1845.] WRECK OF A BREMEN BRIG. 75 



gratification, he proved to belong to the firm of Kayser 

 Hayn, and Co., of Mazatlan and Acapulco, to the princi- 

 pals of which I had been under great obligation during my 

 visits to those ports in the ' Sulphur ', and Mr. Vischer 

 and myself had also met under peculiar circumstances at 

 Manzanilla. After very few communications relative to 

 his disaster, he was assured of a home on board the 

 ' Samarang ', as well as passage for his crew, &c., to 

 Manila; and taking into consideration the absence of 

 any other authority, measures were immediately adopted 

 for the security of his cargo saved. 



Previous to my arrival, an engagement had been 

 entered into by a young Spaniard, belonging to the 

 province of Ilocos al Norte, to purchase the hull and gear 

 of the brig, and to carry the Master, crew and Super- 

 cargo, for a stipulated sum in a native vessel to Manila. 

 Interference, on my part, was delicate, but the Super- 

 cargo preferred accompanying his freight in a sound 

 bottom, consenting still to pay the stipulated agree- 

 ment, if the vessel was found fit, and that he would 

 not flinch from any part of his contract if his master and 

 crew would consent to risk their lives with the con- 

 tractor, or, failing in this, the original forfeiture, as 

 agreed, of half the amount. It is necessary, in order to 

 comprehend this matter, properly, to understand, that 

 unless this vessel could be safely navigated to Manila by 

 the Bremen crew, that the sum agreed on for the wreck 

 (the valuable parts of which were to be embarked) would 

 not be forthcoming ; in fact, that the sum offered, was 

 upon this condition. 



It was apparent to the eye of any seaman that the vessel 



