p.

unable to get at any very satisfactory results
elsewhere, and have thought that you would
be more likely to know all about the matter
than any other man among us.

I remain, Sir,
Very respectfully yours,
William A. Wheeler

R. H. Dana, Jr., Esq.,
Boston.

Dear Sir
I can only give for
the tradition among seamen, which
is that a Dutch captain, bound
home from the E. Indies Having long
continued head winds & heavy weather
off Cape of Good Hope, refused to put
back as he was advised, & swore a
very profane oath that he would beat
round the Cape if he had to beat there