1822.] 



THE AUTHOR'S EARLY LIFE. 



xxv'u 



and at nine, P. M., having examined the coast to our satisfaction, and 

 finding no seal, we steered for Staten Land, where we again fell in 

 with the brig Jane Maria, bound to New- York. As this vessel was 

 also under the orders of Captain Johnson, though now in the charge 

 of one in whom he had not the most implicit confidence, he expressed 

 a wish that I would take passage, and navigate her to New-York. I 

 cheerfully complied with my worthy friend's wishes, and embarked on 

 board the Jane Maria, which, in a few days afterward, arrived at the 

 Falkland Islands. Here we remained about a month, for the purpose 

 of taking fur-seal, and then set sail for the United States. After a 

 pleasant passage of fifty-eight days, we arrived in safety at the port of 

 New- York, on the 26th of April, 1822. I had the satisfaction of find- 

 ing my family and all ray friends enjoying good health ; but shall not 

 trouble my readers with any trite remarks respecting the pleasure of 

 meeting those we love, after so long an absence ; presuming that they 

 know as much about it as I can tell them. At any rate, they will not 

 look for sentiment in the rough journal of a sailor. 



On the day after my arrival, our owners having perused the letters 

 which I brought from Captain Johnson, Mr. Byers promptly offered 

 me the command of a vessel, if I would wait a month or two ; at the 

 expiration of which time it would be the proper season to commence 

 a South Sea voyage for the purpose of sealing, trading, and making 

 new discoveries. I readily acceded to this proposal, and immediately 

 took charge of the schooner Henry, to have her repaired and fitted 

 against the return of Captain Johnson, who was then to take the com- 

 mand, and resign the Wasp to me. In about six weeks the latter 

 vessel made her appearance, with a cargo of hair-seal skins — last from 

 the island of Mocha ; and, in due time, Captain Johnson and myself 

 exchanged places. I then took both vessels up to the ship-yard of 

 Messrs. Blossom, Smith, and Damon, to be thoroughly overhauled, 

 repaired, and fitted for a long voyage. 



When the two vessels were properly fitted for sea, and removed 

 from the ship-yard to the stations assigned them for that purpose, we 

 commenced taking in provisions and salt for a sealing voyage, which 

 it was calculated would occupy about two years ; while both com- 

 manders were vested with discretionary powers to prosecute new dis- 

 coveries, and to trade for the benefit of all concerned. Each vessel 

 was therefore liberally and bountifully supplied with every thing 

 necessary and comfortable for such an expedition, by James Byers, 

 Esq., one of the owners. In naming this gentleman, I cannot avoid 

 expressing the high estimation in which I hold his character for honour, 

 liberality, mercantile integrity, and every manly virtue. 



In due time our two schooners were completely equipped and ready 

 for a two years' cruise in the South Seas, Antarctic Seas, and Pacific 

 Ocean ; both of them being strong, stanch, well-rigged, fast-sailing 

 vessels. On the 30th day of June, 1822, we prepared to set sail — 

 having, of course, previously taken leave of our friends, and parted 

 with some perhaps for ever ! At eight, A. M., the pilot came on board, 

 when we got under way, and put to sea with a fine breeze from the 

 S.W. and fair weather. The journals of this and three subsequent 

 voyages form the contents of the following pages. 



