September. 
^6 WHITE's JOURNALOFA 
17^7- mafter of the Sirius, and two of his midlliipmen, who had 
been put on the invalid lift, aboard an Englifli fhip return*- 
ing from the Southern whale fifhery to England, which, be- 
ing leaky, had been forced into Rio. As this fhip was to 
fail in a few days, it furnifhed us with an opportunity of 
writing to our friends. About two in the afternoon the 
commodore made the fignal for all officers to repair on 
board their refpedlive fhips, and for the tranfports to hoift in 
their boats. 
4th. At fix the fleet weighed with a light land breeze. 
On the commodore's approaching Santa Cruz Fort, he was 
faluted from the batteries with twenty-one guns ; which he 
returned from the Sirius with an equal number. About ten 
o'clock we got clear of the land, fteering to the eaftward 
with a gentle breeze. Thomas Brown, a convidt, was pu- 
nifhed with a dozen laflies, for behaving infolently to one of 
the officers of the fhip. This was the firft that had received 
any punifhment, fince their embarkation on board the Char- 
lotte. 
5th. Wind variable and cloudy ; Rio Sugar-loaf ftill in 
light, about eight or nine leagues diftant. 
6th. The officers, ffiip's company, marines, and convids, 
I were. 
