Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/82

72 freinds and Intrest, And many Hundreds are sterving for want of employ- ment, and many good people are begging.

Tuesday, 25th. Having heard last night that John Ross sloop was come from Zetland, I took a Boat this morning and went onboard her and seed him and Robert Irvine. And then I hade the happiness to hear that my wife and Childrein were all well on the 3$d$ In$st$ it being the day they left Bressaysound. The rest of this day I was employed in present- ing the Petition I hade drawn up on the 24$th$. Ins$t$ to severall Merch$ts$ and others and doing all I cou'd to get into business of some kind near home but all to no effect.

Wednesday, 26th. This day I being reduced to the last shilling I hade was obliged to engage to go to Virginia for four years as a school- laster for Bedd, Board, washing and five pound during the whole time. I lave also wrote my wife this day a particular Acco$t$ of every thing that as happned to me since I left her untill this date ; At 3 pm this day I went on board the Snow Planter Cap$t$. Bowers Com$r$ for Virginia now lying at Ratliff Cross, and imediatly as I came Onb$d$! I rec$d$ my Ham- mock and Bedding, at 4 pm came Alex$r$ Steuart onb$d$ the same Ship, he was Simbisters Serv$t$ and had only left Zetland about three weeks before me. we were a good deall surprised to meet w$t$ on another in this place.

Thursday, 27th. This day ranie weather, the ships crew imployed in rigging the ship under the Direction of the mate and I was imployed in getting my Hammock slung, at 2 pm came onb$d$ Alex$r$ Burnet nephew to Mr. Francis Farquharson writter in Edinburgh and one Samuel Mitch- ell a Cooper from Yorkshire and both entred into the berth and Mace with Stewart and me.

Saturday, 29th. This day came on b$d$ Alex$r$ Kennedy a young man from Edinb$r$ who hade been a Master Cooper there and a Glasgow Man by trade a Barber both which we took into our Mace, which compleated it being five Scotsmen and one Yorkshireman, and was always called the Scots mace, And the Cap$t$ told me he was from the Toun of Aberbothick in Scotland, but th$t$ he [had] not been there since he was fifteen years of age but hade been always in the Virginia trade which I was verry glad to hear.

Monday, 31st. This day I went ashore and bought a penknife, a paper Book, and some paper and pens and came on board to Dinner. It is surprising to see the N$o$ of good tradesmen of all kinds, th$t$ come onb$d$ every day.

Friday, February 4th. This day at 7 AM unmoored from Ratliff- cross and fell down the river with the tide there being no wind. This day I seed Deptfoord, Greenage Hospital!, Blackwall and Ullage. at 1