porter's journal 



141 



his gentle disposition, his activity, and desire to give satis- 

 faction, had endeared him to every person in the ship- 

 Tamaha was ever lively and cheerful, constantly at work 

 during working hours, and after the work was over, his 

 chief employment was in amusing the crew by dancing 

 after the manner of his own country, or in imitating the 

 dancers, and the exercise of ours ; he was with all a favour- 

 ite. Tamaha could not bear the shame of a blow ; he 

 shed a torrent of tears, and declared that no one should 

 strike him again. We were about twenty miles from 

 the land, night was coming on, and it was blowing fresh 

 with a considerable sea. Tamaha jumped overboard un- 

 discovered, and was seen no more. 



Whether he took with him an oar, or small spar, to buoy 

 himself up ; whether he hoped to reach the shore ; or 

 whether he determined to put an end to his existence, I 

 cannot pretend to say ; the distance, however, was so great, 

 and the sea so rough, that I cannot entertain a hope of his 

 surviving. His loss was greatly lamented by us all, and 

 his melancholy fate caused a general dejection. 



Prior to leaving the bay, ( delivered to iVIr. Downes 

 the following orders ; and as it was not absolutely neces- 

 sary that the ships should remain together, I made the best 

 of my way, regardless of the Essex Junior. But the two 

 ships sailed so near alike, that we rarely lost sight of 

 her for more than a few hours, during several days to- 

 gether, 



U. S, frigate Essex, Massachusetts Bay, Madison^s Island^ 

 9th December, 1813. 



Sir, 



In case of separation, you will proceed with the ship 

 under your command for the island of Mocha, off which 

 place you will cruise until I join you, which will be as soon 

 as possible. If you should take any prizes it will be well 

 to anchor them there, or at the island of St. Maries, until 

 we meet. 



You must endeavour to prevent (by every means in 

 your power) the enemy from gaining intelligence of your 

 being on the coast, as it is my present intention to cruise 

 between Mocha and Valparaiso as long as our provisions 

 will last. Should so long a time elapse without your seeing 



