HOMEWARD BOUND. 841

thanks for their just dealings, and the offer of the 872 moidores
which was undisposed of ; which I desired might be given, 500 to
the monastery, and 372 to the poor as the prior should direct,
desiring the good padre’s prayers for me, and the like. I wrote
next a letter of thanks to my two trustees, with all the acknowledg-
ment that so much justice and honesty called for. As for sending
them any present, they were far above having any occasion of it.
Lastly, [ wrote to my partner, acknowledging his industry in the
improving the plantation, and his integrity in increasing the stock
of the works ; giving him instructions for his future government
of my part, according to the powers [ had left with my old patron,
to whom [ desired him to send whatever became due to me until
he should hear from me more particularly; assuring him that it
Was my intention, not only to come to him, but to settle myself
there for the remainder of my life. To this I added a very
handsome present of some Italian silks for his wife and two
daughters, for such the captain’s son informed me he had; with
two pieces of fine English broadcloth, the best I could get in
Lisbon, five pieces of black baize, and sume Flanders lace of a good
value,

Having thus settled my affairs, sold my cargo, and turned all
my effects into good bills of exchange, my next difficulty was
which way to go to England. I had been accustomed enough to
the sea, and yet I had a strange aversion to going to England by
sea at that time; and though I could give no reason for it, yet the
difficulties increased upon me so much that though I had once
shipped my baggage in order to go, yet I altered my mind, and
that not once, but two or three times.

It is true, I had been very unfortunate by sea, and this might
be some of the reason; but let no man slight the strong impulses
of his own thoughts in cases of such moment. Two of the ships
which I had singled out to go in; I mean, more particularly
singled out than any other, that is to say, so as in one of them to
put my things on board, and in the other to have agreed with the
captain; I say, two of these ships miscarried, namely, one was
taken by the Algerines, and the other was cast away on the Start
uear Torbay, and all the people drowned except three: so that in