184 



A VOYAGE TO 



of pamperos^ or south-west winds, was approfacliing, 

 and from the known dangers and difficulties of the 

 navigation, the commodore felt a reluctance to run a 

 greater risk' than was absolutely unavoidable. Part- 

 ly, therefore, in compliance with the wishes of the 

 commissioners, especially of Mr. Bland, and partly 

 in consequence of an understanding with captain 

 Hickey of the Blossom, who was also bound for the 

 river, he changed his original intention, and resolved 

 to go directly to Monte Video, and there procure the 

 necessary vessel. The Blossom drawing much less 

 water, and her commander having some acquaintance 

 with the river, it was thought that being in com- 

 pany with him, would be an advantage of some impor- 

 tance. 



An occurrence took place some days previous to our 

 sailing, of somewhat an uppleasant nature, and as 

 some notice has been taken of it in the public prints, 

 it may be proper to give a statement of the circum- 

 stances. One of the seamen, who had served as inter- 

 preter to the watering parties, or other purposes on 

 shore, had taken advantage of the opportunity to stray 

 from his companions, whether for the purpose of fro- 

 licking, or of desertion it was not known. The day 

 after, however, two of our lieutenants, (Ramsey and 

 Berry,) accidentally met him in the street, and order- 

 ed him to his duty, to which he seemed to submit, al- 

 leging as an excuse for his fault, that he had been in- 

 toxicated. Intending to see him embark in the boat, 

 they proceeded with him some distance, when he sud- 

 denly attempted fo escape, and was seized by one of 

 the lieutenants. He cried out for help, declaring him^ 

 self a Portuguese subject^ and that he had been im- 



