Brig _Active_, August 13, 1832.
THIS day week, I forwarded to you by the ship _Science_, Greenock, three
letters, written at different times during our voyage. After reading my
third it seemed so vapid and uninteresting that I determined to
discontinue my journal, and, of course, my extracts from it; for, though
many things seem interesting to us in our isolated and pent-up situation,
yet, when soberly reviewed, they amount to a mere nothing. As, however,
we are now approaching the shore, I am desirous of having a letter nearly
finished that I may forward it as soon as possible after our arrival,
should it please God to permit us to reach the much longed-for shore.
The last week has been one of much anxiety and perplexity to most of the
passengers. The ship we spoke with told us we were out in our reckoning,
and this communication proved but too true. We thought we were within
200 miles of land, but it then appeared we were distant between 500 and
600. Our provisions and our water had already begun to fail, and many on
board had been reduced to very short allowance. Judge, then, of the
feelings which prevailed when our actual distance was ascertained. The
_Science_, indeed, spared us half a barrel of flour, but what was this
for our increasing necessities? The privations, therefore, have daily
become greater, and, to such a degree has murmuring and dissatisfaction
prevailed, that a mutiny by many is daily expected. The Lord, however,
is in this, as in everything else, the all-sufficient God, and he will
still continue to protect and to bless us. And, indeed, since I last
wrote to you, we have had many and most striking instances of his
watchful and paternal care. On one occasion we were exposed to the most
terrific storm of thunder and lightning, which we had ever witnessed, and
its nearness was so great, that we appeared in immediate danger of being
shattered to pieces. Upon the most accurate calculation, it was at one
time only a quarter of a mile distant, and if it had actually passed over
our vessel, loaded so extensively with iron, the consequences would, in
all probability, have been fatal to us all. During the last week we fell
in with the fog, and one of the West India Island hurricanes, terrific
and awful beyond previous conception: it must be witnessed to be fully
understood. Towards its close I ventured upon deck, and truly thankful
was I to learn that no damage had been sustained, no mast shattered, not
a single leak sprung. Some, indeed, attributed this to the tightness and
excellence of our fine little vessel, overlooking the goodness and
faithfulness of our God. Ah, how it grieves me to the heart to see the
loving-kindness of our God so generally lavished upon us in vain! But
the confinement of a ship calls into exercise almost every latent quality
of the mind; the secrets of hearts are indeed most fully revealed, though
the exhibition is by no means gratifying. In many respects, however, it
is useful, and I feel very thankful for it as it regards our little
party. Habits and dispositions have unfolded of which I had scarcely the
least idea, but which discovery will materially influence me as to the
steps which should be taken in reference to my future movements and the
eventual disposal of my children. We are now, I believe, about 100 miles
from land, and it is well that we are no more; for most of our comforts
have failed us in the cabin, and we are brought under allowance as to
water, and they speak of this as to other provisions; so that we manage,
as you may suppose, but badly; and were we to continue much longer in our
present state, I fear that our health would materially and even
permanently suffer. But we make the most of what remains, and keep
cheering ourselves with the hope that it will not be for long: the wind,
however, is far from favourable, and we proceed with great slowness.
Nine weeks to-day have we been out at sea—I should rather say, since we
set sail—and few calculated upon a longer time than five or six weeks; so
that it is not surprising many among us are beginning to suffer. But, as
I mentioned, hope sustains us, and the God of love and mercy will, in his
own good time, extricate us out of all our troubles.
Delaware River, August, 1832.
WE are at length, dearest Mary, through the good providence of God,
brought about midway up the river on which the city of Philadelphia
stands; but, in consequence of the cholera still prevailing there, we
shall be obliged to perform a short quarantine of two or three days in a
place about twelve miles on this side of it, and after that we may
possibly be detained, previous to our passing the Custom House, for a day
or two longer. In less than a week, however, from the present time we
are hoping to proceed to New York, and thence on our Canada journey.
Like the great Apostle we should thank God and take courage. Many have
been his tender mercies towards us, and I feel a calm and blessed power
to resign all the future into his hands. We have just passed a most
beautiful village (Newcastle), built completely in the English style; but
everything now is so fresh and novel that we view it with tenfold
interest. We are all, thank God, in very good health, and the cholera
has considerably abated at New York. I should hope we are running no
risk in proceeding in our intended line, and, indeed, no prudence would
be any sufficient safeguard, for I hear that it has spread to very many
of the surrounding places, and therefore there is no possibility of
getting entirely out of its way; but that God, who directed our steps
through the United States, will, I am confident, preserve us. I have
been reading twice with great attention a small work of Dr. Granville,
which has thrown great light upon my mind, both as to the origin,
treatment, and prevention of the disease. It was given by Mr. Grant to
Arthur, and I consider it quite providential that it was thrown in my
way.
Philadelphia, August 22.
AND so, my Mary, through the mercy of my God, we are brought at length to
the long-wished-for shore, and the thrilling feelings of pleasure which
we experienced as we stepped once more on land were half delirious—it
seemed scarcely a reality. In a short time, however, the delirium of joy
subsided into a most delightful state of peaceful gratitude. We came
here yesterday afternoon, and soon began to reconnoitre; passing from
street to street in rapid succession, and for the first time since I left
England I was thoroughly tired, but at the cost of my poor bleeding toes,
which were so sore that I could hardly put on my shoes, but on they went,
and a little after five I awoke our party to proceed on fresh adventures.
The first exploit was in the captain’s boat, which he kindly lent to us,
and a fine rowing we had across the Delaware to a small island near the
State of New Jersey, where three of the young people enjoyed a most
delightful bath. On our return to breakfast such a scene of rapacity was
exhibited as would have astonished even an indulgent and ever apologetic
mother. The captain had previously talked of a good blowing out, but now
we experienced it. Your half-famished eldest son has, I think, taken
precedence, but we were none of us far behind him, with such relish did
we apply to the abundant and novel and delicious fare which was set
before us.