July 24rth 
1861 
July 25th 
Sept. 4 
Tuesday 
Sept. 22nd 
1861 
Sunday 
Sept. 23rd 
More tain and a good deal of surf; could have shipped but very little 
guano the first week. 
Clearer weather. Nothing to do. Lonesome and all but moody. Surf 
abates a little but could hardly call it good shipping weather. This 
is evidently one on the (?) The swell is about changing from South 
East to N. West and the conformation of the island is such that the 
heavisit surf must be about this time of year and six months later 
when the swell changes back. 
This day arrived Brig Josephine with my family. As soon as they come 
on shore and we got our porvisions off the vessel sailed. 
Journal from the arrival of the Ship "Star of the Union" Capt. F.F.Gor 
ham of New York. 
Was walking around the island and after turning the S.E. point saw a 
sail close in to the Leeward side of the island. Retunred as soon as 
possible to the house, and got the men and boat ready to board, 
which I did about an hour before sundown. From her having no private 
signal I did not expect to find hers a ship for the Am. G. Co. 
Got on board, and enquired of the Capt. who he was and what for. 
He only answered that latter question, saying that he was after a 
cargo of guano by authority of the U.S. Guano Co; at the same time 
he referred me to Capt. A.W. (?) Penhallow who he said was the 
business man. Capt. Penhallow told me he came fully prepared to 
take a cargo of guano forcibly if necessary — at the same time I bb- 
served they had a large number of men on board and several brass and 
iron cannon which seemed to have been lately exercised. I protested 
against their landing and immediately returned onshore. They send 
a launch and small boat shortly after with an anchor which they 
dropped and ran a line for the ship and by sundown were fast. 
Went on board the ship early in the morning ascertained the nam e to 
be the "Star of the Union" Capt Gorham, 30 or more days from 
San Francisco. 
Gave Capt. Penhallow my protest no 1 which is on file and returned. 
They succeeded in planting an anchor on the reef from a luanch 
to which they shackled on a chain and even if the ship at this time 
