the 22d, of which they were apprized by another letter dated the 25th of July, in reply to that of the 20th before referred to; in which they were requested to furnish the department with such local information relative to the region where the outrage was committed, as might become essential in seeking indemnity or inflicting punishment on the perpetrators. A copy of this letter will also be found in the Appendix. Through the medium of this correspondence the government obtained the services of a gentleman of Salem, who had been personally concerned in the pepper-trade on the coast-was on board the Friendship when attacked, and was well acquainted with that part of Sumatra.

The preparations being completed, additional instructions on this branch of the cruise were given to the commander, as before mentioned, by the secretary of the navy, on the 9th of August. In order to appreciate the judgment and caution with which these instructions on so delicate and important a subject were drawn up, as well as to enable the reader, in the sequel, to judge of the faithful and officer-like manner in which they were carried into execution, it will be necessary for him to recur to the copy which we have been permitted to insert at length in the Appendix. By these instructions it will be seen he was directed to proceed from Rio Janeiro to the east by the Cape of Good Hope, to call the treacherous Malays to an account, and redress our grievances in that quarter; and from thence, after visiting certain ports in the Chinese Seas, to cross the vast Pacific, and take command of the squadron on the west coast of South America.

With reference to the outrage in question, the public press evinced a sensitiveness which did honour to the editorial corps. Only a few days previous to the sailing of the Potomac, many articles on the subject appeared in the daily papers, from one of which the following extracts are copied :-" As far as public sentiment can be collected from the newspapers and from general conversation, it appears to be the unanimous wish of the nation that one or more of our ships-of-war should be despatched to the western coast of Sumatra, to look after our commercial interests in that remote sea, and punish the natives for the outrage recently committed upon the ship Friendship, of Salem." In the same article it is added, "A high-handed outrage has been committed, and if it be suffered to pass by unavenged, we know not how

many others may occur. The approaching departure of the Potomac will afford the government an opportunity of intrusting the expedition to an intelligent, active, and gallant officer, who, we apprehend, would teach these piratical vagabonds such a lesson respecting American manners and customs as would hereafter induce them to mend their own."

Although Commodore Downes had hoisted his broad pennant on board of the Potomac on the 24th of July, he was still absent on business until the 23d of August. During this period the Potomac lay at anchor off Castle Garden, in the North river, and every arrangement deemed necessary for a long and distant voyage was completed.

The wind, which for several days had blown from an unfavourable quarter, chopped round on the morning of the 24th of August, and gave us a fine light breeze from the northwest. "All hands up anchor, ahoy!" was the cheerful cry which passed through the ship before five o'clock, ere the rising sun had gilded the tallest spires of the city. This summons was succeeded by a scene of bustle and excitement which can only be realized by one who has witnessed its effects on the officers and crew of a man-ofwar bound on a distant cruise. The Potomac's canvass wings were suddenly expanded, as if by magic, and the gallant vessel moved slowly but gracefully from her anchorage down the bay, until Sandy Hook lighthouse bore east by south half-south, when she was again brought to anchor.

The wind and tide both favoured the departure of the Potomac on the morning of the 26th, and by eight o'clock she had passed the bar with a fine leading breeze. The maintopsail was now laid to the mast, while the pilot made his hasty preparations to depart. At such a moment most vessels, but, perhaps, especially a man-of-war, present a busy and interesting scene. There had been ample leisure for writing during the days of detention by contrary winds; but the last moment on such occasions must always be embraced; and the state-rooms of the officers, the ward-room, steerage, and cockpit, are occupied by writers penning hasty adieus, despatching the last little earnest of continued affection. If this be a mere matter of feeling, be it so; there is something sacred in it which the warm heart can always appre ciate for a line written at the moment the noble vessel lies

shaking in the wind, and about to bound fearlessly on her destined track, must always possess a value that under no other circumstances can be imparted to it.

The pilot, having taken charge of these sacred scraps, hastened to his little boat, which had been dancing on the undulating billows near the Potomac like another nautilus during the whole of the morning. The ship was now filled away, and every drawing sail set, bearing to the south and east.

There have so often pretty things been said, and so many fine changes rung on language in describing the feelings of the heart on bidding to our " native land good night," that we shall attempt nothing of the kind here. We are well aware, however, that thousands are daily taking their departure without evincing any unusual emotions about it; and yet we do really believe no one can thus depart without experiencing emotions which do credit to the human heart.

In four hours, and they were short ones, the last faint lines of the highlands had vanished, and the active duties to which many were called seemed to relieve them from the recollections of home. But it is the youth, the young "reefers," who have for the first time left the parental fireside, who are likely to feel much in moments like these. Though previous to their embarcation they think they have a tolerably correct idea of the privations and toils of the mariner's life, and feel their minds well fortified to combat the most untoward events; yet, when in the space of a few hours they find themselves tossing upon the mighty deep, and that deep begirt only by the open horizon, the ship dashing with each freshening breeze, with accumulated velocity, from all their young affections hold dear; 'tis then that the heart, desponding, shorn of every pride, feels its frailty, and owns how strong is that cord which binds to country and home.

They now remember with the liveliest feelings and emotions of filial affection, that the kind admonitions of a father were really and in truth kind. Bygone hours and days, spent from home with convivial friends, or in search of some momentary pleasure, now present themselves to their lively imaginations, shaking their gory locks," upbraiding them with their time mispent-or, if not entirely mispent, they feel they might have been much better employed in the society of a fond mother or sister-of those

whom they now sensibly feel are and ever must be the truest objects of their affections and obedience.

Having gained a sufficient offing, the anchors were, as is usual, securely stowed, cables unbent and coiled in their respective tiers, and, in the language of a thrifty housewife, as well as of the sailor, every thing "made snug."

CHAPTER II.

Sea-sickness-The Gulf-stream-A Storm at Sea-Cape de Verds-St. Antonio -A Whale-ship-Trial of Speed-Crossing the Equator-Rio Janeiro-Courteous Reception of the Frigate.

On the second day following her departure from Sandy Hook, a tumbling sea caused an irregular pitching and rolling motion of the vessel, peculiarly unpleasant to those who were unaccustomed to the turbulent domains of Neptune. The certainty, however, that sea-sickness is not fatal in its effects, and that, sooner or later, a restoration to health will ensue, has sometimes encouraged others, whose stomachs are proof against this scourge of the "fresh man of the sea," to sport in wanton mood with the dejected feelings of the sufferer. Yes, we repeat, sufferer, for woful experience has taught, that, of all the "evils which flesh. is heir to," none is so unpleasant, for the time being, as sea-sickThe spirits droop, the heart sickens-a total indifference to life, death, friends, home, country, succeeds-until every thing seems swallowed up in that nauseating stupor which preys upon the very spirit itself!

ness.

The autumnal equinox was now fast approaching, a season of the year which frequently introduces itself into the North Atlantic with storms and tempests, and even violent and destructive hurricanes.

As the Potomac approached the gulf-stream, she underwent the usual preparation for storms and squalls, so generally met with in this portion of the Atlantic; so usual, indeed, that it has become proverbial

"That in the stream

The lightnings gleam,

And Boreas blows his blast."

The commodore had hoped to escape every thing like a gale, quite content to try the qualities of his ship for sailing with fine