9th Month, 19th.

After attending to some busi-
ness, P. J. and several other friends joining us, we
took a boat with an intention of visiting Mount
Vernon

; but, after sailing a few miles on the
Potowmack, the wind got up very high, and
we found it would be unsafe to land: so, after
taking a view of that beautiful spot from the river,
we found it most prudent to return. Before we
had got half way back to Alexandria, the wind
still increasing, a great part of our company pre-
ferred walking 7 or 8 miles in the heat of the day,
to the danger of continuing their voyage on the
river; and they were accordingly put on shore at
the first convenient landing. On approaching the
shore, I was entertained with the sight of a num-
ber of beautiful tortoises, that were seated upon
the edge of a large boat which lay a wreck at the
water side. Their colours were as beautifully
variegated as the wings of the butterfly. After
landing a part of our company, we beat up the
river in the best manner we could: and, had I not
been a pretty good swimmer, I should frequently
have considered myself in extreme danger; but
knowing that if the boat had filled with water, I
was able to swim on shore, I had not much fear
about me.

9th Month, 20th.

I attended Alexandria monthly
meeting

in the forenoon; and, there being a vessel
lying here, which was about sailing for Liverpool,