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go out, made sail and shaped a course for Benie Venti
In the evening it was very dark and raining fast.

January 4th Still raining - At 10 she nearly lay her course - at 11
saw the land on our Starboard bow - A strong tide setting to the
Sward, passed some large fishing boats - At 9.30 shortned
sail and came to with the kedge in 17 fthms- furled sails -
tried our lines, but could not catch any on account of
tide -

January 5th At 5 weighed, made sail and stood in for the
land, with a NE wind at 11 came to off [Stapamas?] river furled sails -
Commdr and two Officers went ashore : finished my annual accts -
At 4 Boat returned bringing off some geese &c, Cholera very
bad ashore : weighed and made sail to the Sward a very dull
Saturday evening, turned in early.

Sunday January 6th. At Sea. A fine morning with a
fair wind running to the Sward. 9.30 Went to Divisions, inspected
Ship and performed Divine Service during which time
we caught a fine dolphin : at 2 saw the Island of St Ann, breeze
freshened, shaped a course for Amacasu - 3 Commdr dined
with us. At 6 came to in 10 fthms, distant from the shore about
half a mile furled sails; found here a small Brazalian man
of war brigantine : in the evening one of the Officers waited on
our Commander.

January 7th At daylight Commdr went snipe shooting, and
some of the Officers went away for Stock - Employed scraping
masts and booms before going in to Rio now distant only about
90 miles : Returned the Brazilians visit. - At noon I went
ashore for a walk - returning at 1 and at half past we weighed
and stood out to Sea : at 3 passing weathered the Poppaguys, kept
away before a strong breeze for Rio : at 7 passed a small trading
schooner - At 9 saw the light on Raza Island and at 11 came