have of their own freedom, they are apt to encroach very much on
the liberty of others, and to behave rudely to their passengers; all
which has brought them into bad repute, much to their own disadvantage.”
I for my part have made but one passage in an American
vessel, and that was with Capt. Loring, a native of Boston, who
was as social and civil a man as I could wish to sail with, and his
fine ship, the Vulture, was provided with every possible accommodation
for passengers; yet,, according to many reports* it seems
very necessary to obtain at first particular information of the character
of these captains, before any agreement is entered into with
them.
I t has happened therefore very fortunately, that the brig Vesta
was about to sail from hence to Providence, in the,United States.
The master, Captain J. Petty, has been for a number of years a
trader to Surinam ; and stands in high reputation here, so that we
soon agreed for the passage. *i
On the seventh of June wé sailed from Surinam, to which country
I shall always be attached, where nature is só splendid and profuse
in her productions: my health has' been much improved, and
the inhabitants have shewn me the greatest civilities! ' Several of
them endeavoured to persuade me to stay a year longer in South
America, as they thought I was about to expose myself too soon to
a cold climate again: but when they saw that I was determined on
the voyage, they sent me a number of the choicest tropical fruits,
expressing their wish to contribute to the comforts of my passage.
! The captain proved of a very amiable disposition, and I had
every reason to be pleased with the recommendation Ï had re_
ceived óf him: there was but one more passenger, who had beën a
super-Cargo in an English ship coming from Monte Video; but' he
had*staid there all the time on board of his ship, and sailing as
soon as the cargo was sold, he could therefore give no description:
óf that interesting country.
Oitr voyage, though nothing interesting has happened; has been
very favourable to our passage, as during the twenty-six days of our,
being a t sea; we experienced not a single interr uption in our course,
neither fry heavy gales, nor dead calms, nor did such heavy rains
fall as to keep us long from the deck. On the third of July, as we,
were entering the bay of Naragansett, on which the town Providence
lies, the captain pointed*!# the north,' where thick clouds were
gathering, and said, “Just in tinad, we are now at our journey's ehd”;
When the Vesta came to a n a nfehoiy we were informed by- se ve- •
ral American gentlemen who came to Visit Ws, that though it w#s at
present the. season for the «hips to ride* quarantine, yet as we came*
from a- place where no contagious5diseases prevailed, and the doc-:
tor having gained every necessary information on-uhe subject, we
should: not be detained* any longer on board; particularly as the
next day wasithe fourth of July, the celebration of the anniversary
of American independence; which we very likely would wish to sec./
Dr. -Mason was at the same, time so obliging as .to-direct me to the
best tavern in this town, and to invite me the next day to see a part'
of the procession from his house, t
On the fourth of July in the morning, the; colours of the United
States were displayed in many of the prindpal streets, accompanied
by bands of music. The procession began by the militia; they
were well and uniformly dressed, an l'i cavalry had:good horses,
which is all that, could be judgedof them that day.' The magistrates, >
and all those in public offices, joined the procession, and went* to
the new church, where a sermon of thanksgiving was delivered; and
the rCst bf the day celebrated in convivial meetings. In the eveniigi
a tragedy was performed, the subject of which was The* Death, of-
Major Andr6, and though not very striking' in» theatrical beauty,
and rather indifferently performed, was-.Still much applaudedfry-
many, as they found it analogous to the.dayy whilst others were making
observations that a tragedy should not'have been given at such