PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
167 
other islands in sight, with those laid down on Colnet’s chart, the 
only one which has been .drawn of the Gallapagos, I felt myself 
much staggered in the belief of this being James’, but thought it 
not unlikely that the want of correspondence might be owing to 
the general incorrectness of the chart, as we have found it filled 
with errors, none of the islands being laid down agreeable to their 
true position ; nor are the shores of any of them correctly traced; 
and there are also many islands in this groupe not noticed in his 
chart: but it is not to be wondered that captain Colnet did not 
make a correct chart of the Gallapagos, as he merely sailed 
around the groupe, without passing through it ; and had he even 
passed, as we have done, twice through them, strong currents 
and foggy weather would have tended greatly to mislead his 
judgment, and baffle all calculation as to distance. Raving my 
doubts as to this being Janies’ Island, although its great extent 
appeared to justify ihe belief, I make a signal for the Georgiana 
to proceed a-head, whiie we ran through the passage between 
that and a smaller island on the larboard bow, which to me had 
much the appearance of Barrington Island; but as all declared 
it to be Norfolk Island, 1 must acknowledge that I felt myself 
at loss to know what part of the cluster I had gotten into. I did 
not, however, believe the large island to be James’ ; and as a fine 
breeze sprang up from the northward, and a strong current set 
from the same quarter, I determined to give up the idea of mak¬ 
ing any further examination, with a view of getting to the south¬ 
ward, with the dull-sailing vessels under my care, hoping to reach 
Hood’s Island, to get on board some tarrapins, as a refreshment 
for the crew. I consequently made a signal for a boat to be sent 
from the Georgiana, and sent to lieutenant Downes the following 
orders : 
United States frigate Essex, at sea, Chatham Island 
Sir, bearing south-east, 12th May, 1813. 
You will proceed to Albemarle, searching Charles’ or James’ 
island, whichever is most convenient, in your way. I shall en¬ 
deavour to get into the harbour at Hood’s island, where I should 
wish you to join me, if practicable; from thence I shall proceed 
