Roxbury, Oct. 2nd, 1846

My dear little Grandson:

in the far West,

It is now many months since I have written a word of my autobiography; cares and afflictions have pressed heavily upon me, and I have almost despaired of ever being able to fulfil my promise to you. I have concluded, however, to continue my story and pursue it to the end, if my health, faculties and life are spared me. If they are not, you must take will for the deed. -- You will expect some account of the port of Dieppe; it is a small place, with a good harbour and an old Castle. Longitude 1 4' E., from Greenwich and Latitude 46°50' N., At the time I am writing about (which was the year 1802) the inhabitants were generally occupied in fishing, and privateering. Many prizes, captured from the English, were brought in during the time we staid there. The Captain of one of the Privateers, that I frequently saw, had been so daring and successful, that Bonaparte gave him the rank of a Captain in the Navy, and made him a member of the "Legion of Honor", although he was entirely uneducated, and could neither read nor write. This will give you an idea of the state of the times at that period. Yes, it is too true that at times a good "fighter" was thought more highly of than a good scholar, but, thank heaven, those days have past .and it is to be hoped never to return, although this war of "Polk's" leads me sometimes to fear they will. I have good hopes that the peace of the world would never be disturbed, and felt extremely mortified when the folly and wickedness of James K. Polk and his “loco foco" allies plunged the country into a war with Mexico. This, however, is a digression from my subject, for which you would excuse me could you realize the trouble and loss I have sustained in consequence of the mal-administration of the government by this Loco foco leader, and his loco foco followers. During our stay in Dieppe, it being at the interesting period, when Bonaparte was collecting his famous Flotilla of gunboats on that part of the coast of France. In the British Channel, opposite to the Coast of England, we had frequent opportunities of seeing their preparations for invasion, all of which were extremely exciting and interesting. You will find in history full accounts of those eventful days, to which I must refer you. The invasion of England was long threatened by Bonaparte, but never attempted. Having completed the sale and delivery of our cargo, we took on board our ballast, water and provisions and sailed early in the spring for Newport, the chief town in the Isle of Wight, Longitude 1° 29W., Latitude 50° 42 N., where we arrived in safety, took on board a cargo of sale and sailed for home. I cannot remember anything remarkable, or particularly interesting that occured during our passage. It was a pleasant season of the year, and my impression is that we had a very pleasant passage, but not a short one. You can imagine how thankful we all were, after so long a voyage, once more to “call anchor on our native shores”. Well, the old Greyhound is now safely riding in fort Point Channel, Boston harbour, Perhaps you would like to go on board this old craft with me; well, come along, the boat is ready, mind how you get down the side of the wharf, it is qite slippery; hold on fast. Now sit down snug in the stern sheets, push off boys, down oars and pull away briskly. We are now alongside, take hold of the man ropes and follow me up the side. You are welcome on board the good Brig Greyhound; please to walk into the cabin. You would like to know where all those Canary birds you see hanging round the cabins came from? Well, I will tell you. The half dozen cages you see contained each a pair of Canary birds when we sailed from Dieppe; they now, each, contain two pair of fine birds. These interesting little families were hatched during the voyage from France, and, as you see, have become quite grown up. How do you like their music? The Persian carpets you see were bought in Muscat. They belong to the Captain. We use them now for the cabin; there is a motive for that. Bye and bye when the brig is discharged, the Captain will take them home, free of duty to the Government. Well, now we will go on deck; it is time for the mate to come on board; he has been on shore all night. Who is that hailing the Brig? It is tne chief mate, Sir. Step in the boat and go on shore for him. The boat returns; do you see how miserably that mate looks? He is drunk, and has evidently been rolling in the mud; see, he staggers into the cabin, lays himself in his berth and goes to sleep. Perhaps, you are now quite tired staying on board the Greyhound, and would like to go on shore. Stop a little while; here is an order from the owners to deliver cargo; what is to be done? The mate is drunk and sound asleep. Another order comes for me to commence discharging cargo and when the mate awakes, to tell him to go on shore to the counting room and receive his wages, as his services will be no longer wanted. Stop a few minutes longer. I will make arrangements for discharging cargo, this afternoon, and then go on shore with you. Well, you are now landed, and thus ends your visit on board the Greyhound. When the mate awoke, poor fellow, he was extremely mortified and I pitied him, but his conduct during the whole voyage had been such that he hardly deserved my sympathy. I communicated to him the order I had received from the owner for him to go on shore, which he complied with and left the brig bag and baggage; no tears were shed on the occasion, and to tell the truth, I was truly glad to get clear of a very disagreeable companion. I was now appointed chief mate of the Greyhound. I was anxious to go home, and see my friends, but was under the necessity of attending to unloading the cargo. This, however, did not take long. After the cargo was all landed, it was determined on by the owner to load the Brig for Rotterdam. Lieutenant Foster was to go Captain, and the owner gave me an invitation to go chief mate, which I accepted, and was permitted to go home for a few days on condition that I would hold myself in readiness to return as soon as summoned, to join the Brig. My last voyage being now settled and arrangements made for a new one, I left Boston with a light and merry heart to pass a few happy days with the only near and dear friends I have on Earth. I arrived safe, and found all well and overjoyed to see me. As I had but a short time to stay with my friends, I made the most of it. I arrived on Thursday and on the Saturday following I received a letter from the owner of the Greyhound calling me “away from love to duty” and on Monday morning I was obliged to take my departure and leave for a season, all that was dear to me once more to buffet: the stormy ocean. I left home as usual without a formal good-bye, a ceremony that I generally managed to avoid owing, I believe, to a kind of superstition I had about it. On my arrival in Boston, I found the Brig nearly ready for sea. I took my station on board and feeling quite at home on board the old craft that I had sailed so many leagues in, went to work and put everything in "perfect order" ready to sail the first fair wind. It was summer time, the month of August, I think, the weather was fine and the wind coming fair; we set sail and ran down to Nantasket Roads; the same evening Capt. Foster came on board in the pilot boat. The following morning at daylight, the weather being bright and fair, we got under way and went to sea, Captain Foster was a stranger to me. We soon, however, became acquainted with each other. I found him a most excellent man, and I have reason to think he was quite well pleased with me, I was young, only about nineteen, but having served as second mate on a long voyage with one of the best seamen that ever stood between stem and stern of a vessel, (Captain Isaac Elwell) I had profited so much from his instruction and my experience that I understood my duty most thoroughly as chief mate; consequently, everything on board the Greyhound went on like clockwork and perfectly to Captain Foster's satisfaction. Our passage to Rotterdam was a pleasant one. On our arrival there I was struck with the neat appearance of everything that met my eyes. No other country that I ever visited can compare with Holland for neatness. The people were kind and hospitable, which rendered our stay there very pleasant. Having landed our cargo, we took on board some sand for ballast and some pipes of gin on cargo and sailed for home the latter part of October 1804, Our passage was a stormy one. Several of our crew were sick with fevers; one died. Captain Foster's health was so poor that he was unable to bear fatigue, consequently, great care and responsibility devolved upon me. At one time during the passage there was only one beside myself able to stand the deck, and he was so lame that he was unable to go aloft. Our sails were poor and several of them blown to pieces. It was the month of December, when we got into Boston Bay. After encountering several severe snow storms, being several times blown off the coast by the fierce Northwestern's, we arrived in Boston, all quite exhausted and truly thankful for an opportunity to take a few hours quiet repose, which all of us so much needed. The next morning it blew quite a gale off shore and we were lying at single anchor in fort point channel, when a heavy flaw of wind off the land set us adrift and before we could get down a second anchor, so we drove ashore on the flats of William’s Island. At this time my cousin, Charles L. Sargent came on hoard; he commanded a ship called the Financien belonging to the same gentleman that owned the Greyhound. I was very glad to see him, I heard from him all about home. My friends generally were well. The only sad intelligence he had to communicate was the death of my grandfather Foster. This was unlooked for, as he was in the enjoyment of fine health when I left home. He was between seventy and eighty years of age and he having passed the age allotted to man, I was not so much surprised as grieved to hear of his death. His illness was short and he left this world without suffering. The Brig was now lying safe and easy upon the flats, and it being low water, she did not receive the slightest damage. My cousin Charles kindly offered to request the owner to send a man on board to relieve me and let me go on shore; and being greatly fatigued and nearly beat out, I thanked him and accepted his offer. So in the afternoon a man came on board and I went on shore. It was not long after I landed when I found myself seated at Martin Prentiss' before a good, cheerful fire, surrounded by a number of my Gloucester friends. One of the number was Col. William Pearce, he had a great deal to say to me. He had a brig building at the time in Newbury, which he said he should like to have me take charge of when she was launched, which would be early in the Spring. I told him I should be glad to avail myself of his offer, but under existing circumstances, I thought there would be an impropriety in my making a positive engagement before I consulted with Mr. Parsons; the owner of the Greyhound, as he had treated me well and might be disposed to continue me in his employ. In this Col. Pearce agreed with me and promised not to engage any one to go Captain of his new brig until he heard from me again.  My old friend Nancy Cooper (niece of Mrs. Prentiss) treated me very kindly, and gave me the best the house afforded. With all this kind treatment you may be assured the evening passed off pleasantly. I had a comfortable night's rest, arose in the morning quite refreshed, took a hearty breakfast and repaired on board the Greyhound. I found her safe, made fast alongside of Mr. Parson's wharf. My next duty was to make arrangements for unloading the cargo; this I did, and as we had only a few pipes of gin to discharge before night, all was landed. The next forenoon I had an interview with Mr. Parsons; he paid me the wages that were due me, expressed himself well pleased with my conduct during the time I had been in his employ and gave me an invitation to go mate of the Greyhound again. I told him I did not intend to go mate again; I thought I was quite capable of Captain, and intended to try and obtain command of a vessel. I then told him of the offer Col. Pearce had made me; he requested me to delay giving an answer as long as I conveniently could, as he had it in contemplation to send the Greyhound to India, and if he did, should want me to go master of her, and as the brig was not yet launched that Col. Pearce wanted me to take charge of, there would be no immediate hurry; consequently, I promised to delay giving an answer as long as I could consistently. The old gentleman then shook as by the hand in the most cordial and friendly manner, bestowed on me many kind wishes, expressed much interest in my welfare, and bade me call and see him whenever I visited Boston. This kind treatment was extremely gratifying to me and I have remembered it with the greatest satisfaction it gave me both courage and confidence, I felt satisfied that I had performed my duty faithfully and received the merited approbation of my employer. With these pleasant reflections, I took my departure for "Home Sweet Home". On my arrival there I found my sister Frances well and delighted to see me, and another dear friend gave me the kindest and most cordial greeting, and my friends and acquaintance in general gave me a kind reception. Being now for a season released from care, I resolved to enjoy rationally and profitably every moment I had to stay on shore. It soon became necessary for me to give an answer to Col. Pearce in regard to taking charge of his Brig. Accordingly I went to Boston and4 called on my old friend Eben Parsons, Esq., to see what his conclusions were in regard to sending the Greyhound to India. The old gentleman received me in the most friendly manner, said he had concluded not to send the Greyhound to India, and as he had not, at that time, anything to offer me that appeared so much for my interest as the offer made me by Col. Pearce, he could not but advise me to take up with it. After repeating his good wishes for my wellfare, he bade me "God speed” and I took my leave, returned home and engaged to take command of the new brig. My mind was now settled; I had employment in prospect which gave a zest to the enjoyment of my few weeks of leisure before resuming active duty. These happy days rolled rapidly away, during which no particular event that I can now remember interesting to record, except the marriage of my sister Frances to John Baker of Boston (of the respectable firm of Durrell and Baker). This was an eligible connection and promised to be happy one. She left Boston soon after her marriage with her husband to take up her residence in Boston. The time now drew near for me to proceed to Newbury and take charge of the new Brig, so after seeing to the sails and rigging being shipped, I went to Newbury and took charge. The vessel being not quite ready to launch, to save time I commenced rigging her upon the stocks, This was an uncommon practice at that time, it being considered unsafe to launch a vessel with her masts and spars all set. In this instance, however, we rigged the Brig completely and launched her in safety, took on board ballast and sailed for Gloucester, where we arrived in safety. The name given to the Brig was Edward Henry, for one of the grandsons of the owner. She was a snug little craft about 125 tons and quite a respectable vessel for those days. I took on board a full cargo, consisting of coffee, sugar, dye wood, rice, hops and rum and sailed for Copanhagen in the month of May 1805. I was just 21 years old the 7th day of March previous. My mate's name was Philip Smith; he belonged to Martha's Vineyard. My crew were all natives of Cape Ann, Samuel Wharf, John White, Nathan Webber, Morey Morse and John Woodbury. My cooks name I have forgotten. My passage to Copenhagen was a pleasant one, unattended with any remarkable occurrence. I arrived there in the month of June, left nearly all my cargo “in the hands of Messrs. C. T. Black, Wade & Co., and sailed with the balance on or about the 4th of July for St. Petersburg, and arrived there on the 16th. after a moderate pleasant passage. The brig Byfield of Boston, Capt. Isaac Foster arrived at Constadt about the same time that I arrived there and after entering our vessels and making the necessary arrangements for discharging ballast, we hired a Barge together and started late in the afternoon for St. Petersburg. Cronstadt is the place where all vessels drawing over a foot of water lie to take in and discharge cargo. It is about twenty miles below St. Petersburg on the river Neva, Lighters are used for loading and unloading. The weather was delightfully pleasant and it being about midsummer, it was as light as day all night. The first thing that met our eyes as we approached the city was the tall spines covered with gold that glittered in the rays of the setting sun and appeared to rise alone from the water. Soon after, however, the city arose in full view, presenting a most magnificent appearance. The wind being ahead and the current against us, it was late at night before we reached the city. As I was a stranger in the city, Capt. Foster invited me to go with him to Mr. Vernon's, the gentleman to whom his vessel was addressed. I accepted his invitation, which never had cause to regret, as I was received by Mr. Vernon in the most hospitable manner and treated with great kindness. Atver partaking of a substantial supper, we took up our lodgings in the “North Sea", This was the name given to a big, spacious chamber in which were a number of most excellent beds. These, our hospitable host, had provided expressly for the accommodation of his American friends. The following morning, I took breakfast with Mr. Vernon, after which I took a droskey (this is a small vehicle peculiar to Russia) and rode to a hotel where I intended to take up my residence. Having deposited my trunk in my room, I took a guide with me and called on my merchants, Messrs. Thompson, Bonar & Co. After delivering my letters and conversing awhile about business, I returned to the hotel where I found my trunk taken away, and a note from Mr. Vernon insisting upon my taking up my residence at his home during my stay in the city, so I returned to Mr. Vernon's, had an interview with him and thanked him for his disinterested hospitality. He assured me it gave him great pleasure to have an opportunity of showing any mark of attention to an inhabitant of Gloucester, the native place of his wife, and where he had received much kind and hospitable treatment. In the course of conversation, I found he was acquainted with many of my connections in Gloucester and Boston. As it would be necessary for me to return to Cronstadt in a few days to see to my affairs there, I accepted Mr. Vernon's invitation and took up my abode with him, (his family were at the time residing in the country) for the time I had to stay, during which I was treated with every mark of kindness and attention, made several visits with him to his family and went on one or two excursions of pleasure, one of which was to see the ascension of a balloon on the road to Peterhoff. A large multitude were collected on the occasion, but the ascension was a failure. We had, however, a pleasant party and a good time. The time was now arrived for me to return to Cronstadt and I bade adieu to my hospitable friend; not, however, until he made me promise to come and see him on my return to the city and make his house my home whenever I felt an inclination to. In the "North Sea" he assured me I should always find a bed. -- On my return to Cronstadt found all right, the mate had done all things needful and the vessel was all in order to take on board cargo. While Messrs. Thompson, Bonar & Co., were purchasing and making ready my cargo, I had leisure to enjoy myself, and being young and full of life I made the best use I could of my time to attain that end in a profitable and rational way. Cronstadt - mole is the harbour or basin where the ships of all nations trading with St. Petersburg lie. They are of all sizes, and lie in tiers quite near each other, at times a thousand in number. The eastern part of the basin as called the Man of War's mole. There lie the Russian ships of war that are under repairs or laid up in ordinary. The town of Cronstadt is principally inhabited by Government officers attached to the service, officers of the army and navy, ship brokers, soldiers,» sailors, mechanics, etc. These, with the floating population belonging to the merchant ships, forn quite a dense mass of human beings, presenting a continual scene ot bustle and excitement. Fire on board was forbidden by the regulations of the Port, and we were under the necessity of having our cooking done on shore in a large cook-house furnished by the Government for that purpose. There are assembled all the cooks belonging to the merchant ships. They make choices of a captain and establish quite a dispotic government, and woe betide the captain or mate of a ship that intrudes upon their premises. I have frequently past by the cook-house but never ventured into it. I was disgusted by its outward appearance and could never relish anything cooked in it, so I usually took my meals on shore at the Hotel. I do not think there is another place in the world that presents such a scene of condensed activity and business in loading, unloading and everything relating to the shipping interest; as Cronstadt - mole in summers This arises, in a great measure, from the shortness of their season of business , navigation being closed generally by ice from the middle of November until the middle of the following May. I passed the time while waiting for my cargo very pleasantly. The society in Cronstadt was quite agreeable. There were several English residents that I was very intimate with and in these families I felt quite at home, being always made welcome in the most hospitable manner. Edward Pridac, Esq., (notary public) was at that time a bachelor; his house was kept by his unmarried sister Mary Pridac, a lively, sensible young lady, At their house I past many very happy hours, Our principal amusement was walking to the mole head and riding down to the Toll beacon. Cronstadt being only a small island there was but little variety in the scenery. There was much, however, in the comical people we met with that relieved the monotony and made our walks and rides truly delightful. I past most of my time in the city of St. Petersburg. It being in the early days of the reign of Alexander, all was life and gaiety in this great city. I had frequent opportunities of seeing the Emperor. He was a noble looking man and was greatly beloved by his people. Everything about the city had an appearance of uniformity that gave me the impression that the whole had been directed by one mighty mind. It is truly a splendid city, too grand for me to attempt to give a description even if my memory would allow me to. I must, therefore, refer you to books which one of these days your father will procure for you.

There was a great illumination to take place at the palace and gardens at Peterhoff and being invited to go and see it, I went with a party in a commodious barge from Cronstadt. Our party consisted of Mr. Pridac and sister, Mr. Shelton and wife, several American captains and some others. The weather was fine and being well stocked with cold roast chickens, cold tongue, cold ham, the best of bread and a plenty of wine and porter we started late. in the afternoon for Peterhoff, which is five or seven miles about south east from Cronstadt. The river was quite alive with the multitude in barges crossing to see the grand illumination. All the ships of war in the mole and on the river were splendidly dressed in colours, and all the merchant ships in the mole had their colours set, altogether producing the liveliest scene imaginable. On approaching Peterhoff the appearance was truly magnificent. Several large ships of war were lying at anchor on the river, quite near the shore and opposite the Peterhoff palace, dressed with the colours of every nation. The shores were lined with a vast multitude of people dressed in their best attire, and the margin of the river was crowded with splendid barges and boats of every description. We landed and made our way among the crowd toward the gardens, where was displayed a sight that I cannot do justice to by describing. I will endeavor, however, to give you some idea of the splendid scene. -- In approaching the palace, the water works and preparations for illumination first attracted our attention. In front of the palace was a sheet of water, the whole breadth of this magnificent building flowing over rows of varigated lamps, into a basin or reservoir, from whence it ascended in gushing fountains to the height of 50 or 60 feet, from the mouths and fingers of a number of marble images. All the avenues in this splendid garden were arched with variegated lamps. There were several artificial ponds encircled with festoons of variegated lamps. The ships of war in front of the palace were hung with lamps. And now the sun disappeared beneath the horizon; the guns of the ships of war announced the approaching moment of illumination, when, as if by magic, in the twinkling of an eye, every lamp was lit, displaying a scene indescribably grand. I perambulated these magnificent gardens with our party; in our walks we passed and repassed the emperor and a number of the members of the Imperial family, in low wheeled open vehicles, riding through their extensive gardens, much to the delight of the assembled multitude. It was astonishing to see the perfect order and harmony that prevailed throughout this immense concourse Of people. All appeared to be gaiety and good humour, unmingled with noise or strife. None were allowed to enter the palace except those that were furnished with tickets of admission and dressed in a peculiar style. The dress to be worn on this occasion consisted of a short cloak called a domino and a chapeau bias. The chapeau, however, was dispensed with. I had a ticket of admission, but no domino and should have been deprived of the pleasure of entering the palace had it not been for the kindness of one of the ladies of our party. Miss Mary Pridac wore, at the time, an elegant black, lace cloak; this she transferred from her shoulders to mine, took me by the arm and insisted upon my waiting upon her into the palace, which I could not well refuse to do had I been so inclined, so we marched in, and I have no doubt made as fine a display as the best of them. As for my borrowed domino, I was really proud of it; there was not a gentleman in the palace that wore one to be compared with it for beauty. The interior of the Palace presented a scene of grandeur beyond my powers of description. We walked through a number of spacious rooms crowded with ladies and gentlemen dressed in their best attire, into a spacious saloon, where we found ourselves in the presence of the Emperor, the Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Arch Duke Constantine and many more of the Imperial family. They were taking tea. We were very politely requested to take a cup, which we did, and I am, of course, now able to say with truth that I have taken tea with the Empress of Russia. But gaiety and grandeur, like everything else in this sublime region, must have an end; the night had imperceptibly worn away, and broad day-light had taken full possession when we left the palace to return to our barge. We found our little party all snugly seated, and we took our seats along with them. We were all in fine spirits and highly gratified with our magnificent entertainment. Our appetites were keen and on our way to Cronstadt we regaled ourselves with the good things we had provided for the occasion. After a pleasant passage across the Neva, we arrived safe in Cronstadt, where our party took leave of each other. Being kindly urged by my friend Pridac to go home with him and take a few hours sleep and breakfast, I accepted his kind invitation, went home with him, slept a few hours, took breakfast, after which I went up to St. Petersburg to attend to my business. My cargo was nearly all purchased and on the way to Cronstadt. I had but little to do in St. Petersburg, except to settle my accounts, having accomplished which, I returned to Cronstadt, settled my affairs, took leave of my kind friends, and made all things ready to sail for home.