Tuesday, June 8th.—Each day decreases our distance, and we were, at meridian, but 1600 miles from our port. The 20th is put down as the time of our arrival now. Have been busy in preparing things for debarkation. A barque came near running into us the night before last. To-day saw two sail, a bark and brig. Sea-weed is floating by; like ourselves, returning to the Gulf from strange seas.
Thursday, June 10th.—Lat. 24° 21' north. Made 218 miles the last twenty-four hours: about 180 the day previous, which leaves only 1200 miles to run, and going nine knots. Trade still strong.
Friday, June 11th.—Passed an English barque bound to the eastward. She showed her longitude on a black board. Did not hail. Showed our longitude, still keeping on. She was a degree out of her reckoning.
At meridian had made 225 miles, and were in lat. 26° 47'; long. 63° 15' west. Ten days more ought to bring us in easily.
Sunday, June 13th.—Lost the trades yesterday, in lat. 28° 44', long. 65° 42'; and from nine and ten knots, have come down to three and four. Made only 176 miles yesterday. To-day nearly calm; made but 80 miles since meridian yesterday. Most beautiful weather; could not be more pleasant, only have no wind. Are now in the "horse latitudes," but cannot complain; the trade has pushed us along bravely, and served us well. Only 720 miles from our port at meridian.
June 14th.—On coming on deck this morning, found the wind had come out nearly dead ahead, and the ship barely heading her course under a topsail breeze, with her yards braced sharp.
It is a pretty sight, or rather Would be a pleasant thing, as the Epicurean Lucretius expresses it, "to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed at sea." At least I imagined so this morning, with our craft "upon a wind," whilst standing in the weather gangway, and watching her plunge and curvet, held up to her course by the helm, as a steed by a curb, obeying its rider; but I did not think the motion as agreeable as that derived from equestrian exercise. Motion quite disagreeable; and I made strange work at dotting i's and crossing t's. Hyphens also will connect words more closely than intended,—confounding too all compound terms. Showed our colors to a brig standing to the southward and eastward. Impossible to speak a vessel just now; but if we could only have gotten near one yesterday, might have communicated by boat, obtained newspapers, and learned the nominations, and general state of the country. By this time, two poor men, pitted against each other for the Presidency, have doubtless been made out more miserable characters than their most intimate acquaintance ever supposed them to be. And if either were elected, with the charges brought against him fully proved, it would be a disgrace to the Republic!
Twelve o'clock, and latitude just reported 30° 24'—the parallel of New-Orleans; longitude 68° 01'. Are getting past the Bermudas,—as usual, the "still vexed Bermoothes," though what continues to keep Bermoothes out of temper I cannot imagine.
Tuesday, June 15th.—Longitude, by chronometer, 70° 47' west; latitude observed, 32° 12' north: are barely making a northwest course, with a westerly variation. Have the wind steady at northeast by east. This makes it quite cold, and flannels and thick coats are comfortable.
June 16th.—In turning out this morning at four bells, found it quite calm; and on looking at the log slate, found that the wind had gone down within the past hour. Took advantage of the calm to practice at a target. Fired both batteries,—very good shooting; but the target escaped until the last shot, which knocked off the bull's eye, and dismounted the gun.