SECOND VOYAGE 



TO THE 



PACIFIC OCEAN, SOUTH SEAS, &c. 



CHAPTER I. 



Preparations for the Second Voyage — The Schooner Tartar selected and pur- 

 chased for the Purpose— A Matrimonial Contract — The Voyage commenced — 

 Island of Fernando Noronha, and the Roccas — Bahia, or the Bay of All Saints 

 — City of St. Salvador — Directions for entering the Harbour — Sail from Bahia — 

 Island of St. Catharine's — Island of Lobos— Rio de la Plata — Monte Video and 

 Buenos Ayres — The Falkland Islands — Strait of Magellan — Peninsula of the 

 Three Mountains — Social Affections of Seals — Moral Reflections. 



In pursuance of previous arrangements, I proceeded to New-York, 

 and immediately called on my former employers, Messrs. Byers, 

 Rogers, M'Intyre, and Nixon, who requested me to look about among 

 the shipping for a suitable vessel to perform the contemplated voyage. 

 Finding no one in the port of New- York which exactly pleased me, I 

 proceeded to Philadelphia, and from thence to Baltimore ; but with 

 no better success. I had the good fortune, however, to return to 

 New- York just as the schooner Tartar arrived from Curagao ; a sharp 

 fast-sailing vessel, of one hundred and fifty-four tons — in short, the very 

 craft I wanted. 



I hastened to inform the above-named gentlemen of my success, 

 who immediately struck a bargain for the Tartar, had her newly cop- 

 pered, and in every respect completely equipped for a long voyage. 

 Provisions, salt, and every thing necessary or convenient for the enter- 

 prise were liberally furnished by the owners; so that on the 18th of 

 July, 1824, the Tartar was lying in the North River, in every respect 

 ready for sea. 



Constant activity, the bustle of business, and the natural excitement 

 of my present occupations, afforded very little room for melancholy 

 reflections ; especially as every hour's relaxation was spent in the 

 cheerful and affectionate society of my sisters, my cousins, and a few 

 of their fair and amiable friends. One of these pretty cousins had 

 long been a favourite with us all. She was a sprightly, amiable little 

 girl, not yet quite five years in her teens ; and possessed the rare fac- 

 ulty of winning the affections of all around her. I had often in jest, when 

 [ had nothing to bestow, promised to make her my heir ; and I now 



