PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
51 
We consequently all went to work, sent down the main and mizen 
top-masts, stripped them of their rigging, and before night had 
completed all our repairs. 
On the 5th, in the morning, spoke a Portuguese smack from 
Rio, bound to Bahia; had seen nothing of the convoy; and at me¬ 
ridian spoke a Spanish brig, with troops from Bahia, bound to 
Monte Video, out 8 days ; confirmed the account of the Ameri¬ 
can frigate and sloop of war. As the winds had now shifted to 
the northward, and blew in fresh gales, I concluded it would be 
best to make as much easting as possible, to be in a situation to 
take advantage of any favourable change. Our latitude on the 
meridian of this day, 22° 13' 17" S.; longitude 36° 49' 30" W. 
Our crew continue to be remarkably healthy, there being but 
one man under the doctor’s charge ; and he a carpenter, who ac¬ 
cidentally cut his foot with an adze, in making the trussle-trees. 
Between the 6th and 12th, nothing of any importance occur¬ 
red ; the winds being obstinately from the northward, and conti¬ 
nuing to blow in fresh gales ; nor did I perceive a chance of a 
change. I determined, therefore, to give up all further pursuit of 
the convoy that had already taken us so far from the track of 
other British vessels, and at 9, A. M., wore round, and stood to 
the westward. Our latitude at noon was 24° 39' 44" S.; longi¬ 
tude 27° 43' 20" W. My intention was to run into St. Sebas¬ 
tians or St. Catharines, as the wind should suit. My object in go¬ 
ing into port was to procure a supply of wood and water, which 
were both getting low ; and to get refreshments for my crew, as 
X began to be apprehensive of the effects of salt provisions. I 
gave the preference to St. Catharines, however, as it was more 
distant from Rio Janeiro ; and I should have an opportunity of 
getting to sea again, before the enemy could hear of me; for as 
St. Sebastians is but one day’s run from Rio Janeiro, there would 
have been a certainty of my being attacked, or blockaded, if the 
expected reinforcements should have arrived. At St. Catharines, 
I had not so much to apprehend from an attack, as I had under¬ 
stood the place to be well fortified, and could protect us : added 
to this, it was a place of more importance. I had reason to expect 
that I should be enabled to procure a supply of bread, flour rum. 
