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134 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792


January 8th - This morning called upon the President, the Bishop, the Attorney General, and all my very numerous friends to take leave, and spent the remainder of the day with Mr. Hartshorne-Slept on board- It is very gratifying & pleasing to me, when I reflect upon the very great kindness and attention, shown me by all descriptions of men-We were all prayed for at Church this day, and a Sermon was to have been preached under my care, as a pattern for others to imitate, having had not less than 1200 people in the town and up wards of 5 weeks in the depth of winter not so much as the least disorder from any one of them, but it could not be got ready in time- 

  January 9th - At 7 this morning, hauled off from the wharf, at noon received on board all our powder, at one Seated our guns, and at two fired a gun & made the signal for all the Captains, delivered to each of them a copy of the rules to be observed on board the different vessels during the voyage, with various other papers, dined with Mr. Hartshorne, and in the evening Mr. Hartshorne & myself signed the Certificates for the Grants of Land, ready to be delivered to each individual according to the extent of each family, and Mr. Wallace brought me the receipts for the Provisions received on board the different ships- 

The following is a copy of the rules delivered to the Captains of the different vessels bound to Sierra Leone, under my Command.

  It is expected, that every attention is paid by the Masters of the different vessels, in keeping their ships clean, and wholesome, by causing them to he swept between decks every morning, noon, and night after meals-In the morning, after breakfast, the boards which form the Bed places of the Free Blacks must be unstripped & cleaned underneath weather permitting-the decks and sides of the ships to be washed down every morning, and when we get into warm weather, so that the lower decks can be washed with safety, it must be done three times a week, & as soon in the morning as possible, to give it time to be thoroughly dry before night on those days the beams must be washed with vinegar, taking care that a hot iron is put into a bucket of vinegar previous to swabbing the beams, so that the steam may get into every little crevice. When vinegar is not used a loggerhead or any hot iron, must be put into a bucket of Tar, which will fumigate the ships occasionally- 

  It would be advisable to fumigate more particularly in moist weather, and whether the decks are washed or not, they must be fumigated three times a week- 

The Masters of the different vessels must not trust to the Black people, in fumigating or any thing else which requires experience, but must see it properly done themselves, specifying in the LogBook, the days the lower deck was washed & fumigated-The beds must be got upon deck every fine day, and care must be taken, that they are stowed in a place so that the air will get to them, and the spray of the sea not wet them The greatest attention must he paid to the steering of the vessel

 

135 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792


that through neglect, wilfulness or any other cause, the Convoy may not part Company, as the strictest scrutiny will he made upon our arrival at Sierra Leone, should that happen, and the Captains will be required to declare upon oath the cause which occasioned their separation-To prevent it as much as possible the different vessels, must set my light at the end of every watch, and specify the bearings in the Log Book- 

  Two days in the week will he allowed for washing, and the Free Blacks or sailors will not be permitted to wet the decks upon any other days, for that purpose-The provisions must be issued out daily and given to the Cook, to he distributed, after they are dressed, (and not before) to the different vessels- 

  Whenever a cask of Beef, Pork, or any other Cask is opened, the quantity it contains must be told to the Black people who are appointed to Govern the rest, and if it should run short, the deficiency must be put into the Log Book, with the people's names, who were witnesses to the same-The Masters must every day visit the Coppers and see that they are properly clean- 

When we approach the coast of Africa every caution must be paid to the sudden guests of wind which prevail there, by having the Top-sail Sheet, haulyards, and everything clear for running at a moment's warning-The Chest belonging to the Free Blacks, to be got upon deck every fortnight, it they should have an inclination to open them, and struck down at night- 

  I should wish the people to breakfast at 8 o'clock, dine at noon, and sup at 4 till the days lengthen, and at 5 afterwards, or as near to those hours as possible, because if there is not particular regularity at meals, the decks will be constantly dirty- 

  A weekly account in the following manner must be kept by every Captain, and signed by him at the end of every week, so that I may know the state of every vessel, whenever I think proper to make the signal for it See Page 335 &c I hope the Captains and Officers will set a good example to the Seamen in their behaviour to the Free Blacks, they must consider them as passengers who have paid the price demanded by the Owners for their accommodation, and must be treated as such upon every occasion, and from what little I have seen, of the different Commanders who are going with me to Africa, I have not a doubt, but we shall be happy and peaceable together, as it will be as great a satisfaction for one to promote their interest, as those more immediately under my protection

Given under my hand

on board the Lucretia 

Halifax Harbour

John Clarkson

January 7th 1792

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