
          [Norfolk?][Me?] 31st 1853

Dear Dr.,

Yesterday the squadron (our ship excepted) was to
sail at midnight yet we are all here at 7 o'clock [inserted: a.m.] with wind
from the N.E. which, says the pilot, won't take us out of the 
[roads?]. Yet the pilots are all onboard and we are tied to the
Vincennes by a hawser whether for towing or not I am 
uninformed. Moreover it is rather gusty with light showers.
I see no sail spread yet today we expected to be in the
Gulf Stream and then lookout seasick folks. It is not a 
very pleasant anticipation still less so the reality. I expect 
to go through the mill. Hope I may come out new
and, not young, but fresh.

Capt. Ringgold has directed all letter for him
to be sent to Singapore, Batavia, Hong Kong, or 
Macao, until further advices from him. So I 
hope to hear from you as often as you can make
it convenient. I shall expect to get a copy of
such things as you publish so that I may be something
of a student not a mere collector. And if you want
to be particularly obliging you may send me some weekly
paper from your city, a thing which I neglected when
I was there.

At 9 o'clock commenced running out of the harbor towing
the Vincennes. The Porpoise and Fennimore Cooper still 
at anchor in the harbor. We expect to go no farther
than the Roads tod[inserted: a]y & wait there a visit from Secy [Secretary]
Dobbin and a fair breeze.
        