February 2, 1820 – This morning finds us rejoicing in prosperity.  A fair wind from the South West sets our faces directly toward the scene of our anticipated labors.  We are now 10° or 12° west of Cape Horn, and feel much as if we were on our way home.  Capt. B. says again we could not ask for a better wind.  Mercury this evening at sunsetting is 44°, that is 12° above feezing point at the close of a long summer day. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 2nd. We are 25 deg. S. Lat. and 75 W. Long. The air this morning is clear and cold Nights now are short. I am told that in the 60th deg. in the month of Dec. when the days are the longest, the sun rises a quarter before 3, and sets a quarter after 9. Daylight continues all night. Probably we shall never be at a greater distance from you, than at the present time. I think I can in some measure realize what must be your feelings in this inclement season. #. are experiencing the blasts of a northern region, we, of a southern. You enjoy the privileges of home, with innumerable comforts, we are favoured with mercies at sea. And though we feel ourselves “pilgrims and wanderers who have here no abiding place or continuing city,” and far separated from most of our dear friends, we are happy in the society of each other. We feel the cords of love binding our hearts together and uniting them as the heart of one man. Few in our native land can look around on a more interesting and happy family than we daily behold.  The society also of one dear and affectionate friend, greatly increases my happiness.  I have reason to praise God who has made us acquainted with each other, and united us in so endearing a connexion.  He is worthy of my sincere and lasting attachment.  It shall be my constant study to make his life pleasant and useful.  And should I be a means of lightning his care is or contributing and any measure too is happiness, I shall be doubly compensated.  (Mercy Partridge Whitney Journal)

Feb. 2d. 100 [103] days out, lat. 58° 25′ South, long. in 75° West (James Hunnewell)

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February 3, 1820 – A strong westerly wind takes us rapidly to the North. (Thaddeus Journal)

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February 4, 1820 – Bearing North West with a fair S. West wind we continue our march towards our destination, aided by the good providence of God. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 4th. I find many things in our way, bringing to mind the journey of the children of Israel in the wilderness. GOD watched over them, emphatically, by night and by day—carried them through difficulties and dangers with an outstretched arm, and when compelled, as it were, to chastise them by reason of their awful back- slidings, yet how did his infinitely compassionate mind, turn from his anger, so soon as they sought his face!
Over us too, since He called us from the bosom of our beloved country, has He, emphatically, watched, by night and by day,—in difficulties and in dangers has He taken us in the hollow of his hand, and carried us safely through; and when we have felt the rod, so light have been the strokes, and so mingled with mercies, as scarcely to allow us to say, “We are chastened.” Repeated and striking have been the instances in which he has shown himself a GOD ready to hear, even while we were yet speaking. 0, may a gracious God save us from our sins no leaa than from the outward evils which we deprecate!—ever save us from that spirit which led his chosen people, so soon after they had ’sung his praise, to forget GOD their Saviour, and wait not for his counsel’! (Sybil Bingham)

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February 5, 1820 – Last night was one of the most toilsome for the sailors that that we have had since our embarkation. The wind fair and strong and the sea exceedingly rough to day, and the waves break over deck repeatedly. But still we have great cause for thankfulness that we are wafted rapidly towards a milder climate. (Thaddeus Journal)

Feb. 5th Fresh gales and a heavy sea. Shipped great quantities of water on deck, owing to heavy head swell or large cross sea. (James Hunnewell)

5. – For 3 days past we have a continued gale, yet most of the time it has been favourable. Last night the sailors say was the worst time we have had since we left Boston. Here I lay in my little cabin as quiet as I never did at home, while the waves were rolling over my head 2 or 3 feet deep. Blessed be God whose waking eyes never slumber nor sleep. Trusting in him I will not fear, though the floods encompass me & I go down into the depth of the sea. I have never seen the waves so high as they are now. They sometimes break over the bows of the ship as high as the foreyard washing over the deck with much violence. (Samuel Whitney Journal)

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February 6, 1820 – Lat. 53° S. Lon. 78° w. – In many respects a pleasant sabbath.  The Lord has greatly smiled upon us during another week, in delivering us so speedily from the Cape.  Had this course of winds arisen a little sooner instead of proceeding directly on our course, we must have stood away upon the other tack, running South and East to avoid the danger of the weather inclement, but enjoyed our prayer meeting both in the morning and afternoon, and was enabled with joy to say again, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.  He still gives us favorable winds without and a comfortable state within. – Brother and Sister Ruggles scarcely able however to attend public worship. (Thaddeus Journal)

February 6, Sabbath, Lat. 59 – off the Straits of Magellan, west of Tierra del Fuego. Last night, the winds began to blow and the seas to roll, as we had never before witnessed; so that the two conflicting powers seemed to agitate the ocean to its very foundations. Our vessel labored excessively, the seas constantly breaking over, threatened every moment to overpower her. I think I never so much realized the weakness of man, and the power of the Almighty. After all, it is said we have had an uncommon favorable time in turning the Cape, such as few experience; and we feel that we can truly say that mercy and goodness hath followed us hitherto.  (Lucia Ruggles Holman)

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