the anchorage. On the 30th October, the Jackall, after recovering the anchor that had been left behind, and taking on board a supply of provisions and water, was again under way; and eleven days after we find her anchoring in Porto Praya Bay, where Mr. Sanders received additional instructions for his guidance, from Sir Erasmus Gower, who had sailed from thence only two days previous to his arrival.
The island of St. Jago was at this period in an absolute state of famine. Little or no rain had fallen there for about three years before. The rivers were, almost all, entirely dry. The surface of the earth was, in general, destitute of herbage. The greatest part of the cattle had already perished, not less through drought than want of food; many of the inhabitants had migrated, and many died through hunger. Under those calamitous circumstances, the license contained in Sir Erasmus Gower’s letter, to make a reasonable tarry in Porto Praya Bay, for the purpose of refreshing his little crew, only served to excite discontent; and it was not without having recourse to strong measures that Mr. Sanders could induce them to prosecute their voyage.
From St. Jago to the Straits of Sunda, the Jackall only experienced one heavy gale of wind. It took place to the eastward of Madagascar, blowing violently in all directions, and occasioning an uncommonly confused sea, attended with incessant rain, loud peals of thunder, and lightning of the most awful description. There was, however, a very great swell from the S.W. during the whole passage, and frequently without any apparent cause. On the 13th Feb. 1793, Mr. Sanders made the island of St. Paul; and on the 23d of the following month he had the happiness of joining his commander at the appointed rendezvous, after a painful separation of nearly six months.
The following is an extract from Sir George Staunton’s “Account of the Embassy,” a work to which we must refer our readers for a detail of the subsequent proceedings of Lord Macartney and those in his train:–
