Old family; or, The Setons of Scotland and America

a.D. 1818] MIDSHIPMAN SETON. 557
the Pacific two years, visiting all the important cities on the western coast of
North and South America, together with the islands visited by Captain
Porter, where we will see savage life in its true state. It will be, in fact,
one of the most interesting voyages ever made from this country. I long to
hear that you have perfectly recovered from your late illness ; if not, do,
dearest mother, let me know it, and I will use every endeavor to come to
you. It would be a great satisfaction to me, indeed, to pass a little time
with you before so long a voyage. The ship will not sail before the last of
September or the beginning of October, in order to meet the season for
doubling the Cape ; some say she will not sail till November. Charles
Wilkes and several of my friends from the Independence have just been
ordered to the Guerrikre, which is expected to sail to-morrow, and several
others to this ship. I am quite comfortable here, living in the wardroom of
the Java until our ship is ready to receive us. If Andreuze returns, remem-
ber me affectionately to him, and also to all my friends, particularly to Mr.
Dubois, Mr. Brute, and Michael Egan."
"Boston, August 29th, 1818.
" My Dearest Mother, — I should have written sooner, but we have had
a very busy time of it fitting out ship. Now we have hauled her out into the
stream and are almost ready for sea, wanting only our powder (of which we
take one hundred and sixty barrels) and some small articles which we take
on board in the course of next week, when we shall drop down near the
Light and wait for sailing orders, which the officers think we shall receive in
two or three weeks. The .Macedonian is a most beautiful frigate, pierced for
fifty (carrying forty-eight) guns ; more completely and handsomely fitted
out than any ship that ever sailed from this or perhaps any other country.
She has thirty midshipmen and eight lieutenants, all clever fellows ; our
captain, a fine man, the same who was first-lieutenant of Captain Porter in
the cruise of the Essex. Oh, my beloved mother, if God spares me to see
you after my cruise, what a happy moment I anticipate ! But, alas ! it is
so far off ; and to think that I leave you unwell will cause me to quit port
with a heavy heart ; but He who directs all will bring this voyage to a happy
end, and me to your dear arms. Tell Kitty to write me a long letter before
I go, it will be such a time before I shall hear from you after we sail.
Bishop Cheverus, I suppose, has written you ; at least he said he would, the
last time I saw him. Doctor Matignon is dying."
" U.S. Ship Macedonian, BOSTON,
"Sept. iSth, 1S18.
" My Dearest Mother, — I received yesterday your dear letter just as the
ship was preparing to get under way ; all hands called to send up top-gallant
yards, and unmoor ship, a stiff breeze blowing. Before night I must bid
adieu to the United States. I think the most proper place to direct your
letters will be to Valparaiso, in the province of Chili.