[Sidenote: Mar. 11.] 8 A.M.--Arrived _Alecto_, Commander Raby, bringing our December mail. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] No Protestant clergyman being allowed to do duty on shore, two marriages among the coloured population were solemnized on board by Captain Turnour. There are upwards of 1000 coloured people, Protestants, in and about the town, who are not allowed to assemble together in each other’s houses to pray, nor is a school allowed for the education of their children. Such is Spanish law in A.D. 1861! Spanish Governor Don José de la Gandara visited the ship: a superior and intelligent-looking man. [Sidenote: Mar. 14.] 11.30 A.M.--Weighed; stood to southward down west coast of the island. [Sidenote: St. Thomas, Mar. 16.] 7.30 A.M.--Came to in 6 fathoms, Island of St. Thomas, Fort St. Sebastian N.N.W. 3/4 mile. I anchored here, just twenty-three years ago, in the _Childers_ on my way to Ascension and England (1838). Found everybody on shore anything but civil; slavers calling are more profitable than Her Majesty’s ships. Several canoes, apparently fishing, started off to sea on our arrival and were not seen to return. After we got under weigh at 8 P.M. observed port-fires and other night signals in different directions. [Sidenote: Mar. 19.] 1 P.M.--Chased and came up with a brig, the _Falmouth_ of New York. This vessel had been captured only a few months ago by one of the U.S. cruisers _Portsmouth_, and sent to New York to be sold for the benefit of the captors. [Sidenote: St. Paul de Loanda, Mar. 21.] 6 A.M.--Exchanged salutes with the _Archer_, 8; came to in 5 fathoms as near the coal depot as we could. Found _Wrangler_, also an old acquaintance at Madeira, Flag-Officer Inman, in the U.S. _Constellation_; exchanged salutes and fraternized considerably. Found the American iron coaling launches most useful. Native labour idle and next to useless. [Sidenote: Mar. 23.] Midnight, weighed. [Sidenote: Mar. 27.] Came to in Little Fish Bay. Obtained fresh beef and live bullocks, yams, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and cabbages. English potatoes plentiful. [Sidenote: Cape of Good Hope, April 21.] Stood into False Bay; took moorings in Simon’s Bay. Found here _Brisk_, _Gorgon_, and _Persian_. [Sidenote: April 22.] Commenced coaling and otherwise preparing for our relief. [Sidenote: April 24.] 8 P.M.--_Narcissus_ arrived with flag of Sir Baldwin Walker to relieve me. Appointed to the Brazilian command. [Sidenote: April 25.] Salutes exchanged. [Sidenote: April 29.] Gave up the Command in Chief of the Cape of Good Hope and West African station to Sir Baldwin Walker. At 8.30 P.M. steamed out of Simon’s Bay to go to Table Bay for provisions, ships and transports from China having cleared out the stores. [Sidenote: May 3.] 10 A.M.--Steamed out of Table Bay against a heavy swell. [Sidenote: May 16.] 6.40 P.M.--Came to at Ascension. Found here _Mæander_, _Tortoise_, and _Buffalo_. [Sidenote: Ascension, May 17.]