreats — Islands us St. Ambrose and St. Felix — An Adventure promised in the next Chapter 107

Chapter IX

A Discovery— Inexcusable Barbarity— Hopeless Sufferings and joyful Preservation— Lobos Afuero — Lobos de Terra— Indian Catamarans, and Balzas— River and Town of Tumbes — Pizarro in Peru — Port and Town of Tacames Natural Productions— Volcanic Mountains— Height of Chimborazo — Cities of Quito and Cuzco — Monuments of ancient Splendour— Walls of the Temple of the -Sun still standing— Ruins of the Incas' Palace— Gallapagos Islands— Elephant Tortoises— Island of Juan Fernandez— Natural Productions— Escape of the Convicts— Alexander Selkirk, or Robinson Crusoe 118

Chapter X

Island of Masafuejo— The River Maule— Captain and Crew arrested— A Prison Scene — Symptoms of a bloody Crisis — Amicable Compromise — St. Valentine's; Day— Guests of Distinction— A nautical Breakfast strangely interrupted— False Colours— Retaliation, or the Yankee Trick— Arrive at Valparaiso— The Wasp changes Masters— Embark for the United States— Pilot a Ship through Magellan's Strait— Touch at Pernambuco— Arrive at Salem— Gloomy Forebodings terminating in a fatal Reality— Visit to Stonington— Affecting Meeting— \ Father s Advice 7 . ■ " CONTENTS. ' III SECOND VOYAGE. CHAPTER T. Preparations for the Second Voyage — The Schooner Tartar selected and purchased for the Purpose — A Matrimonial Contract — The Voyage commenced — Island of Fernando Noronha, and the Roccas — Bahia, or the Bay of All Saints — City of St. Salvador — Directions for entering the Harbour — Sail from Bahia — Island of St. Catharine's — Island of Lobos — Rio de la Plata — Monte Video and Buenos Ayres — The Falkland Islands — Strait of Magellan — Peninsula of the Three Mountains — Social Affections of Seals — Moral Reflections . . . 143

CHAPTER II.

Peninsula de Tres Montes, and the adjacent Islands — Natives'of the Coast — Beneficial Effects of foreign Missionaries, promoting the Interests of Commerce — A new Field for Missionary Labours — Archipelago of Chonos — Island of Chiloe — Natural Productions — Town of St. Carlos — Religion, Character, and Manners of the Inhabitants — Dress of the Females — Employments, Accomplishments, and Amusements — Equestrian Exercises — Mode of Mounting their Horses — Ponchos and Hammocks — The adjacent Country — Directions for Entering the Port . . 157

CHAPTER III.

Bay and City of Valdivia — The Araucanians — Town of Pelchue — Retrospective Observations — Towns of Colema and Chilian — Province of Chilian — Arrive at Valparaiso — Continue the Survey ofthe Coast — Province and City of Copiago — Bay and Town of Pisco — Sailing Directions, ccc. — The Bay or Roads of Callao — The Blockade and Siege of Callao — General Rodil refuses to .Surrender — The Tartar enters without Ceremony 163

CHAPTER IV.

The Port of Callao — Destruction of the Town in 1746 — Condition of the Place iu 1824— Closely invested by Land and Sea— Did not " catch a Tartar" — The City of Lima — Sail from Callao — Arrive at Quilca — Visit the City'jof Arequipa — Sail from Quilca — Arrive at Port Santa — Cruise along the Coast — Port of Guanchaco — City of Truxillo — Bay of Caraccas, and the surrounding Country — View of Chimborazo — A Nation in the Clouds— Volcano of Pinchuica — Eruption of Cotopaxi — Sail from Caraccas Bay — Arrive at Cocos Island 17S

CHAPTER V.

Cocos Island — Gallapagos Islands — Eruption of a Volcano on Narborough Island — Critical Situation of the Tartar — A fruitless Search for Gallego and other imaginary Islands — Arrive on the Coast of California — Island of Guadaloupe — Cerros Island — Bay of St. Francis — Near to our native Land, and yet far from it — The Gulf of California and River Colorado — Anew Route from the United States to the Pacific Ocean — Old California — Cenezos Island — Port San Diego iu New California — Character of the Inhabitants, &c 191

CHAPTER VI.

A hunting Excursion — The Party attacked by a hostile Tribe of Indians — A desperate Battle — Victory doubtful — The .Savages defeated — A safe Return to St. Diego — Sail to the North — Arrive at Monterey — Mission of San Carlos and San Antonio — Mutiny on board the Asia sixty-four — Farallone Islands — Port St. Francisco — Description of the Country and Inhabitants — Mission of St. Clara — Cape Blanco in the Oregon Territory — Change our Course to the South — Island of Socorro — Steer for the West — Sandwich Islands ■ » . . CONTENTS. IV

CHAPTER VII.

Sail from the Sandwich Islands— Northern Polynesia— Bird's Island— Man-of-war Rock— Lisiansky Island — Caution to Navigators— Pearl and Hermes Isljjnd — Byers's Island — An unknown Island — Steer towards the Continent — Clipperton's Rock — A Wild-goose Chase for St. Vincent Island — Arrive at the Gallapagos Islands— Return to the Coast of Peru— Bay and Town of Seehura — City of Piura— Directions for entering the Port of Seehura— Bay and Town of Payta — Port of St. Pedro — Bay and Town of Ferrol — Natural Productions — Cinchona, or Peruvian Bark— Animals, &c— Arrive at the Port of Chorillos 215

CHAPTER VIII.

Isthmus of Darien — Letter from a Traveller — Town of Porto Bello — How to prevent a wet Jacket — An excellent Dinner, and Wine with an Excellency — Canoe Navigation — Gloomy Prospects — Town and River Chagres — Ascending the River — Crossing the Isthmus — Town of Cruces — The Pizarro Road — Coming to an Anchor — Emotions excited by a first View of the Pacific — City of Panama •■—Importance of a Passport — Projected Canal across the Isthmus — Ruins of old Panama — An Earthquake — The Gulf of Panama 231

CHAPTER IX.

Surrender of the Castles of Callao, by General Rodil, to the Patriots — Dreadful Effects of the Siege — General Quint anilla surrenders the Island of Chiloe — Visit the Ruins of Pachamcamac, a magnificent Temple of the Sun — Homeward-bound — Strait of Magellan — Two Excursions into the Interior — Entertained by a Tribe of Patagonians — Their Stature and Hospitality — Human Skeletons of agigantic Size — Touch at the Falkland Islands — A fruitless Search for Island Grande — Arrive at New-York 243 THIRD VOYAGE.

Chapter I

The Schooner Antarctic, built expressly for this Voyage — Sails from New-York — Reflections on leaving Land — A vertical Sun — Arrive at the Cape Verd Islands — General Description of the Group — Island of St. Antonio, with its natural Productions — St. Lucia— St. Vincent — St. Nicholas — Natural Productions^ — Indolence and Slavery — A Peep at the Interior — Condition of the Slaves — The Influence of Music — Abundance of Fish — Island of Sal — Dreary Aspect ofthe Country — Arrive at the Island of Bonavista . . .... 253

Chapter II

Island of Bonavista — Town and Harbour — Interview with the Governor— The Art of Begging illustrated— View of the Island— Natural Productions— Sailing Directions — The Leton Rocks — Island of Mayo — St. Jago, or Santiago Port Praya — Breakfast with the Captain-general— A walk with the Ladies'— A Peep at the Country— View the Fortifications— Military Establishment— A Dinner-party — Bay and Anchorage — Volcano of Fogo, or Fuego — Island of Brava — Imaginary Dangers 2(*4

Chapter III

The Cape of Good Hope— A Brief History and Description of the Colony- -Saldanha Bay— St. Helen's Bay— Berg or Mountain River— The Vale osD.al.cntteiu— Oliphant or Elephant River— Koussie River— Cape Voltas— Volemic Productions— Projected Speculation— The Garicp or Oran-re River— Wras Juntas Bay— Whale Bay— Possession Island— Elizabeth Bay— K Peep at°the CONTENTS. V Interior — Angra Pequena, or Santa Cruz — Ichaboe Island— Mercury Island — Intercourse with the Natives — Bird Island— Sandwich Harbour — Walwich Bay 2 . S

Chapter IV

Excursion into the Interior — Description ofthe Natives — Face ofthe Country- Natural Productions — Sudden and transitory Vegetation — Droves of Elephants — Return to the Vessel — Sail from Walwich Bay — Arrive at Mercury Island — A most afflicting Disaster, in the Loss of Ogden — Tribute to his Memory — Arrive at Point St. Helen— Wreck of the English Brig Columbine— An Offer to save her Cargo rejected — Arrive at Table Bay — Description of the Place — Sailing Directions— Phenomenon of the Tablecloth— Sail from Table Bay, and again steer to the North 300

Chapter V

Robben or Penguin Island — Dassen or Coney Island — Arrive at Angra Pequena — Sand-winds, and a moving Column of Sand — Intercourse with the Natives — The Guinea-worm — A Horde of Macasses, or Makosses — Ogden's Harbour — Cape Frio, or Cold Cape — Great Fish Bay — A Tribe of the Cimbebas -Excursion into the Interior — Port Alexander— St. Philip Benguela — St. Philip's Bonnet — Province, Bay, and Town of Benguela — Anchorage, Landing, Soil, Climate, Productions, Water, &c. — Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals — Description of the Coast — Sailing Directions 311

Chapter VI

Visit to a Slave Brig — Cruelty and Suffering — Slaves flogged to Death — Strength of conjugal Affection in an African — An affecting Scene — Beard the Tigers in their Den — Cowardice of Guilt — How to abolish the Slave-trade — English Colony of .Sierra Leone — United States' Colony of Liberia — Sail from Benguela — Homeward-bound — Island of Ascension — The Fourth of July, and a vertical Sun — Arrive at New-York — Kind Reception by the Owners, and a still kinder one by somebody else 324

Chapter VII

A Sister's Inquiry for her Brother — An Evasive Answer — The Fatal Truth disclosed—A Mourning Family — Pious Resignation — A Funeral Sermon — Discharge the Cargo — Visit Stonington — Preparations for another Voyage in the Antarctic — Domestic Affairs — A Wife resolved to accompany her Husband — Vain Expostulations — Arguments pro and con — The Embarkation — The Pilot dismissed 334 FOURTH VOYAGE.

Chapter I

Departure of the Antarctic — Good Qualities of the Schooner — The Captain's Wife on board — Beauties of a dying Dolphin — Sudden Death of Francis Patterson—Arrive at Bonavista — Arrive at Porto Praya — Steer for the South — The Crew assailed by Fever — The Lady suffering under the same Disease — Distressing Situation of the Antarctic — Death of Mr. Geery — Death of Mr. Spinney — The Prospect darkens — A Wife's dying Request to her Husband — A Dawn of Hope — The Sick begin to recover — Arrive at Tristan d'Acunha, and procure Refreshments 34.

Chapter II

Island of Tristan d'Acunha— King Lambert — Governor Glass — Gough's Island — Kerguelen's Land — Cape Desolation — Lord Auckland's Group — New-year's CONTENTS. VI Festivities — Learning to walk — Natural Productions of the Island — The Schooner Henry, Captain Johnson, their probable Fate — The Snares — Stewart's Isle, or South Cape of New-Zealand— Molyneux's Harbour— Intercourse with the Natives of New-Zealand 352

Chapter III

New-Zealand— Intercourse with the Natives— Their Habitations, Apparel, Working tools, and Weapons— Eating Human Flesh — Face of the Country — Banks's Peninsula— Cook's Cape, Harbour, and Strait— Visit from the Natives— Women an Article of Traffic — East Cape — Mercury Bay — Great Utility of Missionaries — Bay of Islands — Royal Visiters — Visit to the Mission — Orderly Arrangement — Sail to the North— The New-Hebrides— Hope Island— Steer to the West- New Discoveries anticipated 365

Chapter IV

New Discoveries — Westervelt's Group — An ominous Dream — A perilous Situation — Extricated by a dexterous nautical Manœuvre — Bergh's Group discovered — Livingston's Island — Arrive at Manilla — Philippine Islands — Luconia — City and Bay of Manilla — A Hint to the Ladies 378

Chapter V

Sail from Manilla for the Feejee Islands — Discover Skiddy's Shoal — Islands 'of Los Matires — Visit Bergh's Group — Discover Skiddy's Group — Visit Young "William's Group — Interview with the Natives — Intended Treachery defeated — Visit Monteverdeson's Islands — Description of the Natives — Indications of Hostilitiesi — An Attempt to board the Antarctic — Continuation of the Voyage — Discovery of the Massacre Islands — Friendly Disposition of the Natives 387

Chapter VI

Massacre Islands — Commence building a House — A Garden planted — Friendship of Henneen, the Island Chief — Friendly Disposition of the Natives — Precautions against Surprise — Symptoms of Perfidy, Duplicity, and Dissimulation — Drawn into an Ambuscade — Disarm a Host — Amity and Confidence restored — Specious but hollow Professions of Good-will — The Alarm — The Massacre — The Battle — The Rescue — Cannibalism — Deplorable Situation of the Survivors — Sail from the Islands — Arrive at Manilla 403

Chapter VII

Sail from Manilla for tho Massacre Islands — The Bay and Town of Taal — Port and Town of St. Joseph's — Ladrone Islands — Arrive at Bergh's Group — Friendship of the Natives — Their Canoes, Fishing Implements, &c. — Beauty of the Women — Strength and Agility of the Men — Theological Notions- Marriages, Deaths, Wars, &c. — Description of their Weapons, Houses, and Villages — Domestic Arrangements — Fertility and Capabilities of the Soil — Importance of this Discovery — Equipments necessary for a Voyage to these Islands — Depart for the Massacre Islands 416

Chapter VIII

Monteverdeson's Group — Treachery of the Natives — Attack on the Antarctic repulsed — Wholesome Chastisement — Arrive at the Massacre Islands — Assailed by the Cannibals, who are repulsed with Loss — Fire upon the Town Beneficial Result — Leonard Shaw, supposed to have fallen in the general Massacre alive, and liberated from a horrid Slavery — Excitement ofthe Crew Purchase of an Island — A Castle in the Air — Suspicious Movements — A brief Sketch of the Sufferings of Leonard Shaw, during a Captivity of more than Fifteen Weeks among the Cannibals , 43c CONTENTS. VII

Chapter IX

Massacre Islands — More Treachery — Wallace's Island invaded — The Castle attacked — The Assailants defeated — Henneen slain— Massacre Island evacuated by the Natives — The Antarctic's Crew land — Interment ofthe Martyrs' Sculls — Holmes's narrow Escape — The Enterprise abandoned — Sail for Bouka Island — St. George's Channel — New-Ireland — The Natives — Fertility and natural Riches of the Country — New-Britain — Dampier's Island 448

Chapter X

New-Britain — New-Guinea — Dekay's Bay — Description of the Natives — Natural Productions — Birds of Paradise — Requisites for a Voyage thither — Livingston's Cape — Burning Mountains, with Volcanic Eruptions — Cape Woodbury, and Woodbury Harbour — Another new Discovery — The Antarctic attacked — The Natives astonished — Sunday and Monday taken — Return to Manilla — Health and Fidelity of the Crew — Directions to Ship-masters — Importance of Cleanliness and wholesome Food — Vegetable Acids, &c 458

Chapter XI

Disappointed Hopes — Take Freight for Cadiz — Touch at Singapore to lighten the Vessel — Description of the Place — Climate, Soil, Health, and Beauty of the Country — An Aerial Excursion — Delightful Prospects— Sail from Singapore — The treacherous Malays — Precautions necessary to be observed — Double the Cape of Good Hope — Saldanha Bay — Necessary Repairs — Island of St. Helena — Tomb of Bonaparte — History and Description of the Island — The Azores — Cadiz — Bordeaux — Homeward Bound — Safe Arrival — Melancholy News — The Conclusion

Introduction

. COMPRISING A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR'S EARLY LIFE. In appearing thus before the public, ancl for the first time — not only as an author, but as the discoverer of countries the very existence of which was before unknown to the civilized world, — the writer of the subsequent pages is aware that he is advancing claims of no ordinary character. With what degree of ability they are about to be sustained remains yet to be seen. The author makes no pretensions to literary attainments, or to the art of sine writing ; but he has the vanity to say, that, in his natural sphere, on the deck of a ship, he will yield to none in his knowledge and discharge of nautical duties. If this (perhaps gratuitous) boast require justification, he trusts that it may be found in the following brief sketch of some prominent incidents of his thus far checkered life and maritime career, previous to the voyages which furnished the subject-matter of the present work.

This he gives the more readily, as the public have an undoubted right to know something of a man who comes before them with the high-sounding promise of increasing their stock of geographical knowledge, and adding much to the accu mulated treasures of cosmographical science. Ever anxious to avoid even the appearance of egotism, he has thus introduced himself to the reader in the third person ; but in telling his own story, he finds it more convenient to adopt the first. My father, Benjamin Morrell, of Stonington, Connecticut, is well known to the commercial community in New-England and New- York, as a ship-builder of some professional eminence. His name, also, will be remembered, as connected with a domestic calamity of the most distressing and heart-rending character, which occurred in the great gale of September 23d, lfrld, which will be noticed in its proper place.

His family once comprised a beloved wife and seven children — four sons and three daughters, of whom I was the eldest. I was born on the 5th day of July, 1795. My parents at that time resided in a small town of Westchester county, in the state of New-York, called Rye, on Long Island Sound, about eighteen miles N.E. ofthe great commercial emporium of the United States. Thus, I may say the salt water was almost the sirst scene presented to ray infant view ; and I have lived close by it, or on it, ever since. INTRODUCTORY SKETCH OF [1812. X In less than a year after my birth, my father removed his family to Stonington, a borough in the county of New-London, Connecticut, also lying on the margin of Long Island Sound, fifteen miles east of New-London, and near the western line of Rhode Island. This place is celebrated for having successfully resisted two furious bombard ments by the English ; one during the war of the revolution, and another, of two days' duration, in the last war.

It can also boast of having produced a greater number of excellent seamen, eminent ship masters, and enterprising merchants than any other town of equal population in the United States. The number of inhabitants according to the census of 1830 did not exceed 800 souls. It was here that my father commenced his business of ship-building ; which he pursued, with unremitting assiduity, until the year 1800, when he made a voyage to the Pacific Ocean, as third officer and carpenter of the schooner Oneco, of New-London, commanded by Captain George Howe. He was absent nearly three years, suffering many hardships and privations, the voyage proving unusually hazardous and disagreeable. On his return to Stonington, he resumed his business of ship-building ; in which he lost a considerable sum of money, through the misfortunes of his employer, Captain Nathaniel Smith.

Although this loss was severely felt by my father, he never attributed any blame to Captain Smith ; knowing him to be of a nature too noble and humane to enjoy a lengthened period of worldly prosperity. The miser and the knave appear to be the most popular and successful in this life, while the generous and the just too often become the victims of treachery, and the prey of misfortune. My infancy and early childhood were periods of sickness and pain. That laughing vivacity, bounding hilarity, and buoyancy of spirit which every healthy child experiences — "That lightly draws its breath, And feels ils life in every limb," were to me " like angels' visits ;" for until I was ten years old I had seldom, if ever, enjoyed health or ease for the short space of a single week. At the age of ten, my health rapidly improved ; and it was about this period that I first felt a strong propensity to become a sailor, and visit distant parts of the world.

This desire, by whatever cause excited, was keenly whetted by the many marvellous stories I daily heard, from those who followed the seas, concerning the " wonders of the mighty deep," and the curiosities of foreign climes. It literally " grew with my growth, and strengthened with my strength." Books, also, were not wanting to fan the flame, which at length became inex tinguishable ; and after vainly soliciting my father's consent, I determined at once to play the hero, and seize the sirst opportunity for running away ! Such an opportunity at length occurred ; but not until I had entered my seventeenth year : when, without taking leave of any member of the family, or intimating my purpose to a single soul, I left my paternal home, one pleasant morning in March, 1812; and without encounter ing any adventures worth relating, soon found myself in the great city 1812.]

THE AUTHOR'S EARLY LIFE. XI of New-York. Here I lost no time in looking out for a berth on board of some vessel engaged in foreign trade, the coasting business being a sphere far too limited for my expansive ambition. I finally succeeded in shipping myself on board the Enterprise, a ship belonging to Ralph Buckley, Esq., and commanded by Captain Alexander Cart wright ; as fine a seaman, and as honest a man, as ever put his foot on the quarter-deck of a ship. Our destination was Lisbon, with a cargo of flour, for which a great price was anticipated, as France was then at war with Spain and Por tugal, and a further supply from the United States was momentarily ex pected to be cut off; as an embargo law for ninety days had just passed* both houses of Congress, and was hourly expected in New- York.

Like several others in the same predicament, we were compelled to take in our cargo with the greatest expedition, and then to drop below in the outer harbour, to wait for our clearance. As soon as this was obtained, we all weighed anchor and put to sea. The word was now, " Run for it ! and Heaven help the hindmost !" for the collector's signature was scarcely dry upon the paper before he received orders from Washington by express to stop every vessel that was bound to sea. The revenue-cutter immediately gave chase to our little fleet of flour-dealers, and succeeded in stopping several of the fugitives, who were compelled to return. The rest of us had too much the start of nim ; and I soon found myself far from land, on the element which I had so long and so ardently desired to traverse. I cannot describe my sensations on finding myself afloat on the mighty ocean.