62 
PORTER’S JOURNAL, 
Vinegar, 6 weeks and 4 days 
Molasses, 7 do. 5 do. 
I calculated that it would not take me more than two months 
‘ and a half to get round to Conception, where I was confident of 
procuring an abundant supply of jerked beef, fish, flour, and 
wine. I calculated, that the prizes we should make in the Pa¬ 
cific, would supply us with such articles of naval stores as we 
should require; and although there was considerable responsibility 
attached to the proceeding, and the undertaking was greater than 
had yet been engaged in by any single ship on similar pursuits, 
time did not admit of delay, and, immediately on getting to sea, I 
directed my course to the southward. 
The intelligence given me by the captain of the Portuguese 
vessel, was such as I could place the utmost confidence in, for 
his description of the captured vessel answered exactly to that 
of the Hornet. He stated to me, that she had been cruizing off 
Bahia, in company with a very large frigate, to intercept a British 
sloop of war at that place; but that she had separated from the 
frigate, and was bound to the southward, when she was cap¬ 
tured off the Albrothas shoal. He further stated, that the Ame¬ 
rican frigate had sunk a British frigate, after a desperate en¬ 
gagement, in which the British vessel had lost her masts. 
Before I proceed farther, however, it is necessary that I should 
say something of St. Catharines. 
This island has been settled by the Portuguese about 70 years: 
the town, which appears to be in rather a thriving state, is situated 
on that point of the island nearest the continent, and may contain 
about 10,000 inhabitants ; here the captain-general resides. It 
appears to be a place of considerable business: several brigs and 
schooners were lying before the town, and the stores were nu¬ 
merous, and well supplied with dry goods, which were sold cheap. 
The town is pleasantly situated ; the bay before it apparently com¬ 
modious ; and the people industrious. It is defended by two small 
forts, one opposite the middle of the town on a small island, joined 
to it by a causeway; the other, on a point projecting towards the con¬ 
tinent. The houses are generally neatly built, and the country at 
the back of the town is in a state of considerable improvement. But 
