20 



1785. 

 Oftober. 

 Friday 28. 



A VOYAGE TO THE 



of Brazil, and a brig from Martinico commanded by 

 captain Clark. The Diana, in letting go her anchor, got 

 foul of the Hammet's cable, on which I fent my long- 

 boat to her afliftance, and fhe was extricated without much 

 difficulty. 



Every bufinefs at this place being now completed, and 

 the crews in excellent health, I determined to leave it the 

 Saturday 29. £rft Opportunity. At daylight in the morning of the 29th 

 we unmoored, and at ten o'clock weighed and made fail, 

 ftanding out oi: the bay with a moderate eafterly breeze. 

 Previous to this I took my leave of captain Clark of the 

 Hammet, to whom I acknowledge myfelf greatly indebted 

 for his affiftance on many occaiions during our ftay at Port 

 Praya. At noon the extremes of the ifland bore from 

 North 53° Weft, to North 33° Eaft, diftant from the 

 harbour about three miles. 



Saint Jago is generally mountainous, and appears to 

 be a very fine ifland : but our fhort ftay here, and my 

 profeflional duties, prevented me from making excurfions 

 into the interior parts. The vallies appear to be fertile ; 

 there is a great quantity of land which is fit for producing 

 fugar-cane, and I have no doubt but that with proper care 

 they might cultivate fome of the fineft in the world ; they 

 raife cotton, and fome of the natives appear to be induf- 

 trious, but are exceedingly opprefted by the Portuguefe 

 foldiers, who exad: an exorbitant toll from the unhappy 

 countrymen who bring their commodities to market, their 

 fheep, hogs, goats, turkeys, fowls, oranges, lemons, 

 limes, bananas, and plantains ; all which are tolerably 

 plentiful, and might be purchafed at very reafonable 

 5 prices. 



