shortly afterwards several officers came on board from his excellency to
compliment me on my arrival. As soon as the ship was moored I went on
shore and paid my respects to him.

Monday 7.

On Monday morning I began to forward the ship's business with the utmost
dispatch, and gave the necessary directions to Messrs. Collogan and sons,
the contractors, for the supplies I wanted. I also got leave of the
governor for Mr. Nelson to range the hills and examine the country in
search of plants and natural curiosities.

As there was a great surf on the shore I bargained for everything I
wanted to be brought off by the shore boats, and agreed to give five
shillings per ton for water. Very good wine was bought at ten pounds per
pipe, the contract price; but the superior quality was fifteen pounds;
and some of this was not much inferior to the best London Madeira. I
found this was an unfavourable season for other refreshments: Indian
corn, potatoes, pumpkins, and onions, were all very scarce and double the
price of what they are in summer. Beef also was difficult to be procured
and exceedingly poor; the price nearly sixpence farthing per pound. The
corn was three current dollars per fanega, which is full five shillings
per bushel; and biscuit at twenty-five shillings for the hundred pounds.
Poultry was so scarce that a good fowl cost three shillings. This is
therefore not a place for ships to expect refreshments at a reasonable
price at this time of the year, wine excepted; but from March to November
supplies are plentiful, particularly fruit, of which at this time we
could procure none except a few dried figs and some bad oranges.

NAUTICAL REMARKS.