in the Pacific Ocean. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Gallipagos Islands ; Frizes. 



On arriving opposite to Charles^ Island, we could perceive no 

 vessels ; but understanding that vessels which stopped there for 

 refreshments, such as turtle and land tortoise, and for wood, 

 were in the practice of depositing letters in a box placed for 

 the purpose near the landing-place, (which is a small beach 

 sheltered by rocks, about the middle of the bay,) I dispatched 

 Lieutenant Downes to ascertain if any vessels had been lately 

 there, and to bring oW such letters as might be of use to us, if 

 he should find any. He returned in about three hours, with 

 several papers, taken from a box which he found nailed to a 

 post, over which was a black sign, on which was painted Hatha., 

 way's Post-office. There were none of them of a late date, but 

 they were satisfactory, inasmuch as they confirmed the informa^ 

 tion we had already received, both as respected the practice of 

 vessels touching there, and cruising among the other islands for 

 whales. From these papers I obtained information, that, in 

 June last, the following British whale-ships had been put in there, 

 on their way to the island of Albemarle, where they generally 

 cruise for a year at a time, and some even for a longer period, 

 to wit : 



Ship Governor Dodswell, Captain B. Gardner, with 170 



tons sperm oil. 

 Charlton, Haleran, 120 bbls. 



Nimrod, Parray, 250 bbls. 



Hector, Richards, 220 bbls. 



Atlantic, Wyer, 1000 bbls. 



Cyrus, West, 600 bbls. 



There were letters also from their commanders, giving in- 

 formation that the American ships Perseveranda, Paddock, and 

 the Snkey, Macey, the first with two hundred, the latter with 

 one hundred and fifty barrels of sperm oil, had touched there. 

 Considering Captain Macey's letter as a rare specimen of ortho- 

 graphyj I hope I shall be pardoned for giving an exact copy 

 of it. 



June 14th, 1812. 

 Ship Sukey John Macey 7| Months out 150 Barrels 75 

 days from Lima No oil Since Leaving that Port. Spaniards Very 

 Savage Lost on the Braziel Bank John Sealin Apprentice to 

 Capt Benjamin Worth Fell from the fore top sail Yard In A 

 Gale of Wind. Left Diana ('apt paddock 14! day Since 250 



