Margaret Bowen. 45 



family of his friend, Bishop Bowen, were among the 

 passengers ; the Bishop was not on board. 



At Si<:a, in Sight of Land, 



July 2nd, 1827. 

 To Mrs. Bachman : 



As we hope to be at anchor some time to-night, I 

 write to have a letter ready for the first mail. 



Last Friday, a most melancholy scene was pre- 

 sented, which has cast a gloom around us. Mrs. 

 Bowen's daughter, Margaret, who had been very sea- 

 sick, was taken with convulsions. Every thing was 

 done for her that could be suggested, without a phy- 

 sician on board, but all to no purpose; she died a few 

 hours later. Among the other griefs of Mrs. Bowen 

 was the thought of being obliged to have her dead 

 child cast into the sea. I felt greatly interested, and 

 we, at last, tli ought of a mode of preserving the 

 body — a box tightly packed with sawdust and ice.* 

 Mrs. Bowen bore the blow like a saint. Yesterday 

 (Sunday) we had service on board, and I, at the 

 request of the passengers, gave a sermon alluding 

 to the melancholy event. There was great atten- 

 tion, and great solemnity. The crew of this ship is 

 an excellent one. I have not heard an oath or an 

 improper word, and the passengers have been united 

 and attentive. 1 tried to make myself useful, and 

 believe, in some respects, I have succeeded." 



J. B. 



When the}^ reached Staten Island, the vessel cast 

 anchor, while he performed the last sad rites for his 

 little friend, Margaret Bowen. 



*A fellow-passenger gives the following account: "Through 

 the influence of Rev. .John Baehnmn, the passengers signed 

 a paper, unanimously requesting the captain to dispense 

 with ice during the passage." 



