I wrote you by the Lucas which sailed some ten days since. We were then expecting to sail last week: but orders having been received for us to take Green teas, we arc detained. How long?

“Perhaps a week-perhaps a month,” Captain Fox.

“Say two or three weeks,” (F.L.O.)

“Sooner the better,” (all hands.)

The internal navigation is interrupted to a great degree by drought, low water, so the teas don’t come down. Meantime the old Hong merchants hold up for enormous prices. So there you have it.

I have had a bad time the last week, hardly able to hold up my head—owing to constipation (same illness you understand). As Dr. Green dislikes unnecessary purgatives as much as I do, tried to get along without them using syringe, &c., but yesterday obliged to resort to medicine, & this p.m. much relieved by it. But hardly able to sit up long enough to scrawl off as quick as possible, as I get sick, if long out of a lying posture. I now anticipate a speedy recovery.

All the boys are now down, & two men, but none seriously ill: (that is very.)

Steward of English ship arrived yesterday says they have eleven hands on sick list.

Probably several ships sail now before us. [I will] write more at length, & I hope to Aunt Maria, John, Fanny, & the children, or some at least.

I am getting the nausea & must turn in. I know sickness will excuse everything & the ship sails to-morrow morning. With all love,