island.

That Fernando Po must always be liable to considerable atmospheric
changes, and become, at particular seasons, very unhealthy, there cannot
be a doubt: but that is invariably the case in all low situations within
the tropics, on the west coast of Africa, where the decomposition of
animal and vegetable matter is so rapid in its progress. But the insular
situation of Fernando Po, with its many local advantages and
peculiarities, may ultimately have the effect of diminishing the
production of miasmata, or at least of correcting their deleterious
qualities, and preventing such immense and dangerous accumulations, as
have on the adjacent continent produced so great a loss of European
life.

_Wednesday, 4_.--At daylight we cast off the Agnes' long-boat, leaving
her to prosecute her voyage up the Calabar to her own ship, while we
stood to the eastward.

_Thursday, 5_.--Unsettled weather. In the afternoon we anchored off the
mouth of the Camaroon river, where Lieutenant Badgeley and Mr. Wood
went, in separate boats, to examine the river, for slave-vessels.

_Saturday, 7_.--Soon after daylight this morning our boats returned,
reporting that there was a Brazilian brig, at anchor, some distance up
the Camaroon river, waiting for a cargo of slaves; and a Brazilian
schooner at the Island of Bimbia, near the entrance of the river, on the
same service. At noon we got under weigh, and stood to the southward.

_Wednesday, 11_.--Lat. 2 deg. 4'. N. Wind from S.S.W. to W.S.W. Tacked and
sounded occasionally, working up to Prince's Island, and also in chase
of a brigantine.

_Thursday, 12_.--At 10 in the forenoon we tacked to the southward in
hopes of falling in with the brigantine, which we supposed had stood
toward the land in the night, and at noon our expectations were
realized: we also saw her in a more favourable point for pursuit, she
being a little under our lee. Finding that she could not escape us, she
put a good face on the matter, and continued to stand towards us.
Between one and two o'clock we sent a boat's-crew on board to examine
her. She proved to be the Emprendadora, a Spanish brigantine from the
Havannah, well armed, mounting one long eighteen-pounder on a swivel,
and four 12 lb. carronades, and having thirty-two persons on board. Her
outfit and general appearance were extremely suspicious, for she had not
only a slave-deck, with irons, &c., but also two slaves, secreted in the
forehold, from whom we lear