residing at Batavia. He had likewise an "Assistant," Benjamin D. Jones, who was to receive for assistance sixty days after return of vessel $250, and a privilege of one ton for the voyage around the world, and "no other compensation." She carried $17,131.63 in merchandise and $50,000 in specie, and was to try for a cargo of coffee. The government controlled all the products of Java and the Dutch East Indies; and late regulations made every vessel take a certain proportion of pepper,- - high at Batavia.

Avoid it if possible, as we prefer coffee though the price be high, and hope for to of a cargo. For deficiency in funds draw on us at 6 months sight or more, $50,000, having had extensive concerns at Batavia. We expect the prices hitherto prevailing for coffee and sugar, viz, $18 and $5 to $6 per picol. If prices advance and these are not to be had ascertain if a cargo of pepper can be obtained at 6 cents per lb. at native ports on the coast of Sumatra, taking other articles like coffee, tin, etc. The funds are not adequate, or we would mention Calcutta and Canton for alternatives. As appears now, a pepper voyage is the only alternative, but if circumstances oblige you to a different opinion, we confide the destination of the ship to you. If as we do not expect, you go to a Dutch, French, or Spanish port, make no trade whatever at Batavia. Let nothing be sold or bought, as it is not known how the English Letters of Admiralty will consider such a trade between their enemies at ports in the East Indies. Avoid all offence to either of the European Belligerent Powers. In any case, return here direct, stopping for distress only; if from Batavia, we should expect you in about 9 months. As you have made several voyages there and know the customs, we do not particularize. By the last news from England, peace is not probable. Several articles for presents are sent - bad custom but you must comply and apply in the most judicious manner. If a pepper voyage be undertaken, you may find an expert in the trade and in the Malay language, to go for a small compensation. If incapacitated yourself Uriel Rea mate with B. D. Jones assistant will take charge. Your compensation for every part of the duty will be $50 per month wages and a privilege of 6 tons, estimated at 2240 lbs sugar, and 2000 lbs for coffee, with other articles as customary. Guard the quantities taken on privilege, and take no freight for anyone.

The Jay carried twenty-nine persons beside the assistant. Twenty-one were born in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, two in New York, two in Pennsylvania, two in Holland, one

(yellow) in Mexico, one (the cook) in Africa. All were subjects of the United States, excepting one from Africa and one from Holland. Wages were similar to those recorded in previous voyages. There was a carpenter, but no boatswain

nor armorer.

Her outward cargo included crockery, $1748.77, dry-goods (chiefly "Brittagnes ") $9295.37, gin $5307.12, flour $305, and sundries (including three cows $105) $624.63, making in total $17,280.89. It may be remarked that the appetites for "bread and sack" were proportioned much like those ascribed to Falstaff, some four centuries earlier.

Captain Fry arrived out on February 25, and advised on March 4 that he had obtained permission to sell cargo, free of obligation to purchase. He could get a cargo soon if allowed to go to" an out port," but his instructions forbade. On March 14 the market was glutted with all kinds of goods, and dollars would have the preference for about two years. There were in port thirteen American vessels mostly waiting for cargo. On May 18 he was offered over $50,000, at six months' sight on twenty-five per cent advance, which he would probably accept. On July 19, after much trouble, he had obtained a proper proportion of sugar and coffee for loading his vessel in due ballast. He had been prohibited loading at "an out port," and sickness on board had increased expense. Scarcely an officer or man had been free from illness. He advised insurance on cargo for $125,000 to $130,000.

Gustavus Taylor's sales of the outward cargo amounted to $4211.25, chiefly for gin and crockery, the dry-goods being sent back. The return cargo shipped on August 13, 1807, was "Britagnes and Estopillas," $7988.43; coffee, 9299 bags at $18 and $20 per picul, $117,458, and 65 bags, $779; pepper, 827 bags 429 picul at 114, $4933.50; total, $131,158.93.

On August 17, 1807, the ship struck a rock and was stranded on Dampier or "Pidgeon's Island" Pidgeon's Island" near Batavia. Captain Gustavus Taylor, advising on September 6, said the disaster was owing to a strong current and a high tide that almost completely covered the land" and left hardly anything above water but shrubs six feet high. Captain Taylor virtually took charge, carried the wrecked property into Batavia by lighters, and obtained therefor $4906.20.

A most interesting voyage was made by the ship Arthur,

Solomon Townsend, master, sailing September 26, 1807, and reaching home June 3, 1809. Brown and Ives's instructions to the master and George W. Page, supercargo, are given, for the actual result varied exceedingly from the plan projected. The captain was directed to proceed without delay to Montevideo, then with proceeds of all or a part of the cargo to go to Canton as speedily as possible.

It is hoped you may arrive at Canton in April next. Mr. Geo. W. Page embarks with you; to him we have consigned the cargo; we hereby request you to conform to his wishes and to consider him in our stead.

We expect you will go in ballast from Montevideo; you must have her in good time, as well as in good order. Probably you will encounter the contrary monsoon in going, and in returning from Canton. The ship being in fine order and a superior sailer, the officers well appointed; we shall have little apprehension. The route in both directions, we submit to your judgment, but the Arthur's last voyage having been by the Eastern Straits, we rather incline to recommend that. Hope you may return in 12 or 13 months.

Your terms are $45 per month

with privilege of six tons under deck. In case of disaster (which God forbid) Wilber Kelly will succeed and follow these orders. Recommend to the protection of Divine Providence.

To Mr. Page, the supercargo, were given bills of lading for merchandise and specie. At Montevideo he was to take proceeds in money, unless articles were found adapted to the Canton market. The brig Eliza had taken to Montevideo two protested bills drawn at Sydney, New Holland. If the brig had abandoned the voyage there, Page was to get the bills and go by Sydney to collect them. At Montevideo he might draw not exceeding £4500 at sight four months, or longer, payable in America or London. If the cargo should not be in demand at Montevideo, the vessel was to go to Cape of Good Hope, Isle of France, or New Holland. If the ship Projector of New York should be met, having $20,000 specie belonging to Brown and Ives, Page was to take the money to Canton, to be applied to account. Arrival at Canton was expected in March or April, when Page was to consign to Consequa or Houqua, Hong merchants. If amounts due them had not been paid, Page was to provide them out of the Arthur's cargo. If reasonable freight could be had, it should be preferred to purchase, Brown and Ives's funds being invested

wholly in nankins to be stowed in the ship. If obliged to buy, he was to take old teas or wait for new in his judgment, according to time of arrival and other circumstances.

Memorandum of cargo for return was given, though freight was preferred, which must be American or other neutral property. The previous year, freight had been at $70 a ton, which was far better than buying teas. He was to recollect that he was restricted from any port controlled by France or other enemies of England, by an order of the British Council. There was no expectation of calling at such ports, but this was for his "government." Certificates of landing must be attended to and blanks filled. Page's compensation was arranged in a special agreement. William Carter went as assistant and was to succeed him, if disabled. He was to remind Captain Townsend, "if necessary, that strict economy is indispensable." If a cargo should be purchased in return, it must not exceed $70,000. A small cargo was taken, liquors, provisions, and 8500 pieces of nankin.

The Arthur arrived at Rio Janeiro after a poor passage on December 13, the first American vessel to touch at that port. On November 27 she had spoken a brig and learned that the Spanish had retaken Montevideo and excluded American vessels. Two American ships were not allowed to sell slaves. The British troops had been transferred mostly to the Cape. Page tried in vain to sell his nankins to merchants for smuggling into Rio, owing to the extreme vigilance of a new viceroy.

At Cape Town on January 30, 1808, he wrote more freely, for the first report went by England. The Spaniards at river La Plata suspected Americans, because of aid given England during the war. Moreover the English injured "their coasting trade by deceptions" on both coasts of South America. "After maturely weighing all," it was decided to sail for the Cape, "risking sale" of nankins and Catalonia wine. It was hoped the transfer of three thousand troops from the Montevideo garrison would afford a good market for provisions.

We now get an inkling of British colonial "graft" in the good old times. Lord Caledon permitted the landing of provisions and linseed oil, refusing spirits by reason of "the influence of some large dealers." It was hoped that a special permit would be given for the sale of three hundred cases of

gin at $7 Spanish, free of duty. Nankins could not be sold. On February 5 the governor would not allow transshipment of gin" to the astonishment of all." He enclosed a list of lumber for ships going east, as it always sold well at the Cape.

After a pleasant passage Mr. Page arrived, on March 5, at the Isle of France, or Mauritius, and reported on the 30th. A fine prospective market was chilled by the sudden arrival of vessels from Baltimore and New York, so that an auction would not move goods. Flour dropped from $20 to $15. Gin sold at $4.75, and nankins at fifty-nine cents. All sales were on a credit of three to six months, discount being three-quarters of one per cent, which had been allowed on above prices. They were still subject to duties and commissions. On April 14 he got rid of his butter at thirty-seven and a half cents, and the last of the wandering nankins at forty-nine cents (about the low medium price in China). The export of dol lars being prohibited, he was forced to buy for Canton two hundred bales cotton, about seventeen tons of ebony, and some sandalwood.

He enclosed a long list of articles for the Isle of France, not recommending the dry-goods, though they sold at times "immensely high." Necessary articles were better in all the colonies than "those of luxury." On April 23 the market was unchanged, with many English vessels, captured by the French, bringing in valuable cargoes. At the moment there was good prospect for an assorted cargo. There was no chance for neutrals to buy goods, as the local capitalists, having no other business, would compete at small profits. Captain Townsend reported a heavy outlay for repairs on the ship at the Cape.

On April 30 Mr. Page hoped to be off, "as embargoes more frequently take place here than in any other part of the world." Some of the sandalwood was divided among the ventures on board. It cost on board $11 a thousand French pounds. It answered for ballast, and he hoped Brown and Ives's share would pay three hundred per cent profit. The last vessel brought news of the intended embargo. "I hope all the good expected from it may take place, but I am fearful of war."

The fluctuations of the market at Isle of France were almost incredible. Mr. Page gave the very questionable