248 May 1835 Ouisima of our boats and their crews, went to the "Hancock" to go up with her to the Harbors found by me yesterday. Cap. Rodgers thinking that the town on the south shore would prove to be the chief town of the island, wished to make a formal visit and to communicate with the Government. We steamed up into the inner harbor, finding plenty of water everywhere, and came to an- chor at a point beyond the elbow, but much short of the distance up that we might have reached. Com. R. and suite started for the town with six boats containing the officers and men for the procession to visit the authorities, and returned after three hours. The Wright and myself landed to make collections. I found several species of curious land shells new to me among straws, under dead wood etc. in com- paratively open places, but after penetrating some distance into the woods I could find no more. The thickets abounded in white and red raspberries, upon which we feasted ad lib. At low water I went down to the shore and under stones on a gravelly-mud beach, found a variety of marine animals new to me. Among the shells was a species of Malleus which appeared to be common here. 249 May 1835 Ouisima & neighboring Is. Returning on board the Hancock we dined, and pro- ceded on our return to the Venceunes,- running along the shores of the outer harbor and enter- ing its many coves. The vessel grounded once, but was got off without much difficulty; general- ly we found a sufficient depth of water quite close to the shore. We arrived at the Vou- cesnes at about sunset. 6th Weather cloudy, squally in the morning. We get underway early this morning and com- menced beating out of St. Kao bay. In one of our in-shore tacks we narrowly escaped grounding on a shallow rocky bottom which made off from the land. Getting clear of the land we made several stretches off and on getting a survey of the North extremity of Ouisima, and of some rocks which lie off this part of its coast. 7th N. Lat. 28o49' E. lon. 129o02' Wind E. Fine Temp. 74o Made the Cleopatra Is. two in number. As we pas- sed on the E. side of them, the Hancock pas- sed on the West, and some of her officers landed on one of them, which is an extinct Volcano - a perfect cone with a very deep crater. A hut was found, with fish, fresh & dried, but the inhabitants were not seen.