and connections, I went this day to Philadelphia

,
and forwarded various letters and papers to Eng-
land. Afterwards I dined at J. A.'s, an English-
man, who had often kindly invited me to his house.
He had been sent to this country by D. B. on
business. J. A. gave me an account of singular
preservation experienced by the ship's company
in crossing the Atlantic, when more than 500
miles from land. His narrative was nearly as
follows:--Lying awake early one morning, he was
alarmed by the people's continuing a long time at
the pump. About five o'clock the Captain came
down and informed him that the ship had sprung
so considerable a leak, that he was fearful the
consequence would be serious, for the water gained
fast upon them; that in all probability it would not
be many hours before the vessel would sink, and
that there was no alternative but taking to the long-
boat. Preparations were accordingly made to
leave the ship, by providing the few stores and
necessaries they were able to stow in the boat.
While this was doing the water increased so rapidly,
that, early in the forenoon, it filled the lower hold
and began to make its appearance on the cabin
floor. About noon all were under the absolute ne-
cessity of leaving the ship, from an expectation she
would go down every moment. With this awful pro-
spect before them, the ship's company committed
themselves to the waves, with scarcely a ray of hope