PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
19 
reeled him to state to the governor that we were an American fri¬ 
gate wanting supplies, to request his permission to obtain them, to 
inform him I should fire a salme provided he would return gun 
for gun, and that l should, provided I anchored, take the ear¬ 
liest opportunity of making my respects to him. On the'return 
of Mr. Downes, he informed me that the governor could not be seen, 
as he had gone to take his afternoon nap, but that the lietenant-go- 
vernor, or second in command, informed him we could obtain every 
supply we stood in need of; that the salute should be returned gun 
for gun; that the governor would be happy to see me on shore; ex¬ 
pressed his astonishment that I should have asked permission to 
come in ; and concluded with an offer of his services in procuring 
the supplies we might want. Mr. Downes informed me that no 
government vessels of war had been at Praya ; that the Ameri¬ 
can privateer Yankey from Boston, and another privateer from 
Salem, and an armed British schooner, had been there not long 
since. I consequently concluded on stopping a. few days, and during 
the time to fill up our water, and take in refreshments. I therefore 
ran in and anchored in seven fathoms water, clear sandy bottom, 
the flag-staff bearing N.N.W., and the east end of Quail Island 
west by compass. We fired the salute, which was punctually re¬ 
turned. 
At 9 o’clock on the morning of the 28th, I waited on his excel¬ 
lency, accompanied by some of the officers. He was en’gaged at 
the time on some business at the custom-house, as I was informed, 
and could not be seen until about 11: the second in command, 
however, major Medina (who -spoke such English as he was ena¬ 
bled to pick up from the captains and crews of such American 
vessels as touched at the Isle of Mayo for salt, where he was go¬ 
vernor), entertained us during the interval, making offers of his 
services in procuring the supplies, of which we gave him a list; 
and, after making the necessary arrangements, and fixing on the 
prices, we waited on the governor, whom we found at his house, 
dressed in all his splendor to receive us. His reception was of the 
most friendly nature, and I am persuaded he was much pleased to 
see us in the port. He appeared astonished that I should have 
sent in for permission to enter the port. I informed him, that as 
