the island of St Catharines; for, as this last
place has been generally recommended as the most eligible place for
our cruizers to refresh at when bound to the South Sea, I believed it
to be my duty to instruct my countrymen in the hitherto unsuspected
inconveniences which attend that place. And, as the Brazilian gold and
diamonds are subjects of novelty, of which very few particulars have
hitherto been published, I considered that the account I have been
able to collect respecting them might not be regarded either a
trifling or useless digression.

When we first arrived at St Catharines, we were employed in refreshing
our sick on shore, in wooding and watering the squadron, in cleaning
our ships, and in examining and securing our masts and rigging, as
formerly mentioned. At the same time Mr Anson gave orders that the
ships companies should be supplied with fresh meat, and have a full
allowance of all kinds of provisions. In consequence of these orders
we had fresh meat sent on board continually for our daily expenditure;
and every thing else that was wanting to make up our allowances, was
received from the Anna Pink, our victualler, in order to preserve the
provisions on board the ships of the squadron as entire as possible
for future service. As the season of the year grew every day less
favourable for our passage round Cape Horn, Mr Anson was very anxious
to leave St Catharines as soon as possible, and we were at first in
hopes that all our business would be concluded, and we should be in
readiness to sail, in about a fortnight from our arrival; but, on
examining the masts of the Tryal, we found, to our no small vexation,
inevitable employment for twice that time; for, on a survey, her
main-mast was sprung at the upper woulding, though that was thought
capable of being secured by means of two fishes; but the fore-mast was
reported entirely unfit for service, on which the carpenters were sent
into the woods in search of a stick proper for a new foremast. After
a search of four days, nothing could be found fit for the purpose;
wherefore, on a new consultation, it was agreed to endeavour to secure
the mast by three fishes, in which work the carpenters were employed
till within a day or two of our departure. In the meantime, thinking
it necessary to have a clean vessel, on our arrival in the South Sea,
the commodore ordered the Tryal to be hove down, which occasioned
no loss of time, as it might be completed while the ca