160 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
on Board, for the Free Blacks, to see if they have the proper quantity
on board for three months complete, and make their report to me, by nine o'clock
this evening at Mr. Hartshorne's
John Clarkson
To
the different Captains of the
)
Sierra Leone Squadrons )
Having desired all of them to inspect their account of Provisions received
on board their respective vessels, they accordingly waited upon me at o'clock
with their accounts but as Mr. Wallace had explained to me the reason of the
apparent deficiency, I dismissed them, telling them to have their vessels ready
to sail, by daylight next morning-
Messrs Hartshorne, Wallace and myself
were busy till 12 o'clock in checking the various provisions sent on board each
ship, and upon the whole we found rather a day over than under-Of course I repaired
on board satisfied
January 15th - At Day light calm-Made
the signal for every person to repair on board their respective vessels-At 9
a light air sprang up from the W N W-Made the signal immediately for the Fleet
to weigh, at 11 all the Fleet under sail-Made the Felicity's signal to lead
the Fleet out of the Harbour-Ordered Captain Coffin
to stand off
and on till I went on shore took leave of my friends upon the Wharfs and wrote
the following letter to Henry Thornton-
Halifax January 15th 1792
Dear Sir
I am now under sail with a fair wind and fine weather, having on board
1100 Souls, in fifteen ships, all in good spirits, properly equipped & I
hope destined to be happy- I must refer you to my friend Mr. Hartshorne for
every particular, and with affectionate regards to all my friends I remain
dear Sir
most Sincerely & affectionately Yours
John Clarkson
To Henry Thornton Esqre
Returned on board at noon & saluted the Admiral
and the lowering my Main Topgallant sail, as I passed it, which was returned
the waving of hats and handkerchiefs
I cannot express too strongly the obligations I am under to Hartshorne, who
upon every occasion gave me his advice and assistance and it would have been
impossible for me to have brought this to a conclusion, as far as we have already
gone, if it had not been
161 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
good and unwearied application to it. He never considered his own business which
is upon an extensive scale, when compared to the forwarding the views of the
Company, and his house was at all times open to myself, and to any other person
who could aid us in it. I consider myself extremely fortunate in his being appointed
to act with me, and though Halifax is divided into various political parties,
he has the confidence and good will of the whole. I must also notice the great
assistance I received from Mr. Wallace who was appointed the Agent on the part
of the Government: for though we differed sometimes in our ideas of the business,
yet I am sure Halifax could not have produced a man more fit for carrying it
on with dispatch and method than himself-I want words to express my gratitude
to the Town at large, who upon every occasion behaved to me with marked attention
& respect, and I know of no place where there is such universal hospitality
shown to Strangers as at Halifax-They have, & will for ever have, my most
sincere wishes for their prosperity. After I had passed the Town I made sail
to join the Fleet which was about six miles ahead running under an easy sail
January 16th - At 4 P M took my departure from Sambro's Light house
bearing West four leagues, made the signal to Steer S S E for the night, and for
the Fleet to form the order of sailing Made the Eleanor's signal to make more
sail, and get into her station. A little before dark I shortened sail to Shew
the proportion I meant to carry for the night. At 12 at night fresh gales, with
squalls of snow, and a high sea, the Eleanor's light bore S W to S about one
mile distant At daylight shortened sail for the Fleet to close-One of the Fleet
missing-Peter Cockburn an infant died this morning-
At 9 A M made tity's signal to come within hail, and desired her
to look out upon each beam, and a'stern for the missing vessel, at the same time
desired her when she was a'stern to make a signal for the Sternmost of the ships
to make more Sail-At noon the missing vessel joined us-Lat Obs 42-47-N Long-61-18-W-
January 17th - Strong gales with a
rough sea, at 3 PM made the signal for the Steepest vessels to make more sail-Read
the burial service over the body of the late John Cockburn-At midnight all the
vessels in sight & in their stations-A M stormy gales with squalls of snow,
At noon all the Fleet in company-Lat Obs 41-12-N-Long 60-09 W-
January 18th - At 2 P M made the Felicity's
signal to come within hail, desired Captn Wickham to hail all the
vessels to know how they all did, and if they wanted any assistance-At midnight,
squally weather, with heavy showers of hail & rain-The ships in their stations
at 9 A M fumigated between decks, at noon all the Fleet in Company-No observation
Lat pr Acct-39-34 N Long 58-16 W
January 19th - Fresh gales at 1 PM made the signal with a gun, for
the Fleet to alter their course one point to Port-At 8 A.M. the wind
162 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
headed us-At noon made the signal for the Fleet to tack-All the ships in company-Lat
Obs 284 Long 56-34-
January 20th - At 2 P.M. made the signals to
form the order of sailing-At 4 Strong gales. At S S E made the signal for the
Fleet to have to on the starboard Tack-At 2 A.M. two of the ships missing At
8 made the signals for the Fleet to close, and at 10 for the ships to make more
sail.
The Felicity made the signal for two sail in the
S E quarter. At noon the wind N W to N, blowing strong. Close reefed the Topsails,
fumigated between decks-the missing vessels joined the Fleet Lat 39-3- Long
55-37-
January 21st - Strong gales & stormy At daylight
found three of the vessels had parted Company-Made the signal for the Felicity
to come within hail, and desired her to haul in each quarter, and a'stern to
look out for the missing ships-Found myself so extremely ill, that I was obliged
to quit the deck, informed Captain Wickham of it, and begged him to do all in
his power, to keep the Fleet together-Made the signal for the Sierra Leone and
Mary Barnard to shorten sail, and get into their stations-At noon two of the
missing vessels joined the Fleet, and at 4 P.M. all the vessels in the stations
except one which parted company last night- By the advice of the Doctor I shall
not interfere with the management of the Fleet until I get better-The indisposition
I felt at times, previous to my leaving Halifax, and the fatigue and anxiety
I have had since, has quite knocked me up, as I have regularly had fever, with
violent pains in my head, since I quitted Halifax-The remainder of this journal
is taken from the Log Book of the ship, till the 17th February-Lat Obs
38-16 Long 52-18
January 22nd - Heavy gales with rain and hail,
and very heavy claps of thunder & lightening-split the Main Top Sail and
hove to, under the reefed Trysail-At 6 P M last sight of the Fleet-at Midnight
got down the Fore & Main yards-At noon six sail in company. Lat pr
acct 33-57 Long 51-15.
January 23rd - Strong gales and cloudy-five sail
in Company- Several of the ship's company taken ill. Lat Peracct 37-24 Long
50-41
January 24th - Fresh breezes and squally-The
Main Yard remains down, not having people to get it up-five sail in Company
Lat Obs 36- 38-Long 51-13 W- January 25th - Hard gales and squally
weather. Christophr Pratt, one of the Free Blacks died-Lat 35-05
Long 49-19
January 26th - Strong breezes with hail Hailed
the Felicity, and desired her to speak the ships in company & request assistance,
having only the Captain and Mate capable of doing duty. Lat Per Acct 33-35-Long
47-53
163 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
January 27th - More moderate. Made the signal for the Fleet to heave to, boarded
the Felicity; Venus & Eleanor, and got a man from each-Departed this life
John Colman one of the Free Blacks Lat Obs 32-38-Long 46-14
January 28th - Moderate gales and clear weather-Unbent the Main Top sail to
repair, five of the vessels in company Lat Ob' 31-23 Long 44-36- January 29th
- Strong gales with rain in Main Topsail-Close reefed the Fore Topsail-A heavy
sea from N W-At midnight was pooped by a heavy sea Stove in the dead lights,
furled the Fore sail and scudded under the Close reefed Fore topsail. Lat per
Acct 30-52 Long 41-34
January 30th - Fresh breezes & clear weather-set
the Fore top sail & close-reefed the Main Topsail, at noon five sail in
company-Lat Obs 30-23 Long 37-47-
January 31st - Fresh breezes & cloudy five
of the Fleet in company-Lat per acct 30-23-Long 34-42-
February 1st - Hard gales and squally weather-Made the signal for the Fleet
to heave to, in consequence of a heavy beam sea-At midnight more moderate made
the signal for the Fleet to make sail-William Bell, one of the Ship's company
died-Lat 30-50 Long 31-49
February 2nd - Strong gales with a heavy sea-five
sail in company-Lat per acct 30-28 Long 29-03-
February 3rd Light breezes and fair weather-washed
and fumigated between decks-A heavy sea from the N N W-five sail in company
Lat obs 30-20-Long 26-31
February 4th - Light
airs and clear weather-Made the Betsey's signal to make more sail-five sail
in company Lat obs 30-22-Long 25-20 February 5th - Do weather-saw
a sail standing to the Southward-Made a signal for the Betsey to speak. Cleared
the ship Fore & Aft, and fumigated between decks. Lat obs 30-30 Long 23-50
February 6th - Made the signal for the Venus to come within hail, and requested
Captain Evans to send us some men on board, to assist in repairing the sails & rigging,
those received on the 27 January from the Felicity, Venus & Eleanor, were sick.
The Venus could not give us any assistance, but Captain Ray of the Betsey sent five men
on board who were returned in the evening-Lat obs 30-39-Long
23-06
February 7th - Light breezes and
fair weather-Made the Eleanor's signal-signal to speak a vessel to the Westward
At noon she informed 'is the vessel, she spoke was from Amsterdam bound to Surinam,
and was in Long 28-30 west-At noon five sail in company Lat Obs 29-30-Long 23-06
February 8th - Do weather-The Venus
made a signal for a sail in the N W-Made her signal to chase in that quarter,
but sent the widow
164 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
of the late William Bell, on board the Eleanor, her relations being there At
noon calm Lat Obs 29-09-Long 22-19 W-
February Light airs & fine
weather - Made the Venus signal to come within hail, She informed us the ship
she spoke yesterday was from Denmark, bound to America, she was in Long at noon
yesterday, 24-30- W-Lat Obs 28-51-Long 2-48
February 10th - Light airs and clear weather-saw
two sails, one standing to the Westward, and the other to the Northward-Set
the rigging up Fore & Aft-Lat obs-28-26 Long 21-06-
February 11th - Do weather; employed
cleaning the ship Fore & Aft Lat obs 28-02 Long 20-33
February 12th - Light airs and clear
weather-Sent the Surgeon to visit the Eleanor's sick-Several whales in sight
Lat obs: 27-37 Long 19-51-
February l3th - Light airs and
clear-At 8 A.M. made the Island of Ferro
bearing E N E, fifteen
Leagues, At noon five sail in company- Made the signal to tack Lat Obs 27-18-Long
19-15-
February 14t11 - Light
airs-Sent the Surgeon on board the Venus, which had upwards of forty of her
passengers sick, and some of her ship's company Lat obs 26-42-Long 18-24-
February 15th - Do weather-Captain
Coffin
confined to his cabin with a fever, and the whole of the
passengers & crew in a convalescent. state-Lat Obs 26-06 N-Long 17-44-W-
February 16th - Do weather-Made
the Eleanor's signal to chase to the S W At noon five sail in Company-Lat obs
25-52-Long 17-39-W- Feb 17th - Do weather-Saw a strange sail standing to the
Southward-Washed between decks & fumigated with 'Tar Vinegar & Tobacco-
Lat obs 25-03 N Long 17-29-W-
February 18th - Light
airs & clear weather-departed this life Peter Peters, my poor servant, who
from great attention to me during the days that I was delirious is supposed
to have caught the fever of me-his death affects me greatly-I was this day brought
upon deck on a Mattress, as I was not able to walk or to be moved in any other
way-My friend Wickham kindly assisted in doing this, and in otherwise making
me comfortable-This was the first time I had been on deck since the 21st January-
Had my cabin and bed place cleaned out and washed with vinegar as well as fumigated
with Tar & gunpowder balls-From my poor servant's illness, as well as Captain
Coffin's I experienced great neglect in the latter part of my illness, as previous
to the latter being taken ill, all the crew were sick on board except himself
and the Mate, and I should certainly have been killed during the gales of wind,
on the 29th Jany when the vessel was pooped, if
it had not been for that accident which providentially obliged the Captain to
come down into the Cabin to secure the dead lights, which had been stove in,
when he found me rolling from side to side, quite exhausted, covered
165 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
with blood & water and very much bruised, for I had at that time four blisters
upon me-I have but a faint, if any recollection of this dreadful situation,
and indeed, what I have already mentioned, is more from the account of the Mate
of the vessel, than from any recollection of my own, but it was evident to those
on board, that the disorder took a turn after the 29th January, the day on which
I was so mercifully preserved. The Venus sent her boat on board for some clothes
for the passengers-Spoke the Eleanor, she informed me that the vessel she had
chased yesterday, was from Cadiz sixteen days ago, she was in Longitude at noon
yesterday 17- 15 W-Captn Coffin dangerously ill-Lat obs 24-26 N-Long
17-16 W- February 19th - Fresh breezes & squally with a heavy swell from
the N W. Lat obs 23-13 Long 17-12
February 20th - Light airs and clear Spoke a Spanish vessel at anchor in 29
fathoms, who told us Cape Barbas bore S, S W, five leagues. At six p m, saw Cape
Barbas bearing S & by E five leagues. Caught several fish, and bought as many
as served the Crew and passengers, for some salt beef-At 8 AM, made the signal with
a gun for all the Captains and desired they would carefully investigate the situation
of their passengers on board, as to their want of clothing, and make a report to me the
following day of their wants-
Captain Coffin still continues dangerously ill-My illness has made me so nervous
and occasioned such debility, both in body and mind, that I re quested the Captains on
board today to speak their minds freely to me, upon every occasion as to the course we
should steer &c-I find that I cannot remember any one thing told me before, neither
can I remember anything as yet as to the navigation of a vessel-Lat Obs 22-15-Long
16-58
February 21st - Light airs &
clear weather-Caught a quantity of fish-Sounded 24 fathoms Lost sight of Cape
Barbas Lat obs 22-03 Long 17-18
February 22nd - Calm & clear-At
4 A.M. Captain Coffin died-I canont but consider that his death was occasioned
by his attention to me, after losing my servant Peters, as he died of the same
fever as that with which I was affected so long-He was a worthy, good man, and
his loss will be greatly felt by his Owners-As a last mark of attention to his
memory, I endeavoured to read as well as I could, the burial service over him
at 11 o'clock, when he was thrown over board although I was not able to stand
or to hold the book The Surgeon advised me this day to take an airing in the
boat, and to row around the Squadron, I was accordingly lifted into the boat
and lowered with her into the water-Upon my going along side each ship, the
Black passengers had collected themselves upon deck with their Muskets, and
fired three volleys, and afterwards gave three cheers, as they had entirely
given up all hopes of my recovery, which was to them of the greatest consequence
Lat ob
21-58 Long 17-57- February 23rd - Moderate breezes
and clear weather-At 4 P.M.
166 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
the Somerset joined us after a separation since the 22nd January-Made her signal
to come within hail-She informed me her Captain & Mate had been both confined
to their beds for three weeks, but were both getting- better and that her passengers
were upon the whole in tolerable health- Lat ob
20-15-Long 18: 23
W-
February 24th - Pleasant weather
Fumigated and washed between decks-At noon six sail in company Lat obs 18-20-Long
18-53
February 25th - Light airs, people
employed in repairing boats-Washed & fumigated between decks, and distributed
to the different ships the following clothing, in lieu of woollen ones which
were thrown overboard- Made the signal for all Captains to come on board &
Gave them a dinner for the first time since my illness-As the rest of the Fleet
had parted company, I gave to those with me the remainder of clothing purchased
by Government, and kept for the other ships the white shirts and Osnaburgs which
I intended to distribute to them upon my arrival in Africa- Lat Obs 16-28 N
Long 19-20-
February 26th - Moderate
breezes and fair weather-Made the signal for Captain Wickham of the Felicity
to come on board, and gave him some casks of Beef & Pork, with some money
to go to the Cape de Verd Islands to purchase stock for the Colony; desired
him to make every enquiry, relative to the best method of supplying the Colony
with live stock, or provisions of any kind, the best move of receiving intelligence
from Europe or conveying to thither, and every other information likely to promote
the Comfort and happiness of the Colony, requested him also to make all the
haste he could to join me at Sierra Leone-At noon parted company with the Felicity-Lat
Obs 15-10 Long 19-39--Read prayers and attempted to preach to the passengers,
but I was so exhausted that I did not recover myself for some time.
February 27th - Light airs and
clear Washed and fumigated be tween decks Rowed round the different ships and
invited the Captains to dine with me Lat obs 13-54 Long 19-35-
February 28th - Light airs, visited
the different ships, and enquired into the state of each as to cleanliness,
and was obliged to be hoisted in a chair on board the several vessels, found
them all remarkably clean, and the people recovering from their illness-Lat
obs 12-39-Long 19-32-
February 29th - Light breezes and
clear weather-Isaac Gratton one of the passengers died-The Betsey made the signal
to speak me-She informed me her Captain had just died-These deaths coming upon
me so suddenly, affect me greatly, and very much retard my recovery particularly
when I consider that Captain Ray a fortnight since, would not have changed situations
with me-Made the signal for the Captains to come & dine with me-At noon
five sail in Company. Lat obs 11-53 Long 19-29-
March 1st - Light breezes &
clear weather Washed and fumigated the
167 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
'tween decks Rowed round the vessels and went alongside all of them- Dined with
Captain Redman on board the Eleanor, and an old woman of 104 years of age who
had requested me to take her, that she might lay her bones in her native country,
begged to be brought on deck to shake hands and congratulate me upon my recovery-Lat
Obs 10-15 Long 19- 13W
March 2nd - Do weather-bent the
cables several Whales in sight-Saw an immense number of fish-Made the signal
for the Captains to dine with me, and as it was calm, I gave leave to the passengers
to visit each other on board the different ships-At noon all the vessels in
company Lat Obs 09-28-Long 18-22
March 3rd - Light breezes
and clear weather Got the people's chests upon deck that they might inspect
them and arrange them ready to be put on shore-Washed and fumigated the b'tween
decks-the passengers and crew recovering fast Three of the sailors returned
to their duty this day, and many of the Free Blacks quite recovered-Captains
Redman and Evans dined with me today-Lat 8-55 Long 17-1-
March 4th - Fine moderate
weather-Saw a sail in the N E quarter- hoisted our Colours, and fired a gun-At
5 P.M. fired a shot to bring her to-At 6 spoke her, She was the Mary of Bristol-Thos
Grimes Master from Lisbon-bound to Annamabo
for Slaves. At 11
A.M. made the signal for Divine Service, and read prayers and preached to the
passengers;
168 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
took this opportunity of addressing them as well as my strength would admit
as to their future behaviour, and expressed to them my approbation of their
conduct since they left America-At noon all the Ships in company. Lat obs 8-44
L 15-42
March 5th - went on
board the different ships and addressed their passengers in the same way that
I had done those on board the Lucretia- All seemed in high spirits, and promised
obedience and attention to all orders given them upon their landing-I was much
pleased with the happy and contented countenance of all of them-Their expressions
of respect and gratitude upon this occasion were most gratifying and affected
me much Most ardently do I hope that the change they are about to make will
ultimately turn out to the advantage of them and posterity-At two P.M. returned
on board, and made the Eleanor's signal to make sail and steer E N E to sound
At 8 P.M the Eleanor returned, but could not get any soundings-Hailed her and
desired her to make sail ahead, and carry a light, at such a distance at to
discern signals, and to sound every hour- At 2 P.M. she made the signal for
sounding and joined us Heaved the lead, and found we had 53 Fathoms water-red
and white sand-At 6 A.M. sounded 30 Fathoms, and at noon sounded 21 Fathoms-red
and white sand with grey specks Lat obs 8-53-Long-14-10-
March 6th - Light breezes
and clear Made the Eleanor's signal to go ahead and make the land, desired her
to carry a light and to sound every half hour, and when she came into 8 Fathom
water to heave to, and make a signal-As we were now so near the land, and as
we were all strangers to the coast, I could not be prevailed upon to quit the
deck- At 2 A M the Eleanor made the signal for getting into 8 Fathom water-
Fired a gun and made the signal for the vessels to heave to-Sounded 7 Fathom
water, small gravel Went to bed till daylight, At 6 A M made the signal for
the ships to make sail, and for the Eleanor to go ahead and make the land-At
8 as I was walking the deck, I was the first to see Cape Sierra Leone bearing
S E to E distant about five leagues, and soon after two of the Squadron made
the signal for seeing the land-The passengers on board the different ships gave
three cheers and fired the vollies-It is not in my power to describe my sensations
at this moment, for I knew not what the next hours might produce The fatigue
of being up the greater part of the night added to the great anxiety of mind,
had quite exhausted me and filled me with gloomy ideas-I could not help fancying
the report I had heard at the Governor's table at Halifax, respecting the hostile
disposition of the Natives at Sierra Leone might have some foundation in truth,
At other times I thought, as I had not heard from England since I left it it
was possible some of my letters might have miscarried, and the Directors might
not have provided for our reception, but particularly when I reflected upon
the small quantity of provisions on board, the Transport (not having more than
sufficient with most rigid economy for a month) with no probability of recruiting
them should it be necessary, our ignorance of the Coast and its inhabitants,
and my total inability to any exertion should it be required, I could not help
giving way to
169 CLARKSON'S MISSION TO AMERICA 1791-1792
desponding reflections, which had I been in health would probably never have
occurred-At ten sent the Mate to the Mast head to look if he could see any ships
lying under the land, and made an attempt to get up to the Fore yard myself,
but could not succeed-At noon Saw Leopards Island bearing E by N four or five
leagues. Cape Sierra Leone S.E. three leagues, and soon after, to my inexpressible
joy, one of the headmost Transports made the signal for ships at anchor up the
river, which I soon perceived from the deck, and satisfied myself from the size
of one of them that the succours from England had arrived-This circumstance,
gave to my mind a relief which I cannot express-I felt quite renovated, and
began to indulge the hope of a speedy termination to my anxieties and fatigue-Lat
obs 8-36 N
March 7th - At 1 A.M. fired
a gun and hoisted a Dutch Jack, reversed at the Fore top Gallant Mast head,
as my private signal to the Governor, as well as for a Pilot-At 2 sounded 3
Fathoms water-At half past 2 saw seven or eight vessels at anchor up the River,
and soon after perceived two boats coming out, in one of which I thought I saw
the Governor, and ordered a salute of thirteen guns to be fired, upon his coming
on board-At 4 P.M. the vessel struck upon the middle ground-tacked immediately
and made the signal for the Fleet to do the same observed several of the vessels
strike the ground-At ½ past 4 the boats came along side, one was the
Harpy's belonging to the Sierra Leone Company, and the other the Parr's belonging
to the Transports-In the former came several gentlemen in the Sierra Leone Company's
Service, who informed me on coming on board that Mr. Dairymple
the
intended Governor had resigned, and that the Directors had appointed me Superintendent
of the Colony, with a Council of seven members, all filling important situations,
and all having an equal vote in the Government, except that the Superintendent
had the casting vote in Council-My astonishment was beyond measure great at
this information, and particularly as I had positively declared before I left
England, that nothing should induce me to continue in Africa, or to undertake
anything more than collecting the people in America and afterwards seeing them
properly conducted to Sierra Leone- As the Guns were ready for saluting, I paid
the Council the compliment of saluting them with thirteen guns, but soon perceived
from the conversation of every gentleman, that nothing but quarrels had taken
place during the voyage, on board the Harpy and Amy, and that in short, every
one seemed to speak of each other with a degree of asperity highly reprehensible;
but the delight I felt in having safely arrived in Africa, so entirely engaged
my mind, that it prevented the least reflection upon my new appointment, although
I could not but feel disappointed at the idea of not being likely to enjoy the
quiet & repose I so much required
In working the Lucretia into Harbour
the Catherine ran on board us, and carried away our Bowsprit, I immediately
made the signal to anchor, and after seeing the vessel safe and being much exhausted
from working the ship, and being up the preceding night the Gentlemen Councilor's
persuaded me to attend them into the Harbour-At 11 at night I
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