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we were going to clear a piece of the Ground for Indian Corn: our Seamen also had began their Gardens. Our Birds becoming scarce, we were forced to commence Foragers, and I assure you at the Relief we were not bad hands, at either Birds or Cabbages (The Head of the Palm tree) and returned from the Woods with our Loads on our Backs, with all the Sans Froid imaginable. We have great right to remember, with gratitude, the kinds of good friends Major Ross (the Governor) who spared no pains to make us comfortable in our situation, and was ever ready to serve us. He, poor unfortunate man, lost the most of his things, and indeed, all his comforts, and Papers, by our unfortunate Wreck. Since which he has lost upwards of £90 in Articles sent from England in the Guardian, & he bears it with surprising magnanimity.
My being on the Island so long, and having had an opportunity of perusing the accounts published by Stockdale of this "Paradise of Nature, this Empire of the East." I cannot let slip this opportunity of making a few Remarks, as the Opinions and Ideas of all Persons here are so very different from the Publication. This Island must be allowed, by every impartial Person, to be as rich, in soil and vegetation, as any part of the World: nothing has been yet planted but what has thrived in a surprising degree. Melons, and such other Fruit may be had all the year round, with very little Trouble. Corn of all kinds, and in short, everything grows in a most luxuriant manner. Its only spontaneous production, except a few Berry's in the Banana, which are few, but exceeding good, there are no Esculant [esculent] Herbs, or Flowers worthy