My dear little Grandson :-

My last letter left me in Cronstadt Mole ready to sail for home. It was the month of August 1805, The weather was fine and having finished thus far successfully the business intrusted to me, my heart beat with pleasant emotions. All I had undertaken to do I felt satisfied had been well done and I looked forward with delight to the moment of again meeting my friends in Gloucester - - and now a light breeze sprung up from the eastward. We, with many others bound down the gulf of Finland, hauled outside of the mole and made sail. We were obliged to heave too a few miles below the mole to receive a visit from the Griard ship that lies anchored there for the purpose of inspecting all vessels inward and outward bound. The officer came on board, examined our passport and finding all right permitted us to proceed on our way. And now, having fulfilled all the laws and requirements of the Russian Government, we are fairly underway for home, gliding gently down the Gulf with all ail set, a clear sky, and a smooth sea. Sailing down or up the Gulf of Finland and Baltic in the summer season is remarkably pleasant, the weather is usually fine and as at this season daylight hardly leaves the sky; the navigator is relieved from the care and anxiety incident to long and dark nights. After a pleasant passage down the Baltic, we arrived safe at Copenhagen on the 20th of August 1805. Having left part of my cargo in this place on my way up the Baltic, my object in stopping here was to receive accounts of sales and make a settlement. ; found Messrs. C. T. Black, Wade & Company had made satisfactory sales of cargo left with them, and their accounts being all ready, my business was soon settled. I had nothing to do but take on board a few stores and sail for home. This I did without delay. My next stopping place was Elsinore [Helsingør] the sound about 39 miles north of Copenhaben. Here all ships bound in or out of the Baltic are obliged to stop and pay what is called the sound dues to the King of Denmark, for the privilege of passing through the sound. This, to the King, is a great source of revenue, and a heavy tax on all that have trade with the nations bordering upon the Baltic and Guifs above Elsinore. I arrived safe at Elsinore and settled my business, but the wind being ahead and blowing very hard, I was unable to sail for home. At length, after waiting patiently about fifteen days, the wind came fair and we got underway (with a large fleet of merchant ships belonging to all nations, but mostly English) and proceeded on our way down the sound and Cattigat [Kattegat]. The next day we past the Lcaw, sailed through the sleeve or Skaggerack along the coast of Norway, and took our departure from the Naze the third day after leaving Elsinore. From the Naze we shaped our course for Fair Isle. This is the northern most of the cluster of Islands on the north coast of Scotland called the Orkney Islands, and lies about midway between the main cluster of the Orkneys and the Shetland Isles. Through this passage called the Fair Isle passage, vessels in the Baltic trade coming or going north about (as it is called) pass. We had a favorable run across: the North Sea, past Fair Isle, through the Fair Isle passage clear of the coast of Scotland and now the broad Atlantic was open before us with strong gales blowing from the westward and a high and dangerous sea. Our little “Brig was deeply loaded and continually under water. She was new and strong and a good sea boat and after buffeting the winds and waves pretty stoutly for about sixty days, one morning in the month of November the joyful cry of "Land Ho" was proclaimed from the fore top gallant mast head, which proved to be Pigeon Hill the highest land on Cape Ann. As we we approached the shore, a pilot boat hove in sight, and not long after I was greeted with the hearty and friendly grip of the hard hand of Bill Layward the pilot, one of the best fellows on the coast of America and as good a seaman and pilot as can stand between stem and stern of a ship. My first question “how are all my friends at home" being satisfactorily replied to, my mind was at ease. I then went into a general inquiry in regard to events during my absence, of which an interesting account was soon given me by our friend, the pilot. I about an hour after the pilot came on board we doubled Eastern point, ran into what is called upper Cove of the harbour of Gloucester alongside the wharf belonging to my owner Col. Wm. Pearce. The old gentleman stood ready to take me by the hand and gave me a cordial greeting. Many friends were assembled on the wharf to bid me welcome. My voyage was now ended, its happy termination and the joyful meeting with many kind friends, as you may imagine, filled my heart with the liveliest sense of gratitude to the great father of mercies and giver of every good gift.

My next duty was to attend to the landing of my cargo. This being accomplished and my accounts all settled, my owner Col. Wm. Pearce expressed himself satisfied with my management of the voyage and as an evidence of his sincerity gave me an invitation to take command of his ship Susan Eliza (a vessel nearly twice as large as the Edw. Henry) for a voyage to Copenhagen and St. Petersburg to sail early the following spring. This proposal I cheerfully acceded to, and now having business in prospect, there was nothing for me to do but to take measures to enjoy every moment I had to stay on shore. I had formed an early attachment, and became engaged to the sister of my friend and schoolfellow, James Pearson and to this lady I was now about being married. With every prospect of happiness, the days of interesting anticipation rolled rapidly on, and the long wished for hour arrived. On the [date missing]  of January 1806 I was married to Mary Pearson, daughter of the late Major James Pearson of Gloucester, Mass. My wife's mother was married to William Pearson, Esq., the brother of her first husband, and my wife lived with them at the time of our marriage, and being kindly invited to pass some months with them, we accepted the invitation and suspended the cares of house-keeping for the present. Now "Hope was fair and time was young" and the rough blasts of winter passed unheeded by; the only thing we had to mar our happiness was the rapidity with which the time flew on, and the near approach of the hour of my departure. That time too soon arrived. The “Susan Eliza" was ready for sea and my hard fate compelled me to take leave of all that made life dear to me.

On Saturday the 11th of April 1806 at 2 P.M., we put to sea with the wind at W.N.W.and frequent squalls of snow; at 4 P. M. took our departure from [omitted] Island, it bearing W.N.H., 2 leagues distant. At 6 P, M. the weather cleared and no land in sight. On the 14h of May 1806 (being then 33 days: out during which we had encountered many heavy gales ) we saw the land on the coast of Scotland. On the 17th saw the islands of Bara and Rona, The weather was now thick and stormy. On the 18th at 10 A. M. the weather being pleasant with light breezes from the southwest, we past Fair Isle and entered the North Sea. On the 2lst of May we saw the coast of Norway, spoke the ship Good Dispatch, Capt. Jno. Dennis from Liverpool bound to Gottenburg. May the 22nd at 7A.M. we saw the light houses on the Naze of Norway, bearing N.N.W. 12 miles distant. Weather hazy; many vessels in sight. May 23rd 1806 at 7 A.M. saw "Robsnaut" on the coast of Jutland, bearing S.E. 21 miles distant. May 24th at 12 midnight, the Leas light in sight, bearing W & N. 15 miles distant; at 2A.M. Marstrand Castle in sight bearing E. & N.; at 8A.M. Wengir beacon bearing S. E. 1/2 E., 6 miles distant. Quite calm, a great number of vessels in sight. Went on board the Brig "Fitz William" from Copenhagen bound to Gloucester. This vessel was commanded by Harry Smith, own uncle to my wife. Was truly glad to meet with him, as it afforded me a good opportunity to send letters to my wife and to my owners. The weather continuing calm, I staid on board the Fitz William several hours, and took a right good salt fish dinner with Uncle Harry. Observing that his vessel was very deeply loaded, and apparently a dull sailor, I was apprehensive he would have a long passage home. This led me to make some inquiry with regard to his stores, and finding him rather deficient in several articles, offered to supply him, which offer he was very thankful for, so I sent him on board a barrel of beef, two sacks of bread, six pounds of chocolate, twenty pounds rice and half a dozen ducks. Of these ducks, I have a story to tell which may as well come in this place as any other.

At the time we were taking in cargo at Pearce's wharf in the upper cove of Cape Ann Harbour, my friend Capt. Charles Rogers, lived at a place called Rowe's Bank on the shore of the Cove, not a great distance from the ship. One day as he was passing in the neighborhood of the ship there happened to be a beautiful flock of ducks swimming about in the cove. I remarked to him, “that there was a fine flock of ducks". "Yes" said he, "and they belong to me, and if you will catch them, I will make you a present of them for sea stock". Now you must know these ducks had been so much at large they were quite wild, and he doubtless thought himself quite safe in offering them to me, thinking I should never be able to catch them. I thanked him, however, little thinking myself that I should ever succeed in taking them. A few days after, the ship being quite ready for sea with all hands on poard, this flock of ducks came swimming along, quite near to the ship and presented a fine opportunity for a bit of a frolic; so I told the mate, he must man the boat, and capture the flock of ducks. The boat was accordingly manned and soon in full chase, the result of which was they succeeded in driving them into a creek where they took the whole of them and brought them on board. The ducks I gave Uncle Harry were what remained of the flock, but the story does not end here. Now, Uncle Harry being an old fashioned sort of a man, cared but little about ducks, a good piece of salt beef answered his purpose, consequently, he did not kill one of them, but took them all home with him. Now, Uncle Harry, you must know, lived at a place called Eastern Point, on the side of the cove opposite to Rowe's Bank, distant therefrom about two miles, perhaps more, These pet ducks were now safely landed and fed at Uncle Harry's back door, much to the delight of all the family; the cove was open for them to swim in and they soon felt themselves quite at home.

I had now been absent about three months, when one day Capt. Roger's family were quite astonished with the appearance of their ducks marching up the Bank. Where they came from they could not imagine — how those ducks: got back that Captain Sargent carried away in the "Susan Eliza" no one could tell; and it was some days before the riddle was unfolded.

As the weather continued calm, I past nearly the whole day on board the "Fitz William" talking about old times and friends at home with Uncle Harry. At length a light breeze sprung up from the northward, we parted, wishing each other "God Speed" and proceeded each on his destined way. On the 26th of May at 10 A.M., we came to an anchor in Elsimon. At noon the same day sailed for Copenhagen, and arrived there that afternoon. I went on shore, called on Messrs. E. T. Black, Wade & Company, and the next day hauled the ship in and began to discharge cargo. On the 4th of June 1806 sailed for St. Petersburg; had a fine run up the Baltic, and Gulf of Finland, and arrived safe in Cronstadt Mole on the 10th of June. As soon as my vessel was entered and the necessary passport obtained, I took passage in a barge for St. Petersburg and arrived there the same evening. The following morning called on Messrs. Thompson, Bonar & Company and gave them orders to purchase a cargo of Iron, Hemp, Duck, Sheeting, etc., etc. - My cargo being soon provided and taken on board, on the 1st of July I sailed for home.

A short time before sailing, I heard the painful intelligence of the sudden death of my friend, Mr. Vernon. A few days before I saw him, apparently in fine health. He died of appoplexy. -- On the 14th of July arrived in Copenhagen, went on shore, settled my business with Messrs. Black, Wade & Co., and the following day sailed for Elsimon. Here I had to stay until the 20th of July, waiting for a wind, at length an easterly wind sprang up and we sailed for home, with a large fleet bound down the Cattigat, one of which was the Brig Mary of Portland, Captain William McLelun. July 27th past the Naze of Norway; July 29th past Fair Isle; August 2nd 1806, Lat. 59 N., 19, Long. 14-6 W., spoke the Brig Caravan, Capt. Gilchrist, 24 days from Baltimore, bound to Amsterdam. The captain came on board, and sent letters to his wife and I sent a letter by him to Messrs, Black, Wade & Co. Copenhagen, August 22nd fell in with the wreck of a schooner with her gunwale even with the water, masts and everything gone off deck. “HA” were the only letters we could make out upon her stern; these appeared to be the two first letters of the port she belonged to. Her hatches were off and she appeared to be loaded with lumber and hogsheads. August 28th sounded on the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, 80 fathoms, small black and white stones. August 20th on Grand bank at midnight commenced one of the most terrific gales I ever witnessed, which took all the sails we had set at the time entirely out of the bolt ropes and did us a great deal of other damage. This gale continued with unabated fury for eighteen hours. September 1st still on the Grand Bank, past a number of fishing schooners at anchor in about 40 fathoms of water. The weather being moderate and pleasant, we hove to and caught ten fine cod fish which were a great treat to us. Sept. 7th spoke ship "George Washington", Capt. James Danell, eight days from Salem. There is nothing more cheering to the sailor on the pathless ocean, than meeting a ship direct from home or from the neighhorhood of his home. - Sept. 12th saw Cape Cod bearing N.W.bW., the wind blowing a brisk breeze from the S.W. It was about six o'clock in the morning when we first saw the land. At 10 Layward, the pilot came on board; his sad countenance forbade my asking him the usual question "How are all at nome"? I knew too well all were not well. Soon, too soon, the painful intelligence was communicated, my dear, my only sister, I was never more to see. Never more. No, not never more, I shall again see her and all departed friends in a better and happier world than this. The shock, however, at the time was terrible, she was well when I left home and I had not heard of her illness. My dear, my much loved sister Frances, you did not meet me on my return and bid me welcome home, but you will meet me and bid me welcome to a far better home. I had the consolation to hear that my wife was well and my friends generally. A few hours after the pilot came on board, the ship was safely made fast alongside of the wharf; Col. Pearce, and his sons were on the wharf ready to bid me welcome. They expressed their kind sympathy for my affliction. My heart was too full, I could not converse about anything, so I handed Col. Pearce my accounts and hastened home. I found my wife anxiously looking for me; our joy was great, although sadly mingled with grief. I had met with a severe bereavement, yet, I had much 'to be thankful for, and as I never thought it wise to dwell too long upon the dark side, I resolved to put on a cheerful resignation, and hope for brighter days. My sister left an infant son to whom they gave the name of John Osborn. He is living, I hope. He sailed from Charleston, S.C. ahout two months ago, captain of the splended new ship Italy, bound to Liverpool. He is part owner of the ship.