about a week for New Bedford, and that the money could be sent by her. I had now fully made up my mind to re-enter, and so, with others, wrote my name in full, and felt as big and grand as though I were an officer.
The next day the purser gave me a paper on which was written the following:
U. S. Ship Vincennes, Honolulu, May 7th, 1841.
I have charged to Charlie Erskine, ord’y seaman, One Hundred Dollars, to be sent per order to F. D. Quincy, Esq., of Boston, for his mother, which sum is to be repaid to C. Erskine in case it should not be received, by R. R. Waldron, purser.
My First Letter.
"the Sandwich Islands year 1841.
on board of ship Vincens
Mother, Mother, Dear Mother,
while fair away a cruseing amoung the islands of the sea, I never, Oh no Dear mother, I never, never will forget to think of the. by going to Mr. F. D. Quincy 25 Commercial Street You will get one hundred dollars from
Your absent son Charlie."
When I re-entered, and signed the ship’s articles, I was paid three months’ wages and twelve dollars grog money. During the day all the foreign consuls, missionaries, and many of the residents visited the ship. A young English naturalist wanted to match a beautiful orange-colored cowry shell. I had its mate, and he gave me ten dollars for it, and twenty dollars for a head of tortoise-shell.
