freinds and Intrest, And many Hundreds are sterving for want of employ- ment, and many good people are begging.
Tuesday, 25th. Having heard last night that John Ross sloop was come from Zetland, I took a Boat this morning and went onboard her and seed him and Robert Irvine. And then I hade the happiness to hear that my wife and Childrein were all well on the 3d Inst it being the day they left Bressaysound.[1] The rest of this day I was employed in present- ing the Petition I hade drawn up on the 24th. Inst to severall Merchts and others and doing all I cou'd to get into business of some kind near home but all to no effect.
Wednesday, 26th. This day I being reduced to the last shilling I hade was obliged to engage to go to Virginia for four years as a school- laster for Bedd, Board, washing and five pound during the whole time. I lave also wrote my wife this day a particular Accot of every thing that as happned to me since I left her untill this date ; At 3 pm this day I went on board the Snow Planter Capt. Bowers Comr for Virginia now lying at Ratliff Cross, and imediatly as I came Onbd! I recd my Ham- mock and Bedding, at 4 pm came Alexr Steuart onbd the same Ship, he was Simbisters Servt[2] and had only left Zetland about three weeks before me. we were a good deall surprised to meet wt on another in this place.
Thursday, 27th. This day ranie weather, the ships crew imployed in rigging the ship under the Direction of the mate and I was imployed in getting my Hammock slung, at 2 pm came onbd Alexr Burnet nephew to Mr. Francis Farquharson writter in Edinburgh and one Samuel Mitch- ell a Cooper from Yorkshire and both entred into the berth and Mace[3] with Stewart and me.
Saturday, 29th. This day came on bd Alexr Kennedy a young man from Edinbr who hade been a Master Cooper there and a Glasgow Man by trade a Barber both which we took into our Mace, which compleated it being five Scotsmen and one Yorkshireman, and was always called the Scots mace, And the Capt told me he was from the Toun of Aberbothick in Scotland, but tht he [had] not been there since he was fifteen years of age but hade been always in the Virginia trade which I was verry glad to hear.
Monday, 31st. This day I went ashore and bought a penknife, a paper Book, and some paper and pens and came on board to Dinner. It is surprising to see the No of good tradesmen<r4> of all kinds, tht come onbd every day.
Friday, February 4th. This day at 7 AM unmoored from Ratliff- cross and fell down the river with the tide there being no wind. This day I seed Deptfoord, Greenage[4] Hospital!, Blackwall and Ullage.[5] at 1
