144 
PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
and desire to give satisfaction, had endeared him to every person 
on board. Tamaha was ever lively and cheerful, constantly at 
work during working hours, and after the work was over, his 
chief employment was in amusing the crew by dancing after the 
manner of his own country, or in imitating the dancers, and the 
exercise of the troops of ours; he was to all a favourite. Tama¬ 
ha could not bear the shame of a blow; he shed a torrent of tears, 
and declared that no one should strike him again: we were about 
twenty miles from the land, night was coming on, and it was blow¬ 
ing fresh with a considerable sea; Tamaha jumped overboard un¬ 
discovered, and was seen no more. 
Whether he took with him an oar or small spar to buoy 
himself up; whether he hoped to reach the shore; or whether he 
determined to put an end to his existance I cannot pretend to say; 
the distance, however, was so great, and the sea so rough, that 
I cannot entertain a hope of his surviving. His loss was great¬ 
ly lamented by us all, and his melancholy fate caused a general 
dejection. 
Prior to leaving the bay, I delivered to Mr. Downes the fol¬ 
lowing orders; and as it was not absolutely necessary that the 
ships should remain together, I made the best of my way, regard¬ 
less of the Essex Junior: but the two ships sailed so near alike, 
that we rarely lost sight of her for more than a few hours hours 
for several days together. 
17. S . frigate Essex. MassachusettssBay , Madison's Island , 9th 
December , 1813. 
Sir, 
In case of separation you will proceed with the ship under 
your command for the island of Mocha, off which place you will 
cruize until I join you, which will be as soon as possible. If you 
should take any prizes, it will be well to anchor them there, or at 
the island of St. Maries, until we meet. 
You must endeavour to prevent (by every means in your 
power) the enemy from gaining intelligence of your being on the 
coast, as it is my present intention to cruize between Mocha and 
Valparaiso as long as our provisions will last. Should so long a 
time elapse without your seeing me, as to justify the belief of my 
bfetng lost or taken, you will proceed to Valparaiso to renew your 
