194 



PORTER S JOURNAL, 



was always glad to make my escape, on accoiiiit of the in- 

 numerable swarms of fleas with which they were infested. 

 The house of the governor was no more exempt from this 

 plague than those of the plebeians, of which his wife and 

 naked children bore innumerable testimiOnies, in the large 

 red blotches on their necks and bodies. 



The men of this place seem to be of the lowest class of 

 those who call themselves civilized ; and the women, al- 

 though of fine forms, animated, cheerful, and handsome 

 countenances, are destitute of all that delicacy, the posses- 

 sion of which only can render the female lovely in our eyes. 

 The inhabitants, finding that I had some presents to dispose 

 of, came flocking to the governor's, some with a nosegay, 

 some with a pair of fowls, a half dozen of eggs, a few 

 oranges, watermelons, goats, or whatever else they consi- 

 dered most likely to extort from me something of value. 

 Having soon got clear of the articles I had taken with me, 

 which consisted of silk shawls, &;c., and having nothing else 

 to dispose of, I was compelled to leave them, in the expec- 

 tation of my returning with a larger supply. I left Mr. 

 Shaw, the purser, to procure a supply of fruit and vegeta- 

 bles for the crew, not considering it prudent to remain all 

 night from the ship, a tiling I was by no means induced to 

 do on a view of the bed I should in such case have been 

 compelled to occupy, v^^liich consisted of four stakes stuck 

 in the ground, with reeds laid across, and over that a thin 

 mat. 



On my return to the ship, a most disagreeable circum- 

 stance took place, which, for the credit of the ship, and of 

 the officers of the American navy generally, I wish it was 

 not necessary to relate. As, however, it took place in the 

 presence of our prisoners, who no doubt will make their re- 

 presentation of it, with suitable embellishments, alterations, 

 and exaggerations, and as it led to some changes of consi- 

 derable importance, I conceive it proper to give a correct 

 statement of the affair. 



Lieutenant W., the (then) second lieutenant, had in two 

 or three instances been intoxicated, so much so as to com- 

 pel me once to arrest him, as at such times his conduct had 

 been extremely violent and offensive to all on board. But 

 as this officer possessed many good qualities, and was 

 much esteemed for his goodness of heart, his brother offi- 



