53

49

October 23rd At 7 saw the Packet coming from Rio, all
confusion, and writing letters, a large addition to my
list in consequence of giving leave - Sent a boat to the
Steamer, but could not get our bag in consequence of the Steamer
being in Quarantine : at 1 sent the Avon's Officer on board :
saw the mails coming in, and stop at the Light house to be
fumigated: sent another boat but still could not get the letters.
At 2 a boat came alongside with our bag, got letters from
LQ M-r and Mr Brown - One hour left to read and
answer them. Wrote a hurried note to dear Anq - Much
annoyed to find the Packet did not sail till seven, four
hours after the appointed time. Heard that the Flag Ship and
Express were coming here, and some probability of our being
ordered home-

October 24th Prepared for going to sea - Exercised at gun
drill - In the forenoon a Brig got on shore on the bar, but
as the tide was flowing she soon was all right - Commdr came
on board and ordered the fires to be lighted at 12.30-
Noon Pilot came on board, when we commenced unmooring
ship - At 2 steam up, weighed and steamed out of harbor
passed the Brazilian Commodore going in : Pilot left us - At
4 let the fires go out and made sail - After Quarters exercised
shifting sails-

October 25th On this day two years we were put
in Commission - Standing in towards the land under
easy sail, exercised at gun drill. Saw two sail in the
afternoon - At 5 sighted the ships in the outer roads of
Pernambuco, tacked and stood out to sea again - Exercised
shifting jib &c-

October 26th At 2 very nearly ran over two catarmarans
6 tacked and stood in toward the land - 9 bore