July.] VISIT TO STONINGTON— DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. 337 



Antarctic, expressed great satisfaction at the successful result of our 

 voyage, and were pleased to speak to me in terms of high approba- 

 tion 5 which was, of course, very grateful to my feelings. The plea- 

 sure of knowing that we have faithfully discharged our duty is much 

 heightened by the approbation of our employers. I now laid before 

 them my favourite plan of jerking beef on the coast of Africa, but 

 they all declined entering into the speculation. 



During this week we finished discharging the cargo of the Antarc- 

 tic, at the quarantine ; and in a few days afterward, that elegant 

 vessel was once more moored at the wharf in front of the ship-yard 

 where she was built, with the rigging taken from her mast-heads. 

 Here I took my leave of her for a short time, for the purpose of pay- 

 ing a visit to my father, sister, and other friends in Connecticut. 



This excursion to Stonington yielded me much enjoyment. 

 Every one was well and happy, and the place improving and in- 

 creasing in wealth and importance. I was extremely glad to learn 

 that the spirit of patriotism and enterprise which has ever distin- 

 guished the inhabitants of this place, had received some encourage- 

 ment from government, in appropriating funds for erecting a lighthouse 

 and constructing a breakwater ; and that the state legislature had 

 granted them a charter for a bank. 



I united with them in celebrating the anniversary of the memorable 

 bombardment of that place, which is strictly observed, not only by 

 " the sterner sex," but also by the females of every age, from the 

 blooming girl to the silvery headed matron. After attending to this 

 patriotic festival, and spending a few very happy days with my father 

 awd sister, I took my leave of Stonington, and returned to New- York ; 

 where I found that my friend Captain William Skiddy, commander 

 and part owner of the Havre packet Francis the First, had arrived 

 during my absence. This gentleman was one of the owners of the 

 Antarctic ; and, as a ship-master and a gentleman, sustains an elevated 

 rank in the estimation of the community. 



On calling to see my venerable friend Bergh, he informed me that 

 it was the unanimous wish of the owners that I would again take 

 charge of the Antarctic, and proceed on a voyage to the South Seas 

 and Pacific Ocean. This request I was ready to comply with ; and 

 entered into the scheme with so much alacrity, that by the latter end 

 of July, the schooner was in readiness to receive her stores and pro- 

 visions, with every other necessary article ; and by the 1st of Sep- 

 tember, we once more found ourselves ready for sea ; the Antarctic 

 lying in the East River, abreast of Catharine market. 



In the mean time, my wife had informed me, that during my late 

 absence she had made up her mind to accompany me on my next 

 voyage, be it to whatever section of the globe it might, even to the 

 icy regions of the antarctic circle. So much had she suffered from 

 anxiety of mind on my account, during the last twelve months, that 

 she assured me she could not survive another such separation. 



"Only take me with you, Benjamin," was her constant reply to all 

 my expostulations against the measure, " and I will pledge myself to 

 lighten your cares, instead of adding to their weight. I am willing to 



