168 



PORTER S JOURxN AL. 



water. Shortly after we had bore away, with the Monte- 

 zuma in tow, a signal was made from the Policy to speak 

 with me. I felt a conviction in my own mind that it was 

 caused by the death of that poor unhappy man, doctor Mil- 

 ler ; and on the arrival of the boat along-side, it proved to 

 be the case. He had died a few minutes before the signal 

 was made, and it was supposed that the danger we were in 

 of going on shore the preceding night, as well as the disap- 

 pointment occasioned by our not being able to get clear of 

 the islands, tended greatly to hasten his death. I directed 

 a coffin to be made for him, with an intention of burying 

 him on one of the islands, if it should be in my power, and 

 requested Mr. Shaw to go on board to make arrangements 

 for his funeral. 



I now appointed doctor Hoffman acting surgeon of the 

 Essex, with the pay and emoluments of surgeon. The in- 

 defatigable attention of this gentleman to the sick merits 

 the highest encomiums, and to his providential care may 

 be attributed, in a great measure, the extraordinary health 

 we have all to this period enjoyed. 



I ran close in for Charles' Island, and sent the boat on 

 shore with the following note, to be left in the bottle, and 

 on her return bore away for Albemarle. 



May 25th, 181 3. 

 After vain attempts to get to the continent, I am again 

 brought back by the current to Charles' Island. I shall 

 make the best of my way to Banks' Bay, and shall there 

 look around Rodando and the Culpeppers ; and from 

 thence (to make sure work of it) I shall proceed for the 

 island of Cocos, as our want of water makes this absolutely 

 necessary. If, however, it should so happen that the cur- 

 rent should change, and the wind favour us in an uncom- 

 mon degree, I shall proceed agreeably to my original in- 

 tentions. But I should wish you to touch at Cocos, where 

 it is likely you may find me, or at all events you will know 

 if I have been there ; and if it is attended with no other ad- 

 vantage, you will be enabled to fill your water casks. 

 Should you not hear of me at Cocos, you may naturally 

 conclude that I have sjone to the appointed rendezvous on 

 the continent. 



