cams_HDudley_b13_F005_001_027

27

Nothing of consequence occurs to break serious monotony of
this long voyage which seems to be spun out to an [illegible]
length, We have now and then some little amusement
by our, dramatic club, and a part of the passengers
begile the time by military exercises, under Capt,
Crowningshield, of the Massachusett volunteers, During the
war with Mexico, The other day the second, mate
quarreled with one of the sailors and because, the sailor answered
him when he abused him a blow that would, nearly felled
an ox, it hit him over the eye, but fortunately, it did
not break the scull, but it caused the blood to flow most
copiously, and laid poor jack up for some time
I would not be a sailor and be placed at the mercey of
such ruffians, for half the wealth, ever transported in ships
across the ocean.

Tuesday June 26th

Lat 24 degrees 07' The weather today is calm and cool much
cooler than I expected to find it here, as we are now
directly under the sun, indeed we have experienced no
very hot weather on this side of the continent
But we have had for a few days considerable fogg,
yesterday the captain fellout with one of the betweens
deck passengers, Mr. Lord of Lacy on some trifling pretence, he raved and
swore terribly. but he had waked up the wrong man one
that he could not frighten, and in the impotence of
his wrath the tears sold down his brandy coulered face
he raved and swore, strode about the quarterdeck and swung
his arms about like a jumping jack such as children
amuse themselves wtih by pulling a string placed between the
legs, and with the same effect, as he amused us all very
much, and made an ass of himself.

Monday July 2nd 1849

Lat 26 degrees 25' [Lon?[ about 120 degrees, for the last six days we have
made, but about 020 of Lat and very little if any,
the Wind, Blowing constantly from the North, and North, west
and so cool is it that, to be comfortable one is obliged to
wear thick clothing, with coats well buttoned up
One week ago we, entertained strong hopes of participating
in the first celebration of the fourth of July in
San Francisco, but we now within 2 days of the glorious
fourth find ourselves some far 800 miles from our
anticipated haven. So good by to that hope