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it became my duty to take the most secure way for the good of the Voyage, I therefore made my mind up on the first being the only one eligible, and no doubt of it being successfull. -
From these considerations I bore away on the 22d April and I repassed Staten Land the next day, to the joy of all hands. - when I bore away I was in latd 58º: 31S and Long 70º:7' West about 70 leagues to the westd of Cape St John. [Argentina]
I might still have kept lying to & and have drifted this distance but in that case every week so lost would have been equal to double the time. -
Notwithstanding I have failed in getting round Cape Horn it is certainly a safe and eligible passage to the South Sea, and I would be answerable for ships getting round, that were there in the month of Feby, but when winter sets in it is a horrid tempestuous place to struggle with. -
The weather has been very bad since I have been here but now it is become settled and we are getting well on with the Duty of the Ship. The 20th will be nearly the time of my sailing. -
Nelson & his assistant are very well and are away constantly from the ship in search of plants