You must have been much disappointed at not hearing from us by the Ann McKim (In fact, all my letters have been such mere apologies that I have been ashamed to send them), but I have a very good reason for it, as for the last three weeks I have been confined to my bunk with Typhus Fever, which has had a most debilitating effect on me. For two weeks I eat nothing, but now I have appetite enough to eat a bowl of weak soup. I am getting better, having little or no fever.

[171]

The last time I had the pleasure of hearing from you was I think October 20th when I received a most welcome parcel of letters and papers, dated June 1st, which probably came by the Zenobia, owned by Gordon & Talbot. I wrote last by the Mary Chilton. Oh! Aunt Maria, Oh! Johnny, Fanny, Mary & Bertha, how I grieve that I cannot answer your invaluable letters. I feel guilty, but if you could have seen me in this Work House you would pardon me. However, in a few weeks after you have read this I hope you will need no letters from me. Oh! Aunt Maria, to be sick in a ship’s forecastle is the extent of human misery.

Our Second Mate left us more than a month since, and this week a deaf Dutchman, for four years a mate, and now discharged from the Ianthe because he had no command over the men, has taken his place.

James was, unfortunately, severely ill at the same time with me, which made it much worse for both of us, particularly for me. He has however recovered, and will be able to resume his work tomorrow. At the time, our three best men were sick, and one of them nearly died, so that at one time, his pulse could not be felt. Besides, the steward is sick and pretends to be crazy. The Captain of course sent him to the forecastle (where he has no more right to be than the livestock) where he keeps all hands awake all night.

And the boys have been turned out of a house, which we were miserable in, the passage out, and crammed in the Forecastle, where there was hardly room for the men. And I am indebted for a place to lay in, and he has to sleep on deck. The fact is we are moored in the most unhealthy place in the river and the Captain says he would not come up here again, if he should come to Canton forty times. We’ve had a dozen American ships close around us. Two or three have dropped down, and we probably would do the same, if we were not going away so soon.

The Captain accidentally discovered I could pull an oar, so I made one short visit to Canton. But I had little more time than sufficed to make a most agreeable call on Dr. Parker, where I had the pleasure also of meeting his young and beautiful wife (late Miss Webster of Washington). I made no purchases at all. In fact, it is considered that most all their knick-knacks can be obtained as cheap or cheaper in New York, especially since the fire, as most of the business part of the city is destroyed, which has advanced the price of everything. But some kind of thin clothes are much cheaper. I have got nothing of the kind but a pair of bright brown grass cloth pants, which I purchased to call on Dr. Parker.

This you will probably get by the Lucas which has been here but about a week. However she is chartered by our owners, Gordon & Talbot, and we can get no cargo until she is full. If she had not come we should probably have been off. She sails next Tuesday the 22nd and then we can complete our cargo in a few days. And as we are all tarred and painted we [172] will be after her in a week. We give her (our barque) four months home. I don’t think we will be longer than that unless we lose some of our spars or meet with some accident. And we ought to have a shorter passage.

Will you be kind enough to send down my coat and “Old Grey” immediately on receipt of this to Mr. Morton, requesting him to keep them at his store. I can expect no more letters from you, for if a ship arrives we do not get them under a week. After all, we may not sail as soon, but that is the probability. The Talbot and Splendid will sail, and likely other ships in two weeks, so it will be carry on, to get home first. I hope you have saved the paper containing the account of the fire in Canton, as I should like to see the account of it. Ours and the Ann McKim boat were the first that arrived (about I o’clock a.m.).

I wish to finish myself, James having been kind enough to write the above after me.

My dearest love to you all. I am sorry I could obtain no presents at all, but I have had no opportunity.

Homeward bound! The prospects are favorable—except that some of the stores are in a rather poor condition & the water will not be as good as coming out. Otherwise, I think we shall have a pleasanter time than coming out.

Don’t think because of my writing that I am very sick. It’s only weakness & a trembling hand.

God grant that we have a good passage & that I find you all well. Poor Ada , I shall bring her some candy, if she has not passed from this world of pain. But I hope I shall find her recovered and able to enjoy the pleasures of the world. Good-bye!