Passed a very good night, the sea placid, but little wind and that
adverse. The wind rising but in no better direction. Played another game
with Mr. Seaton, he giving me a Knight, still unsuccessful. Had a slight
headache, the atmosphere feeling very damp. Saw one of Mother Carey's
chickens or petrel of the ocean; it resembles a swallow and followed us
some distance picking up some crumbs of bread thrown to it by the
Captain.
The Mate says 28 days the shortest passage he ever made to America. At
dinner a warm discussion on the Duke of Newcastle doing "what he liked
with his own"; also the advantage of colonies, also the large military
and naval expenses. After dinner we fell in with a ship from Vera Cruz
to Bordeaux. The wind fair for the first time since we sailed. This
evening played another game with the Captain and lost. Went on deck and
heard two songs.