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May 1861 May 1st Frank Leslie’s papers This morning holystoned all decks, scrubbed paint work. Got out all boats, unbent all the light sails, spread the awnings, flemished down all the rigging, and at 8 a.m. piped to breakfast; it is a delightful day. All hands are dressed in white frocks, hats, and blue trousers. The ship is full of pictorial papers, principally Frank Leslie’s, and they are a rich treat. They illustrate all that is going on at home, about secession, the Prince of Wales and several other important topics. At sundown hammocks were served out so as to scrub them in the morning. The young Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) visited Canada and the United States from July to October 1860, being feted and admired wherever he went—including a ball in New York, three days at the Buchanan White House, and a visit to Washington’s tomb. All of the prince’s doings were covered in the newspapers and in heavily illustrated detail in Leslie’s and Harper’s. May 2nd All hands scrubbed hammocks. It is a very fine day. My boatkeeping day. At 10 a.m. the gig went after fish for the captain. At 5 p.m. the U.S. Sloop of war Portsmouth came in here and dropped anchor. At sundown all hands swung clean hammocks. May 3d, 1861 expecting the mail This morning all hands washed clothes. We then got a supply of bread from the store ship; it is very good bread. At 3 p.m. the gig went ashore with the captain’s steward and had a run until sundown. We expect to get the English mail tomorrow from Fernando Po; The U.S. Gun Boat Mystic is to bring it. Our Flag officer expects some important news by it. I wrote a letter to M.L.M. May 1861 279 May 4th our men to work on board the Store Ship Relief/ Sailing of the Flora This morning all decks were holystoned. At 9 a.m. the gig went after fish for the captain and returned at 10 a.m. Forty of our men are sent every day to work on board the store ship Relief. At 2 p.m. the U.S. Steam Frigate San Jacinto was signalized as coming by the telegraph on the fort. I have been very busy this last two days in answering letters that I got from home. At 4 p.m. the San Jacinto came to an anchor. She has been to Fish Bay. At 6 p.m. the famous American ship Flora sailed from here for the Chincha Islands. At sundown we went on board the San Jacinto and returned at half past 6 p.m. May 5th General Muster and reading the Articles of War/ an Absconder Visiting/Nightingale caught at last/ the Captain and Supercargo escaped/a boasting captain Sunday and it is a beautiful day, the hands very busy getting ready for the usual inspection. At half past 9 a.m. the divisions were called to quarters for inspection. At 10 a.m. all hands were called to muster. The Articles of War were read by the 1st lieutenant, we then mustered round the capstan according to our rates. We then had divine service on the gun deck. There is quite an excitement both ashore and aboard the ship, on account of one of the firm Silva & Leandro having absconded with a large amount of money. Mr. Silva being in the interior, on business for the firm. It was their intention to give up the business as soon as they could settle their affairs. The absconder went last night in the American ship Flora, which vessel touches in at Callao on her voyage. He did considerable business with our squadron in furnishing us with stores. It is one of the largest firms in St. Paul de Loando. In the afternoon the men went visiting the other ships, and their men are on board of us. At 2 p.m. the U.S. Sloop of war Saratoga was signalized coming in; at 4 p.m. she came to an anchor. ********************************* Arrival of the U.S. Sloop of War Saratoga, having captured the Famous Clipper Ship Nightingale, of Boston with almost a thousand niggers in her. ********************************* The accounts of the capture as near as I could learn are these: on the 20th of April the Saratoga went into Kabenda Bay to water ship, the Nightingale being...

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