1827. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 319 



degrees from eight in the morning to noon, and fell chap, 



again to its former altitude at eight at night. v 



On the 24th, we were concerned to find several of Oct. 

 the seamen afflicted with scurvy. Had this disease 

 appeared the preceding year, in which they had been 

 a very long time upon half allowance of salt provi- 

 sions, and without any vegetable diet, it would not 

 have been extraordinary ; but in this year the seamen 

 had been on full allowance of the best kind of provi- 

 sion, and had been living upon fresh beef in China, 

 turtle and fish in the Arzobispo Islands and Petro- 

 paulski, besides the full allowance of lemon juice, 

 pickled cabbages, and other anti-scorbutics. The sea- 

 son to the northward, it is true, had been more severe 

 than that of the preceding year, and the duty in con- 

 sequence more harassing ; but this is not sufficient 

 in my opinion to occasion the difference, and I cannot 

 but think that the indulgence in turtle, after leaving 

 the Arzobispo Islands, which was thought so benefi- 

 cial at the moment, induced a predisposition to the 

 complaint. The disease assumed an unusual character, 

 by scarcely affecting the gums, while patients were 

 otherwise so ill that a disposition to syncope attended 

 the exertion of walking. Our cases fortunately were 

 not numerous, being confined to six, and, after a few 

 days' fresh provisions in California, were entirely 

 cured. 



On the 29th we were apprised of our approach to 

 the coast of California by some large white pelicans, 

 which were fishing a few miles to the westward of 

 Point Pinos. We soon afterwards saw the land, and 

 at eight at night moored in the Bay of Monterey. 

 Early the following morning I waited upon the go- 

 vernor, and despatched messengers to the missions of 



