36 



porter's jour:^al. 



for his extreme civility, and to inform him that there was a 

 gentleman on board, who was intimately acquainted with 

 sir James Yeo, and was going from Brazils direct to En- 

 gland, who would take charge of the letter and dehver it to 

 sir James. About three o'clock, lieutenant Downes re- 

 turned with the letter, which, on opening, I found to con- 

 tain as follows : 



My dear Mediterranean Friend, 



Probably you may stop here ; don't attempt to water ; it 

 is attended with too much difficulty. I learnt before I left 

 England, that you were bound to the Brazil coast ; if so, 

 perhaps we may meet at St. Salvadore or Rio Janeiro : I 

 should be happy to meet and converse on our old affairs of 

 captivity ; recollect our secret in those times. 



Your friend, of H. M's. ship Acasta, 



KERR. 



Sir James Yeo, of H, B, J\Ps» ship Southampton, 



(The following was written in sympathetic ink.) 

 I am bound off St. Salvadore, thence off Cape Frio, 

 where I intend to cruise until the 1st of January. Go off 

 Cape Frio, to the northward of Rio Janeiro, and keep a 

 look out for mc. 



Your friend. 

 Sir James Yeo, of H, B, J\Ps, ship Soiitharnpton, 



As this was the second rendezvous fixed on by Commo - 

 dore Bainbridge, I was not at loss to divine whence the let- 

 ter was from, nor for whom it was intended. 



We immediately hoisted up our boat and made sail to the 

 southward. 



The Portuguese island of Fernando de Noronha, is in la- 

 titude 3° 54' 28" south, and longitude 32° 36' 38" west from 

 London, It is well fortified in every part, and its popula- 

 tion consists of a few miserable, naked, exiled Portuguese, 

 and as miserable a guard. The governor is changed every 

 three years, and during his term of service in the island, has 

 the privilege of disposing of its produce to his own emolu- 

 ment. Cattle in abundance, hogs, goats, fowls, &:c. may be 

 had there, as well as corn, melons, cocoa-nuts, &c. &c. 

 Ships, formerly, frequently touched for refreshments j wood^ 



