Mar 17, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 19, 1789
Revised Jun 30 2021
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Light Winds with Calms and fair Wr. Wind NEly. Thermr. 79½° to 84°. Employed about the Rigging and Caulking the Starboard Side. Armourer at the Forge. Sailmakers and Cooper employed respectively. Sick List as yesterday. Supplies not so plentifull as they have usually been.
I now find that altho we still see many Hogs yet they are reluctantly parted with, this induces me to beleive I could not get a great many more from these districts provided I was under the necessity of Staying much longer. Breadfruit, Plantains and Cocoanutts we have plenty of. The fine Apple called the Vee are now just in season, there must be however other seasons for this fruit either from situation or habit, for when I first arrived we had great numbers of them. This is not the Case with the other apple called the Ay,yah the season for it being only once a year.
It is a matter of certainty to me that the Breadfruit bears all the year round, and that altho there are times scarcer than others, yet the inhabitants are never totally without them. Mahie has been always plenty and we can now buy a Hhd full for two Small Toeys.
The weather now has turned favorable for Astronomical observations, which as it has not been the Case hitherto, there remains a great deal for me to do and which now will occupy most of my time. I now find we are subject to more petty thefts than we have hitherto, but it is to be expected when a ship is near the time of sailing. It amounts however to no other articles than such as are carelessly about. I cannot therefore blame the Indians for it, as I am perfectly certain that had the ship been lying in the River Thames, a hundred times as much would have been Stolen in the same time.
Tynah continues my constant friend and Guest, and with the whole family we are on the most friendly and esteemed footing. The Plants continue to improve, and I hope to get them on board in the course of the month.
Mar 17, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 19, 1789