had been but in a weak condition, about this time was
taken ill in consequence of a cold caused by imprudently leaving off warm
clothing.

To secure our arrival at Batavia before the October fleet sailed for
Europe I gave public notice of my intention to hire a vessel to carry us
to Batavia. In consequence of this notice several offers were made but
none that I thought reasonable; which determined me to purchase a small
schooner in the road, that was 34 feet long, for which I gave 1000
rix-dollars and fitted her for sea under the name of His Majesty's
schooner Resource. As the coast of Java is frequently infested with small
piratical vessels it was necessary that we should be provided with the
proper means of defence. In this I was assisted by the friendship of Mr.
Wanjon who supplied me with four brass swivels, 14 stand of small arms,
and ammunition, which he obligingly let me have as a loan to be returned
at Batavia.

July 20.

On the 20th of July I had the misfortune to lose Mr. David Nelson: he
died of an inflammatory fever. The loss of this honest man I very much
lamented: he had with great care and diligence attended to the object for
which he was sent, and had always been ready to forward every plan that
was proposed, for the good of the service in which we were engaged. He
was not less useful in our voyage hither, in the course of which he gave
me great satisfaction, by the patience and fortitude with which he
conducted himself.

July 21.

This day I was employed attending the funeral of Mr. Nelson. The corpse
was carried by twelve soldiers dressed in black preceded by the minister;
next followed myself and the second governor; then ten gentlemen of the
town and the officers of the ships in the harbour; and after them my own
officers and people.

After reading our burial-service the body was interred behind the chapel,
in the burying-ground appropriated to the Europeans of the town. I was
sorry I could get no tombstone to place over his remains.

This was the second voyage Mr. Nelson had undertaken to the South Seas,
having been sent out by Sir Joseph Banks to collect plants, seeds, etc.
in Captain Cook's last voyage. And now, after surmounting so many
difficulties, and in the midst of thankfulness for his deliverance, he
was called upon to pay the debt of nature at a time least expected.

August 20.

Our schooner being victualled and ready for sea, on the 20th of August I
took an affectionate leave