sorter's journal. 



John M. Maury, midshipman U. S. N. 

 M. W. Bostwick, acting midshipman U. S. N. 

 William Smith, master of the American ship 

 Albatross 



William H. Odenheimer, acting surgeon master 

 U. S. N. 



Wilson P. Hunt, agent for the American North 

 Pacific fur company, 



Bejamin Clapp, \ ^''^'^^"^ 



The wooding, watering, and taking on board the provi- 

 sions and stores, went on expeditiously, and all appeared 

 to exert themselves to hasten our departure. The Alba- 

 tross remained with us but a few days, when she sailed on 

 her return to the Sandwich Islands. Previous to her de- 

 parture I sold to her commander the guns mounted on Fort 

 Madison, solely with a view of doing away any impression 

 as to my motives in mounting them there. All now sup- 

 posed that it was done only with a view of going through 

 the formality of taking possession ; but at a suitable time 

 after her departure they were replaced by others. 



On the Albatross going to sea, which was on the 24th of 

 November, I sent some of my boats to tow her out, and 

 went on board myself to deliver to the captain all our 

 letters, carefully put up in lead, to be thrown overboard 

 in case of capture. I went as far as the mouth of the 

 harbour, when finding the morning pleasant, and the sea 

 smooth, I determined to proceed to the bay, which I had 

 understood was to the westward, for the purpose of giving 

 it an examination. I accordingly despatched Mr. Shaw 

 to the frigate for arms, and on his rejoining me we put off, 

 and arrived in the bay we were in search of in about an 

 hour and a half. The distance from Massachusetts Bay 

 was supposed to be about eight miles, the coast between 

 being generally iron bound, with the exception of two 

 beaches and some coves making in, which did not appear 

 to offer any shelter or other advantages. The bay, of 

 which we could see no traces, until we were very close in 

 with it, is narrow at its entrance, and makes in two coves, 

 I Ihe most eastern of which affords the best shelter and 

 landing, but appears destitute of inhabitants, and (1 con- 



VOL, IT, 11 



