/ 
 
 mm (1776-79) \m\r' 
 
 OP 
 
 urn, AimwjutH oouHiL u 
 
 Arent Schuyler de Peyster, 
 
 BoBN 27th Junk, 1736, at New York, U. S. A. 
 
 Died N ovember, 1832 (? 1823), at Dum| 
 
 FRiBB, Scotland, and buried with 
 
 OBEAT HONOR IN THE CHURCH- 
 
 ^ YARD OF St. Michaels, 
 
 IN THAT TOWN; 
 ALSO, 
 
 DETAILS or THE DISCOVERY 
 
 r OF TBI 
 
 EUice and de Peyster Islands 
 
 IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN, IN MAY, 1819, 
 
 BY 
 
 ARENT SCHUYLER DE PEYSTER, 
 
 NEPHEW OHOOIjONEL A. S. deP., 
 
 Born 4th April, 1779, DiedT"™^ 1863, at New York ; 
 
 the former the grandson, the latter the great grandson, of 
 
 de Heer Abraham de Peyster, Sr., 
 
 the Confidant ot the noble Bcllomont, the Friend of William Penn, 
 the Defender of the memory of the martj-fed Leister, and the 
 Advocate "of tti^ ri^'tits of th'e reci)le;»Al6erinrn T6H5 and 
 Mayor \<^^ -4 of >ew Y;ork ; Mem Ser'oi' the K . ng's O'^un- 
 cll, 1698-1702, etc. ; Acting Governor of the I'rovincc 
 of ^ifew '/o'lf , 1700 ; Troafl^iror of 1 ho I rovlnces , 
 of N^vyorh And Mew Jeifeey, 170n-175sl; 
 (succeeded in ofSce by his uon abH grand- 
 son) ; Assistant Justice of the Su- 
 preme Court, 1608, etc. ; and 
 Chief Justice of the 
 same, 1609, etc. ; 
 
 Colonel of the Regiment of Mlllttn (1 Troop of Horse and 8 Oompanies 
 of Foot) of the City and County of New York, 1700, etc. 
 
 ( His brother Johannes commanded the Cavalry and another brother, 
 Coinolis de Peyster, the 6th Company of Infantry) etc. 
 

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roPIKS AND TRANSLATIONS 
 
 OP OIIDERS AND DIHECTIONS OF 
 
 AUENT SCHUYLER dePKYSTER, 
 
 MAJOR 8TII on KINCi's FOOT, 1770-9, GOVERNOU OP 
 MrCIIir.lMACQUENAC AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, ETC. 
 
 Mil. Wn.MA.M IvEiiHY, Assistant ]/ibrarian, N. Y. 
 Historical Society, furnishes the Ibllowin^ references f.om 
 works ill its collection. 
 
 li.vNMAN's, Iliston/ of Michigan, paj^es 139, 140. 
 
 I IjVNMAN would lead his readers to suppose that DE- 
 Pevsteh was a hot-he.'uled despot in cuttiuff up thti 
 Iti'lts. This was Lt. Gov, Hamilton's and not Muj. 
 dePeysteu's character. The two ollicials are con- 
 founded. Maj. dePeysteu was a very gentle Christiaw 
 gentleman.] 
 
 Heckeweldeh's iV^«/vv/ft>^, pages 2:39, 280, 291 to 297, 
 y32 to ;{;}7, 343,* 34(1, 34H. 3.">o. 
 
 ]< )SKiEii's Hmtort/ of the MimtDii^, Part HI., pajjes 
 114*» 133. 150, 153,"l«3 to 108, 172, 18?, 1«0,*»* 191, 193. 
 (303) 200.**** (205). 
 
 [** 107, dePeysteii in this case did nothing but 
 wiint his duty reiiuired. 
 
 1(H. '■ The Governor approved himself as a servant 
 of (Jnd." 
 
 *** 190, Maj. dePet.steii pavo a tract of land to the 
 Christian Indians, thirty miles from JJetroit, where they 
 formed a settlement under his protection. Tliey had 
 hitherto been between two fires, as it were, the Whiga 
 (Uebels) and Tories (Britisii and Indians attached to 
 Royal cause), dkPeystek saved them.] 
 
 **^* " Toward the end of May, 17S4, the Governor of 
 Detroit, now Colonel dePkystek, removed to Niagara, 
 and both the missionaries and the beli»iving Indians 
 sincerely regrettt^d tlui loss of this humane man, their 
 kind friend and benefactor." 
 
 l^r-.iiiHjili'nuiit Airhiiy.s, vol. x.. pages 80 to 90. 
 
 Ei'iiUM.M l)ot-(U,As ^> the ticcrdavy of War, August 
 IS. 17H3. 
 
 MoUdAN's (h.lcbratcd ('•(iindidiiH, paye 100. 
 
 lli4oric((l Record of the Hth, or Kinrfit lie'jimcnt of 
 Vont , page 00. 
 
 Mo II mil if the Coin mull Couiiril (f Xein York, IHOt. 
 
 2il Ivlition. " The dePevstek Family in, ronnertion 
 with t'l- Co/niiiii'. J/intiri/ 'f yew Vor/i," 'pages 550- 
 ')7(\.) |5TI til 575 — compar" " the WaltsdePj'vster (Jeu- 
 ealogii'.il lii'ferences' bv .1. \V. d<d'. Pages ' 7, 8 to 10, 
 239-R 210.| 
 
coi'v OF Fiu:N("n oim(j:na:s. 
 
 A Mi>\.;rKtii. no. i. {''">py.) 
 
 M<>x«iiu:u IiA\{i:,Ai)i:: (1) oiiuuKs. 
 
 MoNsiF.ru : 
 
 Vims iifk-iidcn!/, li? commandt'ment des p«uvnjri'H «!•» 
 ••t'tt(( )>()Si,^ (|ui coiisistc (U'sCJt^ns <li3 i)liiaii'iirs nations ct 
 (|iml(|ues voliintuirt's Canafliens avi-r (]ui vons ])()ursiii 
 vfiv/. votni route pour vous joindn^ iiti siirinUMidunt (Us 
 iiftiiiie saiiva;x(! dans 1(! vosinajjt' (In Montntal (2), on Itifii 
 rolHcicr (jui coinniandt-ra Ira troupes dii lioi dauA (nttM 
 (.^imrlii'r de (jui vous receverez dcs ordres alors. 
 
 Vous lerri"/. votro ])ospil)k' do nnire niiK /f«'l>Ir.s pnr- 
 tout ou vous Ics rcucDutcre/. et ea tout voiia conduipD avcc 
 vofiv prudeiK"! et liuinunitr> ordinaivcs. 
 
 A Micliiiinia(|U('nac, / 
 I.o 4 .lulifttf. 1T70. \ 
 
 I u^'"The very day of tlur Dinilarition of Indt'pondence. | 
 
 M). II. 
 (('<»!)y). 
 
 on DISKS : 
 Tout 'I'raitenr est ordonner dViubnnjncr deux ou trois 
 sauvairt'S sur hnir Cnnots en ci's (jim Messrs. Ijiiujrhulo 
 et (faultier n'ayniit ])as a^s"' deCanots ])our les aiiiner ii 
 ee ]) )Ste, pour li^ service^ dil J?ov ; Moiis. Ijanylade les 
 t')!iriiis.'«uiU des Vivres. 
 
 l>oiiiie au Fort de Mieliilimaiiuenne, 
 iOili May, 17TK 
 
 At. S. ok Pkystkii, 
 [t,. s 1 Major (-louiuaiidimt. 
 
 NO. I If. 
 
 ^MKssiKfltH : (<'oi)y ) 
 
 Far It! i)ouV(>tr (|ui m'a ete donn' ]>'ir son Hxci-lleiuut 
 ^^^ (lencraie Hal iiiiuiiid, Connnand't en C'lief les .Arinee.M 
 de Ha Majeste li.i Hoy (de) 1 1 (Jrand Uretajj^no en Canada, 
 etc., etc., etc. 
 
 I)tf fdire tout dans mon pouvoir ])riur assister le I/uuit. 
 (Joveriieur llainiUon (iJ) dans tout ciis enterjirises contre 
 les Rebelles, atcouie J'ay appris par lettriMlu Lieut. (Jouv- 
 eueur (]\ril est aller delooer les Ueb.lles des Illinois nie 
 l)rie de lui doimer assistance : U voU'^ est ordonne par 
 ces presentt^s de jjartir (et) tacher de iover les nations ; 
 Monsieur lianjrlade (hspuis la (Jrand lliviere, ius(|ua St. 
 .lo.sephe, ou wuit lea ('oni't Ot'cilUK et les (imttcdu.v (Smi- 
 tniitx'i) (4) les fuisant assembler a St. Josephe sans perti.' 
 iU' temps. 
 
 Monsieur (Jautier ira droit a St. Jo»eplie(i"))las'addres- 
 snnt Mons. Fouison I'lievallier. pour lui re(]nerird*assister 
 Monsieur Aiiise en fait d'asHeinl)ler lea P(ii'tiiiiiit.niiii.if 
 |)jndant que lui (lauthier faire son iK)asibl«! pour avoir 
 Jntelli^i'iicc! du situation de Monsieur Hamilton de la 
 (pielle faiaant son report a Monsitnir lixnjflade. Ih 
 fairout leur pf)ssible de lui joindre par le cliemin le plu > 
 o.irt, o'.i de decjiidro la r'.viere des Iliiuoi)^ si il est jio*- 
 
5 
 
 Hiblf, et niiciix portt' pour 8;r()n(U'r Ii-s oiu mliims (l»i 
 Mo.ih'hmu' lliitiiiltoii. 
 
 CotmuH I'on n»! pent rcpondio <lt'S «'Vt'iu'iiients en 
 <'iis<iiio M(tn>i«mr Ihunilton I'st rcliic.lit' iit rt'toiirm' an 
 l)rtr(iil;aI()rBsi voiisiic vouscroyczpasjissezinrtdtMiiond*! 
 pDur fain^ coup siir Ich CiixkitkUtH, ou iiu ('ahokiitK : ((») 
 vous ivnverez l<;s puuvuj;c's dans Iciir Ilivfrru'iiinis ct 
 vous j^ajj^ncrez par lu cheniin lo plus court vos difti-ri'iits 
 
 pilKtS. 
 
 Monsieur Lanylado a La Hay (^7) ct Monsieur (uuilii-r 
 dans le Mississippi, la, taclii'r de teuir les nations biun dis 
 post's pi)ur 1(; SHPvic!? jus(ju'a, nouvellcs ordres. 
 
 Dans cet (Miter))rise II vous est recomniendc' dc; din^ an 
 ()iiTrit':« d'usser d'Humanitt' tMivers les ])risonit'rs er 
 luitrcs (pn pourront so tro\iver sans artnos coninie il y -a 
 bii'u descomnu'rciani* Anj^lais retenu do forces i)arinis — 
 
 Les i)ri8onier.-< geront pay*'. 
 
 Comme les nations en (leufral ont deja eu Iteaucmp 
 de presents de sa Majiste il vous est rt-conuuend<' ^.i^^ 
 i'aire aussi ])eu de I'rais (jue la nature du service perniet 
 tent en leurdonnent au<iun ciios'.ique uesoit absolunient 
 ntMressaire. 
 
 Donne au Fort MichiliMiaciucnuc, ce 
 
 aOni Octobre, 1T78. ■ 
 
 [r,. s.] At. S. n;: Pky.-h-kk, 
 
 A Monsr. le I'apitaine) Major du l?e<rt : du Hoy et ('mn- 
 Lanjjlade et le - nuxnd't du dit jtost et deiieii 
 
 Jiieut. Gautier. ) deuces. 
 
 xo. IV. 
 (Co-py). 
 
 LN'STUUCTIONS I'OIU MoNSlE. L.>N(iI.AI>E. 
 
 MuNsric'JU : 
 
 II vous est re(|uis jiour le biendu service de sa Mi)je.>»!e 
 de ])artir d'lci fair v(»tr<! ])ossible de Itfver les Uens de La 
 f(»urcl»e Milwaukie, les Puants (Indian tribe, Stinkards) 
 et autres bordant sur li; Lac Michigan et avec (!ux vous 
 depechez de joindre Monsr. Bennett a Chicatrou, ei t«i 
 (CiJ cas Alonsieur Bennett est passee en avant de lui 
 fiuivr(^ a (Irand ]ias. lui alejjfnant avant son arrive au 
 I'le (Foot of the LakeV) el de travail ler avec lui i)our 
 le biea du service conforme aux ordres qu'il tiennenl 
 do luoi. 
 
 Donne au Fort Mi(']iilinuikinac, 
 Iro Juliet, 177!), 
 [r,. B.] At. S. I)K PiasiKK, 
 
 TiiANs:,.VTi()Ns (IK Tin: .vuovK ()Ui>!:i;s, ktc. 
 
 To .Mk. no. I. 
 
 Mu. Lancu.aim; : o:!i)i:i:s. 
 
 Sii! : 
 
 Vtui are to ta' (^ ui>on you ill' conmiand ol tlie havay:('» 
 (Indians) altac'.ie.l to tliis [) *st, consistin;; of dtaacli- 
 
6 
 
 mcnts from Huveral nations (trihcs), with Home Cnnadinn 
 Voliinteern, and proceed witlj th«'m to join the Sajwrin- 
 t»'ndent of Indian Ht!<iir8 in tli« nt?iirlil»orliood of Mon- 
 treal, or tho commandinj; ofHcer of tlie Kinjr's troops in 
 that district, from wiiom you 'vill then receive further 
 «»rder8 ; Annoyinj; the Rebels wherever you meet witli 
 them, and in every thin<r conducting yourself with your 
 usual prudence and humanity. 
 At Michilmn(|uennc, 
 the 4di July, 1770. 
 
 [[^"The very day of the Declaration of Independence.] 
 
 OUDEH8 : NO. IT. 
 
 .Ml traders are ordered to fml)ark two or tliree savaffps 
 (Indians) on their ("anoes in cas»* that Messrs. Iiiin<r1adti 
 and Uaultier have not enoujrh Canoes to carry them to 
 this i)ost for tlio Kinjjr's service ; Mr. Langlade furnish- 
 iiiy them with provisioiiK. 
 
 (Jiven at the Fort of Micliilimaquenac, 
 lOlh May, 1778. 
 [t<. B.] At. S. pe Petster, 
 
 Major Commanding. 
 
 Siiis: NO. III. 
 
 In accordance* with the ])ower which has been given 
 to me by hia Excellency (leneral H.m.di.m.xm), Com- 
 mandingin-Chief the Annies of his Majesty the King 
 of (Ireat Britain, in Canada, etc , etc., «-tc. : 
 
 To do all in my jHiwer to Essist the I.ieut.(3over- 
 nor Hamilton in all his enterpris^es against the liebels, 
 and as I have learned by letter from the Lieut, (iover- 
 nor that he has gone to dislodge the Rebels of the Illinois, 
 and prays me to give him assistance: you are ordere(l 
 by these presents to go and try to arouse the (Indian) na- 
 tions ; Mr. Ij.\nol.\dk. from the <*rent Kiver(8) {Ottnicn (V) 
 la Qi'ditd Riviere) as fur as St. Joseph (St. Joseph e), 
 where the Short Ears (Court Oreillets) and tho Oantertvx 
 (\A'Si\sG\:», Santeuxf) are (located) causing them to as- 
 semble at St. Joseph {St Jonephe) without loss of time. 
 
 Mr. CJautieu will go straight to St. Joseph {8t. 
 Jonephe), there addressing himself to Mr. Louison Chev- 
 alier, to require him to assist Mr. Ainsk in assembling 
 the Pottawattamies (PoHtoxntnmies), while Gauthier 
 does his utmost to acqui''o iiitellifence of the situation 
 «»f Mr. Hamilton, making liis report thereof to Mr. La- 
 nglade. They shall do their utmost to join him by tho 
 sliortest rout(>, or to desci-nd the river of tho Illinois, if 
 it is poss ble, and if such a movement is better calcu- 
 lated to second the op(^rations of Mr. Hamilton. 
 
 As no one can be responsible for the events in case 
 that Mr. Ha.milton is released, and returned to the De- 
 troit ; then, if you do not think yourself strong enough 
 in men to make a decisive attack on the Caskakias, or ((5) 
 the Cahokias, (9) you will send tlie eavages to their Win- 
 ter (juarters, and you will regain your different posts by 
 the shortest routes. 
 
Mr. liANdi.ADK, lit '* 'I'lic M.iy," ami Mr. (iAi TiKit. in 
 the Mississippi ^ri^yjion), will try to kiit'|>tlR! nations wt-ll 
 dispDsud tor tiie strvict; until urw onhMs. 
 
 In this enterpris,! you ar.' rt'fomnn'nded to exhort tlm 
 ^Va^^io^s to uso huiuanity towards the prisoners, and 
 otliers wlio nuiy l»e found witliout arms, as there aro 
 many Kn<^lis!i merchants retained by torco anion^^ tlio 
 eiuMiiy. ■" * ""■ 
 
 The prisoners will be ransometl. 
 
 As tlie nations in «;en>.Mal have already had many 
 presents from his Maje.sty, y(»u are rerommended to in 
 nir us little expense as tlie nature of the service will 
 pi-rniit of, in giving them nothing whicli is not abso- 
 iaitely nee 'ssary. 
 
 (Jiven at Fort Miehilima(|uen:ic tliis 
 •ilJtii October, 1778. 
 1 1.. H ) At. S. !)i: IMcvsTKit. 
 
 Major ot the Ivintr's H«'gi , and 
 ('>>mmandant of the said post and 
 depeuileiicies. 
 To Mr. the Captnin liaiiiriade I 
 and tlie liieiu. iiautier. \ 
 
 M). IV. 
 I.NiriTia V riONS Kim Ml{. li.VNGI.ADE. 
 
 Sill : 
 
 Vou are reiiuired, for tlie good of the service of Ids 
 Majesty, to set out from this ])laeB to do your utmost to 
 levy tlie People of The Milwaukie Fork the Indian 
 Tribe, Sinkards ( I* i«i)itn), and otlieis bordering on Lake 
 Michigan, and with them hurry and join Mr. liKNMOTT 
 at Cdcauou, and if, in ease Mr. Bk>xktt lias gone far- 
 ther on. to fctllow him by forced marches, so as to over- 
 take him before his arrival at the Foot of the Lake (Z'tV), 
 and work with him for the good of the service, con- 
 formabh; to the orders he holds from me. 
 
 (liven at the Fort Michiliiuackinac, 
 1st July, 17;!). 
 
 |f,. s| " At. S. dk PEVSTMR. 
 
 KOTK.^. 
 
 (I). M: i)E LAN(5ii.\l)E was a Canadian gentleman 
 especially e.steemed by the Indians. He was Captain of 
 the Colonial tr.:ops under the French Dominion. Ho 
 had acquired a very great influence over the Indians in- 
 luibiting the ountry about Detroit and Michilimakinac. 
 Ill the SuimiuT of 17.")S». he led 200 warriors down Ut 
 Montreal for the defence of the French colonies against 
 
 \V()1,KK. 
 
 C-i). The chain of fortified jMists which the Engrlish oc- 
 cupied at this time to control the Indiansof the, then, far 
 West, comprised Forts Fnmtenar and Niasrara, at the 
 two extremities of Lake < tntario ; of Buttiilo, Pres<i"ile, the 
 island, formerly a ])eninsula. protecting tlie i)ort of 
 jiiie,; and ii^uudotilie .or fc^audui-fcy, <*j th<' >»(mtliern.ehorn 
 
of Iiiik(( Kric; of Dctr.)it, an 1 tlm Miaiiiis toward llie 
 \V«'8tern J'xtrcniity of tlm HatiH; lake ; of Micliiliniak- 
 inac and (in'en Bay (Ihile Vcrt^ or liftic lies I'luinta 
 ( HoixiiNS. 1:{()) (Stinkards, " Opossums " ) (tho nnniw of a 
 tribe Well known and thns recofjnized by the French) 
 on liBko Michigan ; l)ealde those on tlio Ohio, the 
 Wabasli. and the lUinois. 
 
 (:}). Hkn'UY Il.VMil/rox, Esrj'r, succeeded (lenernl IIai,- 
 DiMAM) as temporary (Jovernor in ITH."), but was soon, 
 next year, 1780, supen^eded by Culoufl Hope. 
 
 (4). These were branches of the Hnrons or Wyandots, 
 driven westward by tiie Iro(]Uois to the northern shores 
 I if Lake Superior, who settled first on the Island of St. 
 Joseph under the protection of the Ojibwaa. (inuteaux 
 must be a mistake and intended for Sautcnj' or SauUiux a 
 branch of thcOjibwasorChippewas, located on the Win- 
 nipeg, called tlie " Sauteur " by the French. Wliether 
 this term refers to t\w character of this river, full of 
 falls or rapids, or lumbliny water, or to the peculiar 
 boundinjr dances of tlie Indians, ie not settled. 
 
 (."»). The til. Joft'p/u' referred to was 40 miles from Micli- 
 iliniakinac. 
 
 (0). The •'CaaLfdinn" and " Cidiokuii*" were tribes (»f 
 
 the Illinois, and from them were namctl the two (irnt 
 
 settlements of the French in Illinois. {Hne Charlet'olr'n 
 
 Voi/df/e, Letters 28. Pag' 2i'!-'i^)-~HonomMe C. J. 
 
 W.UJiKH. IJi'ti'mt,0rAoln'T2\), 1H(57. 
 
 (7). "La Bute" was the settlement on (Jrek.n Bay 
 which was called " h'<n" den PikuiIh." The Pcants 
 were our Winnel.mgoes (See Suka's " Diarnvery of the, 
 MiMMisKippi," I*age 10 of MAiuirKTTtVs .Journal, lluiior- 
 ahle ('. .1. Wai.kkk, Detroit, October 2J), 1807. "La 
 Jhiie" •• The Boy " wi st end of Lake Superior, Lan- 
 man's maji. 
 
 (8). The St. Lawrence is f)ften <'alled La (irande 
 liiviere, but this must refer to \\\<.' O/trtira, which is still 
 known on the map as (Jrftntl Jlin r or the Otlaira, 
 l.'tawas. 
 
 " Lt. (Jov. IIamii.to.n (sometimes styled Col. IlA.Mir,- 
 TON), Imd gone with tronjis to Port \'incennes, and was 
 there, together with his olKcers, taken prieon"er by an 
 American army under (Jeneml Cr-AifKio, and by him 
 taken to Virginia." (IIkckkavki.dku's " J\'arrntife," 20'S.) 
 '•It was in February, 177fl." Tiiis Clahke was the 
 Virginian C'olXiKoii(»iJ Ko(?KUsCr-A]{KK. the ' Haniiibnlof 
 the Wetit.' Hamilton was at Ft^r^ .V. Vincent. He was 
 taken to Williamsburg, the original capital of Virginia, 
 near the battlefield of May 5, 180'3. so famous for tho 
 glorious conduct of Keawny and Hookek and tho Fed- 
 eral troops ])re8ent. It was on this occasion, February, 
 1779, it tookChAUKR, witli his " intre))id Spartan band," 
 " five days to cross the drowned lands of the W^abash, 
 having often to wade up to their breasts in water" — 
 " often v.pwards of two leagues," atlds Butjk, a feat 
 commemorated by a jiicture which is, or was in 1801, 
 hanging iu the oJlicc of the Sccretavy of War, at Wash- 
 
9 
 
 iny;t(»n. I). ('. — (IIowk's " Virjriiiiu UiMtorical Culh-c- 
 tioiiH," 11(5; IJriMv's •• N'irjrinia,'" iv, :MJ>-"J24.) 
 
 (5)). Tlicst) tribi'8 wert! two of the livo aubdivisiom of 
 tln! Illinois. Tho former belonged in the country 
 drain«'d by the Kaskaskia, tho latter in St. Clair Coun- 
 ty, Illinois, along the creek of the flame name, which 
 falls into tlie Mississippi from the East, about o miles 
 below St. Louis. The great Pontiac was murdered in 
 the territory of this tribe. Thus Major, afterward 
 Colonel, Akknt Sciiuvi.eu dkPeysteu, exercised juris- 
 diction from the Mississippi iri'»t, to the Ottawa east, 
 nnd from Lake Superior, north, to the Ohio, south, 800 by 
 700 miles, a j)retty extcn ive sphere of supervision even 
 for this day of ruilrouds and steaniboats. 
 
 lv\ TKACTS FROM THE LOU HOOKS " 
 
 KKPT BY 
 
 CAPTAIN AUEXT S. DE PEYSTEH, 
 
 ClVlNJi THE PETAILb OF lilS DISCUVEKY OK THE 
 
 ]JE rEYSTEIl AND OTIIEII ISLANDS IN 
 
 THE rACIFlC OCEAN, MAY, 1819. 
 
 TnunsDAY. 18th May, 1810. 
 
 Noon, Duke of York Island West — Northerly 120 
 mih-s. 
 
 FniDAY, 14th May, 1819. 
 
 At noon I was apprehenpive that either my Longitude 
 or that of Duke of Vorks Island was incorrect, as I was 
 by observation about 18 miles from it. Tho weather 
 beautiful. From tho nuisthead the trees were first dis- 
 covered, and after running 15 miles by Log, it bore N. 
 \V. by N. about ii iles ; at this distance it had the ap- 
 ])eaninre of sniull separate clumps of trees, and it 
 was only by going aloft any connection could be seen. 
 Had there been a commanding breeze, I should have ap- 
 jiroached nmch nearer, and ])robab]y got a supply of 
 c()coanuts, but being nearly calm, I judged it moft pru 
 dent to keep on. Tliis Ishmd c -rtainly is very danger 
 ous to a|)pronch in dark weather, or at night. 
 
 Variation 10 min. 13 sec. East. 
 
 Longitude, Chronometer 173 deg. 24. min 
 
 Acct 173 deg. 01 min 
 
 Latitude 8 deg. 37 min. South. 
 S.\TiHi)AY, l.>th May, 1819. 
 Plea.saut weather and brec/,*'. Enipioye<l cleaning 
 
to 
 
 Bliip. Saw ami pusrf(;J tliroiij^h sonic very strcnjr rlp- 
 
 L >iijj;itu(lo, Chronomot*^!" 17(5 dfff. 01 iiiin. 
 
 Acct 17.") (lejf. 27 mill. 
 
 Latltiiflc 8 (U-jx. 31 mill. South, 
 
 Si:m)ay, IGth May, IHIO. 
 Vleasant liree/./f and vcatlitr. Pnsm-d tliroiijfli a 
 
 Btron^ rippling, at lour o'clock , A. M. Perlbnncd Divim* 
 
 HiTvice at, 8 o'clock. 
 
 Iit)n<jiludo, C'lirononu'tcr and Lunar.s 17i) deg. 08 miii, 
 Acct 177 dejr. 53 min. 
 
 liatitudo 8 dojj. 'S2 nun. South. 
 
 M()M>AY. 17tli May. 181U. 
 
 IMt'as'iut breeze and weather, under all t^ail. At 3 houiH 
 a id 4.1 min. a. m., whilw under all sail the nuin at ilie 
 lielin discovered a low white sandy beach, to np]ieaniiic»* 
 a cable's lenfjth ahead. Hauled immi'diately to the 
 wind on the starboard tack, in Ktuddinjr sails, and I'oiv 
 tuiiately, 4 hours 30 mjnutes, just cleared the Land. 
 
 At 8 Hove to, to obtain the Latitude and Longitudw 
 of tlie Islands. 
 
 lionfjitude, Chronometer 181 dci'-. 
 
 Acct 179 dejL'. 34 min. 
 
 Latitude, 8 deg. 21 min. iroutli. 
 ki.i.U'k's (iHoi;p. 
 
 When the day broke I boro up and, standing to the 
 Southward and Westward about half an hour, the Innd 
 we had so miraculously escaped during the niylit ay:»iu 
 appeared. The cocoanut trees were the first olijects \\i\ 
 saw, then the low beach, and, on approaching within 4 
 miles, a large group of Islands, apparently connistintj- ot 
 14 in a circular direction and united by sand banks, 
 presented themselves. I have attempted from tlie 
 bearinffs and probable distances, lo delineate them in 
 jdan No. 1. I did not think myself justified in either 
 apiiroaching them nearer or waiting huiger than to 
 l)rocure to a certainty their Latitude and L •njritude, 
 the latter was certai: ly a duty I owed to every other 
 navigator, as wjdl as myself. Accordingly sit S o'clock 
 A. M. I hove to and remained until twelve. The loHow- 
 iiig is the result of my obsi rvations. 
 
 On the Kith inst. I had four sights of *\i ' Sun and 
 Moon, worked seperately, they gave at 'f.on on that 
 • lav, Long. : , • 
 
 17!) deg. 3. min. W.^ 
 
 175) deg. 8 min. ( Mean 170 deg. 8 min. 30 fccc. 
 
 175) deg. lo m n. l' Lunars. 
 1 7!) deg. 8 min. ( 
 
 Ciironometer — 
 
 -no I -II 1 i.» Mean 1 1!) deg. H mm .jO sec. 
 
 .,)0S — I (!) deg. 1 J mm. N 
 
 (.)n the J7tU tlw iwyoo ww no,t visible but at H oVViick 
 
11 
 
 and 20 minutes 1 had ffond si<xhts at the Sun for my 
 clirononuircrs, when the center or Oscar's Ishvnds horo 
 S. E. by S. 4 miles per compass, which j^ave the vesi^el s 
 lionjritude at that time 180 de<r. 50 min. West. 
 
 Difference Long^itude E, of the bearin<r 3 
 
 Lonpritude centre of the Group or 
 
 Oscar's Islands West 180 dejr. oi min. 
 
 Latitude noon South 8 dejr. 21 min. 
 
 Difference Latitude by Calculation 8 min. South. 
 Latitude centre of the (iroup or Os- 
 car's Islands South 8 dvff. 20 min. 
 
 I sincerely trust that the above may be found correct, 
 less on account of any credit that nuiy attach to myself, 
 tlian for tlie security of others wlio mi^ht, at some future 
 l)eriod follow this track, and not prove eipuilly fortunate 
 with myself in clearing this dan<ferou3 group. Had the 
 VHssi'l not sailed remarkably fast an I instantly obeyed 
 tlie helm, some fragment, perhaps, i)icked up at no dis- 
 tant date, would have been all, that, in a few moments, 
 would have remained of the Rebecca ; and the only evi- 
 dence that these Islands had ever before been seen, and 
 proved the Graves of their Discoverers. Wo saw no 
 signs of population. They were covered with cocoanut 
 trees, and low brush, in many places to the water's edge. 
 The breakers between the Islands were tremendous, tho 
 centre, which appeared like a large basin from the mast- 
 head, smooth as a mill pond. Alter getting my observa- 
 tion, I again bore up and made sail to the Westward 
 and Northward. As I have every reason to believe these 
 Islands were never before seen by any other European, I 
 have given them tlu; name of Ellice's Group, in honor of 
 my friend and benefactor, E. Ellice, Esq., M. P. for Coven- 
 try, and as a small evidence of my grateful recollection 
 of his kindness. The first Island on which we so nearly 
 struck, I call Escape Island, the one adjoining. Rebecca 
 Island, and two, uniti.'d by a small sand bar. and which 
 api)eared tho centre of the group, Oscar's Islands, one 
 detached from the rest to the Westwai'd, Brown's Inland 
 (see plan No. 1), in honor of my good friend, (J. Hrown. 
 
 TiirnsDAV, 18th May, ISIO. 
 
 Wind East, moderate and cloudy, made sail at (!, in 
 studding sails to keep tho vessel under command ; at 8 
 o'clock and !}0 minutes saw very distinctly a large fire 
 on our starboard bow, shortened sail and iiove to to tlu* 
 Southward. Tremendous thunder, lightning and rain. 
 Tacked occasionally to kee]) our station until daylight, 
 whtui we saw the land from N. by W. to NW. i)y W., 
 distant about (! miles ; at 7 the highest [Kiint bore Nortli 
 al)out miles. 
 
 Long. Chro. 183 dog. 10. min. , • 
 
 Acct. 180 deg. 57 min. 
 - Lat. noon H deg 4 min. South. 
 
 Few person-^, perhaps, have ever had a narntwer cB 
 
i2 
 
 •'apt! tluiii we on tlio ni<rlit of tlio ITili Inat.* 1 l)i*li^'V(f 
 tl»o fear of living, had the vessel struck, was the only 
 fear ; the prospect of ever >j;ettinnf from the iHland was 
 HO faint that it liardly inspired a hope while the relief 
 tion that perhaps a few years might drajr alonj; witli 
 one or two companions in misery, and then Death snatch 
 from yon this only consolation in wretchedntiss and 
 leave you a solitary wanderer where the voice of man 
 could never reach you was, oven after our danjjer was 
 over almost maddeninjr. It made a serious impression 
 on all, and the careless Seaman, who had before sought 
 s ):u«> hiding l)lace on deck to sleep away his Watch, 
 y^'' was aroused by his recent danger to vigilance. To this 
 aad the kind interposition of Providence we were again 
 iudebievl +or our safety. I had taken in the studding- 
 siil, i)ut the vessel under commanding canvas and was 
 gliding slowlS'on our ourse when the men forward 
 exiled out "a light ahead." It blazed up and all hands 
 instantly discovered a large lire. Brought to head to 
 the Southward. Finding her drift in the direction of 
 th') light, I made sail, determined by short tacks to 
 keep her during the night as near her present station as 
 p >3sible. We knew tliat a short distance to the North- 
 ward and Westward there must be land, but we did not 
 know its extent or the direction in which it trended. 
 The next moment might find us on some sand bar. I 
 dill not think it possible to augment the horror of our 
 situation or add another pang to those I already en- 
 dured, when an hour convinced me that no man can 
 say " He's at tlio worst." It b:;carae dark, the distant 
 thunder announced an approaching gust, which came 
 on so rapidly we had scarce time to take in sail, when 
 tlu! lightning actually streamed down, tlie rain poured, 
 the thunder rattled, and in this situation wo remained 
 two hours drifting about at the mercy of the elements ; 
 J g )t an anclior over the gunwale and bent the chain 
 
 ciblc. 
 
 " At longth t/io wished for morrow 
 Hroke tUrou^U llio hazy sky " 
 
 and c n-tainly not more than 6 miles under our lee ap- 
 p^arelalow Island, whicli we conjectured to bn about 
 10 miles long, and from which, the fire that had warned 
 U9 of our danger, proceeded. 
 
 DE pp:ysteu islands. 
 
 The S)uthern point, which wo doubled at five 
 or six miles distance, was the highest, and covered 
 witli (' >e;)anut trees. From the mast head sixteen 
 H n ill Islands appsareJ to form a circle. In the centre 
 11) I a:mngst tiiem in every direction muc'.i broken 
 water. I am iniucei to bjlieve that the greater part of 
 
 ^^ Wh m ('ii)tain DK Pkvstkh came on deck his huir 
 was black thr.iughout. the next morning the for^-Iock 
 w,is p<rf(!('tly white, and s ) continued, a distinct me- 
 m ';U o of this night, until ag;> c!ianged the rest to gray. 
 
them areoiily one Island, tlu; hijihost point s appear) nj;, l)iit 
 there wfU'. evidently two or tlireo perfeftly distinct ones. 
 I'inn No 2 taken when the Sniithernniost point of the 
 larjjfe Island bore due North, per compass, by actiiiii 
 bearinjjs and probablo distances will oivc u tftlernbly 
 jfDod idea of their appearand;. At !) oV']o(;l\, I had <;<tod 
 siifiits for the Chronometers and one distance of the sua 
 and moon which pave the followinar results : 
 Chro. 507 at I) o'clock 181 dep. A\) min. West. 
 .108" " " IHl de;x. 5'> "d". 
 Lunar 182 dc;.'. 
 H|5i5 : 4?) 
 
 Mean 181 : ."i5 
 
 Deduct 12 West made. 12 
 
 From 7 to 9 181 : 43 West. 
 
 lionjritude South Point.* 
 
 Lut. o'clock 8 i\og. 00 min. Soutli. 
 
 Distance from 7 to U o'clock, A. M . 3 Nori li. 
 
 Lit. at 7 o'clock 8 dep. 11 min. South. 
 
 South point of the Island distant 
 six miles by c:)mpa8S, Xo.th. 6 
 
 Lat. Soutli Point 8 dep. /) min. South. 
 
 After paS'Singtwo such n\;_fht9 of diingcr and nnxi«'ty, I 
 ihsteruiined on lyinp by every evening after dark until 
 diiybr.-ak, particularly as the lands we had made weie 
 SI) low, and in many jdaces banks of sand projectiii}'' 
 from them some distance into tiu) sea. It is reiuarkabln 
 that ( 'iimniodore li.vron sailed in this parallel of Latitude, 
 till within a very short distance of the Longitude of the 
 lirst Islands, and Captain Wallis ])a8sed as short a diK- 
 lunc! to the Westward of this (iron]). I am stron^rly 
 inclined to believe they stretch to the Northward and 
 Westward as far as Kinjr's Mills Uroup, and that many 
 move remain in that direction to bo discovered. This 
 (h'oup is evidently inhabitHd, the land rather liii>!ier 
 tlian lOiiiJCE's Uliofp, but like them covered with coo n- 
 nnt trees. Off the Southern point ai>j)'iars a reef on 
 which the sea breaks very hiph. To this <Jroup, judtf 
 inir ourselves to l;e the discoverers, my otlicers di i mi; 
 the hiHior to give the name of de PiiTsiKit Isi,am)s.| 
 
 ■•^ Hen; Captain dk PEVS'rKil8nbse<)uently made a note 
 in pencil " between the tracks of Hvron and Wallise." 
 
 f " Ca;)fain Bennct. of Ship Independence, of Xan- 
 ■ titiide 1), IS, S. Lon<iitude I7!>. 4.") K. 
 
 inhabi- 
 
14 
 
 wliidi lit! tho South Pi)int in Latitude 8 deg. 5 miu 
 South, Lonofitmle ISl deg^. 48 min. West. 
 
 See Plan No. 2. 
 
 Wednesday, 19th May, 1819. 
 
 l/ijyht breezes and (Ints weather. At tjix Hliortened 
 sail and hove to, head to the Northward. Our two nar- 
 row escapes liave made me nervous. Indeed, the 
 Islands we have discovered are so low 'tis next to an 
 impos-sibility to see theux until so close it tlien becouu-s 
 R chance whether you can clear them. At 5;o() o'clock 
 i». M. made sail. Saw several bojbies and two birds r^- 
 seinblinjT cu;le\vs. 
 
 Jjoniritiide, Chronometer 183 dejj. 2.") min. 
 
 Acct 182 de-r. 2 min. 
 
 L'ltitude 7 dej;. 42 min. South. 
 
 'riilHSDAV, 20th .Vay, 1819. 
 
 Moderate and cloudy. (! A. M. hove to, head to tlics 
 Northward. 4 p. M. scjualiy with mufli lightnin<>:. Oi*. -M. 
 made sail • 
 
 Ijonjjitude, Chronometer 184 deor. jj") min. 
 
 Acct 18;j dejr. 01 min. 
 
 Latitude 7 dejr. oO min. South. 
 FiUDAY. 2l8tMay, 1819. 
 Lljyht breezes and fine weatlnT. 8 A. M. shortened 
 sail and hov»; to, head to the Northward. 4 I*. M. boie 
 
 up and matle sai 
 
 Longitude, Chronometer 18,"> dep. 50 min. 
 
 Acct - 184 deg. 01 min. 
 
 Jiatitudo 7 dejr. 21 min. 
 * «• * ■;:- 
 
 1SI,AXD .JESUS DE MEXDANA. 
 
 SrxDAY, 2;Jd May, 1810. 
 
 Warm. Perfornuvl Divine service. This day I 
 ]»nssed the liatitude and Ijon^iitiide of the island Jesi'm 
 i)K Mendana, as laid down on Aukowsmith's Chart — 
 if the island does exist. Its position I judge is errone- 
 <)U>» ; we had no indication of land. 
 
 Loniritude 188 deg. Oo min. 1",. Latitude G deg. r*;] 
 min. South. 
 
 < V , « » ♦ • • *. 
 
 • . . . • i i . i • ', 1 i • . » 
 
 p ,«. . I • • 
 
 
 t t. 
 
 . .. - - 
 • « • 
 
 4 • « t • • 
 
^ 
 
 Rose Hill, Tivoli P. O., Duchess Co., N. Y. 
 1st January, 1868. 
 
 Member of the Netiieklandish Literauy Association 
 IMaafschappij der Nederlandsche Letterkunde] at Ley- 
 den, Holland. 
 
 HoNOUARY Member of the Minnesota Historical Society 
 and of the Phrenokosmian Society of Pennsylvania 
 College, Gettysburg; of the Philosophian Society, 
 Missionary Institute, Selins Grove, and of the Euter- 
 piAN Society. Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsyl- 
 vania. 
 
 Honorary Membkr of the N. Y. Burns Club, (Burns 
 ivas a Member of th^ Dumfries Volunteers, of which 
 . Col: Arent Sciiuyler,dePeyster, B.A.,was Colonel, (to 
 whom the ^^ National bard of Scotland'^ addressed, just 
 before his death, in 1790, his *' Poem on Life,''-) and Life 
 Mkmber of the St. Nisuolas Society of New York (of 
 which Johannes dePeystj^i, first of name in the Neid 
 World, wa^f Schepen, IG^, Alderman lfi66, Burgomas- , 
 ter, 167;], Deputy May€r, 1677 ; Mayoralty offered and 
 refused.) 
 
 Member of the New Y^'ork and of the Pennsylvania His- 
 torical Societies; Member, Third Class, (Honorary) 
 of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the 
 United States. 
 
 Life Member of the Historical Society of Michigan, a/id 
 of the Numismatic and Arch^ological Society of New 
 York. 
 
 Corresponding Member of the State Historical Socieiie'. 
 of Maine, of Vermont, and of Wisconsin; of the Long 
 Island, and of the Buffalo Historical Societies; of 
 the New England Historic-Genealogical Society; of 
 the Quebec Literary and Historical Society; etc..