Carthagena
23 July 2018St Vincent
23 July 2018Thursday 25th April – this morning at 10 arrived at Port Royal, where our passengers left us. Of these I shall now proceed to give you the opinion which I formed of them. They were two in number. M.r Michael Henry and M.r Caravallo.
M.r Henry was a stout man about 33, of ordinary height, black hair, & a very ruddy clear complexion. From his countenance I immediately judged him to belong to the tribe of Israel – but I could not say so for certain, and there was nothing Israelitish in his name, nor did any one on board seem to be acquainted with his nation. Sometimes I was doubtful of the inference I had drawn from the peculiars of his phiz – when I saw with how little scruple, nay with what gusto he devoured our pork and hams. In his manners he was very pleasant – in his conversation lovely & agreeable, but never deep or profound. He had resided 13 years in Jamaica, & having come home on account of his health, which being completely restored, he was on his return to Kingston, to resume his business. I met him several times at the Town and found him to be a Navy & Army Clothier, which business however, he gave up before we left for England, for that of a Jeweller and fancy merchant – or a seller of fancy articles. On making inquiry about him I was told that he was in truth and indeed a Jew – and in addition, that the Jews in Jamaica, were not at all scrupulous in violating the mosaical prohibitions against swine’s flesh.
M.r Carvallo was a young man, about 22 as he told me – but I should have guessed him to be not more than 19 or 20. In his personal appearance he was very tall (about 6 ft. 3 in) – of a dark complexion – & from his name I set him down as a descendant of some of the old Spaniards. M.r C. and M.r Henry had been some months travelling thro’ England and Scotland – & had derived amusement as well as reestablishment of their health from their tour. Altho’ both these gentlemen were thus intimate, I never once suspected that M.r Carvalho was also a Jew – so little of the Jew had he about him. Nay I never ever suspected the truth (for truth it certainly was), even when I heard him decline peas soup in which pork had been boiled – roast pork and some of the finest ham in the world – and I set down his consistent rejection of these to a dislike for them on the part of his stomach or palate & not to the real cause, viz. a conscientious scruple upon religious grounds. M.r Carvalho had not even the slightest accent, which M.r Henry had. He was also extremely well informed on all general topics – Had dabbled in History – Chemistry – Natural Philosophy & Astronomy – and the only fault I could discover in him was a certain degree of opinionativeness, which in some measure approached to an obstinate adherence to his own sentiments against all arguments or reason. But quis omni caret cula – nobody – and therefore I should say he was a precious metal whose intrinsic value is not lowered by some slight flaws in the workmanship, or some slight partial dimness of its lustre. M.r Carvalho then was a great favourite of mine – & I should not be sorry to have always so intelligent & pleasant a Companion de voyage.
I had almost forgot another passenger whom we brought with us from Barbadoes, a M.r Mahon, an assistant Surgeon in the Artillery. He was so short a time with us that, I can say very little respecting him. He made himself very pleasant – assumed no airs – amused us with sundry articles of mess chat.
Friday 26th April – at anchor in Port Royal Harbour. Went to town today – no news – no stir. Walked about a good deal and was exceedingly glad to get back to the old Duke in the evening.
Saturday 27th – at daybreak this morning left Port Royal for Carthagena – fine weather – fresh and nearly favourable breeze.
Sunday 28th – fresh and nearly favourable breeze – fine weather.
Monday 29th – fine weather – fresh and favourable breeze.
Tuesday 30th – at 8 A.M. in sight of land. At 12 saw the mountains of La Popa. At 3 P.M. passed thro’ the Boca Chico & at 5 P.M. came to anchor.