December 1770

1. About this time D^r Solander had a return of his fever which increasd gradualy for 4 or 5 days, when he became once more in imminent danger.

7. We receivd the agreable news of the ships arrival in the road, having compleated all her rigging &c. &c. and having now nothing to take in but provisions and a little water. The people on board however were extremely sickly and several had dyed, a circumstance necessarily productive of delays; indeed had the ships company been strong and healthy we should have been before now at Sea.

D^r Solander had chang'd much for the better within these two last days, so that our fears of losing him were intirely dissipated, for which much praise is due to his ingenious Physician D^r Jaggi who at this Juncture especialy was indefatigable.

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14. Arrivd the Earl of Elgin Indiaman Cap^te Cooke, having lost her passage¹ to China, and being in want of anchors, cables and other stores. D^r Solander continued to mend tho slowly.

16. Arrivd the Phoenix Captⁿ Black, a private trader from India. Our departure being now very soon to take place, I thought it would be very convenient to cure the ague which had now been my constant companion for many weeks; accordingly I took decoction of bark² plentifully, and in three or 4 days missd it. I then went to town, settled all my affairs and remaind impatient to have the day fix'd.

24. The 25^th Xmas day by our account being fixd for sailing, we this morn hird a large countrey Praw, which came up to the door and took in D^r Solander, now tolerably recoverd, and carried him on board the ship where in the evening we all joind him.