Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/71

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were none who seemed to see and acknowledge the hand of Omnipotence.

Now, 120 miles from the city; spoke a schooner, 26 days from North Carolina, and in distress for provisions, yet only bound to Savannah, about 400 miles from her starting.

22nd.—After safely passing Cape Fear, again greeted with the blessed sound of Land, O; and saw the beautiful isles round Charleston where I arrived at six, on the evening of this day; so finishing a passage of 112 days, the longest, perhaps, ever known between London and this city. {41} Presented my kind introductory letter from Mr. W. Gray to Messrs. Prescot and Bishop, two eastern gentlemen, who politely introduced me to Mr. Bird, landlord of the Planters' hotel, where I became immediately acquainted with the high-minded General Young Blood, then boarding at this house, and on a visit to the city, to meet his excellency the governor, and also the president of the United States, who, on the morrow, was expected to make his entry here.[10] The general and I became very friendly, and held a long and interesting conversation, and that without a formal introduction, which is generally held to be indispensable amongst almost all ranks in this country. In our politics, foreign and domestic, we seemed one. At nine this evening, I plunged into a warm bath to wash off all marine impurities, paying for it half a dollar. I was then introduced by Mr. Bishop, to the grand hall, where his excellency is to dine in public next week, with all the grandees of this aristocratical state. During my walk to and fro, and on my landing, I felt immediately impressed with the respectable, happy,