CHAPTER III.

Voyage from China to the Northwest Coast of America.-Letters from Canton.-Difficulties of the Undertaking.—Hardships of the Voyage.-Mutiny of the Men.-Adventures on the Coast.Safe Return to Canton.

ALTHOUGH the authorities at the Cape could discover no evidence that he was actually a bearer of despatches from the Directory, the measures they adopted served effectually to prevent their delivery.

It was more than four months before an opportunity offered to leave the Cape, and so long a time elapsed before he visited the Isle of France that the final delivery of the despatches to the authorities there served only to prove that he had been faithful to his trust. The following is his last letter before leaving the Cape:

"CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, August 1, 1798.

"Were you to judge from the date of my letter, you would undoubtedly conclude I was thus far on my return from India, and with reason, for no one would suppose it possible to remain in this place four months without meeting an opportunity for Bengal. This, however, has really been my case, whether from a decline of the American commerce, or a dislike of the masters of ships to subject themselves to the scrutiny practised by the officers of the navy, or both, I know not; but, in consequence of it, and a fear that it may be yet a long time before I meet such an opportunity as I wish, I have taken up with the only one that has offered, on board the brig Betsey of Baltimore, and we sail to-morrow morning for Batavia. I could have wished we were bound to a more pleasant

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climate; but my patience was quite exhausted, and I preferred risking my health to waiting any longer here. I do not intend coming home before the spring or summer of 1799. Please advise my friend, Mr. James Prince, of my destination."

In his next letter from Batavia we have the first intimation of his contemplation of a voyage to the northwest coast of America, and in the succeeding one, from Canton, the announcement of his decision to attempt it. As this was one of his most adventurous voyages, involving certain exposure to very great hardship, with constant risk of destruction; and as the danger was incalculably increased by the circumstances attendant upon it, these letters possess especial interest, showing as they do his recognition of the difficulties he had to encounter, by the efforts he made to find other means of profitable investment, and his wish to save his friends from anxiety, by the pains he takes to assure them of his excellent equipment for the voyage.

The appreciation of its boldness in the minds of competent judges is afforded by the incidental testimony of an unprejudiced witness.

It happened that, on his arrival at Canton, after the successful accomplishment of the voyage, a Russian exploring expedition, under the command of Admiral Kruzenstern, was lying in port.

In his subsequently published history of the expedition the admiral mentions the fact of my father's arrival at Canton while he was there, and speaks of the voyage as a very extraordinary one.

He makes the mistake, however, of ascribing its achievement to an Englishman, which probably arose

from the fact that the vessel had previously been under English colors, and again assumed them on my father's return, when she was sold to an Englishman. The history of the Russian expedition was reviewed in the North American, of which Jared Sparks was then editor; and, in order to correct this mistake, he, being a warm personal friend of my father, procured from him a somewhat detailed account of the voyage, which may be found in No. 57 of the North American Review (October, 1827). It is introduced with the prefatory remark that

"As this voyage was one of an extraordinary character, and evinced a degree of enterprise, perseverance, and decision rarely to be met with, and worthy of imitation, we are happy to have an opportunity to lay a short sketch of it before our readers."

After giving my father's account of its leading incidents, the notice concludes with the following com

ment:

"Thus was accomplished, in about eight months, one of the most arduous, successful, and, all things considered, hazardous voyages of which any account has been given."

At this date I trust that no apology is necessary for giving the following letters in full:

"BATAVIA, September 11, 1798.

"Before my departure from the Cape I left a few lines with Mr. Hubner, to inform you of my detention. It would give me great pleasure if I could now inform you of my speedy return from hence.

"Had I been fortunate enough to meet with a vessel that could take fifty or sixty tons freight to America or Europe, I should have made a very handsome voyage. Coffee can be purchased here at 8 cents per lb., American weight, deliverable on board; sugar at

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$6.50 per cwt.; either of which articles would probably yield a profit of two hundred per cent. clear of all charges. But this prospect I am obliged to leave, or wait in this unhealthy climate at a great expense, without being certain of an opportunity. Of the two evils I have made choice of the former as the smallest, and shall sail to-morrow in the ship Swift, of New York, Captain White, for China. From thence I shall endeavor to freight for the Mauritius, if possible; if not, direct for America; and if neither of these can be done, I shall then probably purchase a small vessel and go to the northwest coast for furs; but this last I shall not do unless the prospect is very great, and there is no possibility of getting to America or Europe.

"The remittance I made you from Europe will not be near adequate to your wants, and were I not acquainted with the resources you have, I should be very uneasy on your account. I can easily conceive of its being disagreeable to you to take up money on my account, but, while you are doing it, you ought to recollect the pleasure I derive from discharging those debts. Were it not for this, money would hardly be worth taking care of. I hope to be with you in May next."

"CANTON, November 24, 1798.

"As there will be a direct opportunity to write you in about a month by a Salem and a Boston vessel, I intended to let this vessel go without writing, but recollecting, if I did, you would not expect my being here next year, and would, in consequence, miss the opportunity of sending me letters by the ships that will be leaving America about the time you will receive this, I hastened to remind you of it, and that I shall look out for letters by New York, Boston, or Salem vessels. I am now about two years absent from my friends, and have not received a line from any of them. Remind them of this, and I know they won't fail to write me.

"I endeavored to freight my property home to America, more with a desire of being again employed by Mr. E. H. Derby, Jr., than profit, or any other consideration; but my efforts were ineffectual without making too great sacrifices, and I had no other alternative than doing as I have done, which is to fit out an expedition to the northwest coast of America for furs.

"I am two-thirds concerned in a fine cutter, and the same propor

tion of cargo. We shall be well manned and armed, and, I doubt not, meet with success. The prospect is considered greater at present than it has been for several years past. If Bill or George have become sailors, and are inclined to enter the fur trade, I doubt not of being able to do something for one of them; though it would not be prudent to come dependent on meeting me here, because, if I fail of success the first season, I shall winter on the coast. I shall write you very particularly by the Boston and Salem vessels."

"CANTON, December 15, 1798.

"I have written you two letters from this place, both of which will advise you that I am bound to the northwest coast of America. "The only part I wish to repeat is concerning a provision for yourself. Do anything with me or my property rather than want. I know you have many warm friends in Salem, and I know how unpleasant it is to ask assistance of them; but, as it is only for the moment, and it is quite out of my power to make you a remittance, I do not see that you can do otherwise.

"I want exceedingly to see you and my valued friends in Salem, but my pride (for it is nothing else) will long deny me that happiness."

"CANTON, January 6, 1799.

"This is the last letter I shall write you this season, as I shall sail to-morrow for the northwest coast of America. We are thirty days earlier than I at first intended, in consequence of hearing of several vessels from America on the same voyage; and have so enlarged our stock as to make it amount to $18,600. Should we not be the first vessel on the coast, I am persuaded we shall do as well as those that

are.

We have every possible advantage. A vessel well calculated for inland navigation, the best articles of trade that can be carried, a linguist who speaks the Indian language as well as his own, and officers experienced in the business. Should we fail of success, with all these advantages, it will be very extraordinary ill-fortune, and such as I don't choose to expect.

"I wrote you a long letter by the Elizabeth, and desired you to use my credit for any money you may want; and even to sell out a part or the whole of my present speculation rather than be distressed.