PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
visions ; yet, with a more abundant supply of such articles, ships 
have frequently been afflicted with this disease, after being a less 
time at sea than the Essex. Our crew had now perfectly reco¬ 
vered from the dysentery, with which they were attacked after 
leaving St. Catharines ; and we had but one man on board, seri¬ 
ously ill; and he was a marine, afflicted by a pulmonary com¬ 
plaint. Indeed the extraordinary health of the crew surprises me 
(considering the privations they have suffered since the cruize 
commenced), and I can only attribute it to the steady attention to 
cleanliness, and to their comfort, and to their cheerful disposition. 
No doubt, the good provisions and the excellent water we have 
been blessed with, have tended greatly to promote it. 
The albatrosses, and other birds that frequent high latitudes, 
now began to assemble around us, but in small numbers; many 
experiments were made to catch them, but they all failed ; we also 
saw two whales. The colour of the water continued to indicate 
soundings; but we could not reach the bottom with 160 fa¬ 
thoms of line ; rock-weed was also seen. 
On the morning of the 3d, the morning appeared more set¬ 
tled ; the sun rose clear; a breeze sprung up from the north- 
west, and had every appearance of continuing. All sail was set 
to the best advantage ; and we steered, by compass, S.S.W. ^ W„ 
By meridian our rate was increased to 9 knots per hour. I flat¬ 
tered myself with the expectation of a speedy and pleasant run 
to the Streightsof le Maire ; our latitude was 42° 14' 30" south ; 
longitude, 59° 9' 51" west; and the variation of the compass, 14 Q 
52' east. With a view of relieving the anxiety of my crew, I ad¬ 
dressed to them the following note, which produced the happiest 
effect, as it diffused a general joy throughout the ship, and serv¬ 
ed to convince me, that although the times of many of my best 
men were near expiring, I had nothing to apprehend from their 
disaffection. 
SAILORS AND MARINES ! 
A large increase of the enemy’s force compels us to abandon 
a coast, that will neither afford us security nor supplies; nor are 
there any inducements for a longer continuance there. We will, 
