as, expert marksmen would not have fired, until tliey were 

 sure of shooting them through some vital part. I have no 

 doubt, that in the few hours we were on shore, we were the 

 cause of the death of at least a dozen horses, and double 

 the number of hogs, that made their escape after being 

 wounded ; and from the great number of bones that are scat- 

 tered in every direction of the island, I have reason to be- 

 lieve, that the same cruel warfare has been pursued by other 

 navigators, who have touched there. The animals are so nu- 

 merous, that one good marksman could more than supply 

 a ship's company of three hundred men with fresh provi- 

 sions, without making such cruel and unnecessary destruc- 

 tion among them, as I have too much reason to believe we 

 caused ; and it is greatly to be lamented, that visiters to this 

 island should indulge themselves in such wanton cruelty, as 

 must, in time, deprive navigators of those refreshments, they 

 may be otherwise certain of meeting with. As they enjoy in 

 common these advantages, it is a duty they owe to each 

 other, to endeavour as much as possible to preserve them. 



This island, which is situated in latitude 38" 21' 37" south, 

 longitude 74° 38' 26" west, is about twenty miles in circum- 

 ference, has a verdant and beautiful appearance, its hills 

 being covered to their summits with trees of a large size^ 

 and clumps of them are near the water's edge, which ren-^ 

 ders wooding very easy. Ships may also supply themselves 

 with excellent water, from several beautiful streams, which 

 discharge themselves on the west side. It would, however, 

 be necessary to wait for a favourable time to take the casks 

 off, as, when the sea is high, the surf beats with great vio- 

 lence. 



It was settled in the early part of the last century by the 

 Spaniards, and was deserted by them, perhaps in conse- 

 quence of the terrors excited by the buccaniers. It is now 

 frequented by vessels engaged in smuggling, and in the whale 

 fishery, as well as those employed in catching seals ; great 

 numbers of which are always to be found on the rocks and 

 small keys. Shags, penguins, and other aquatic birds, are 

 to be found in great numbers ; the woods are filled with 

 birds of various descriptions ; and apples and purslain grow 

 on different parts of the island. Our short stay here did 

 not enable me to give this interesting spot so thorough an 

 examination as I could have wished : but I s^w enough to 



