The Captain this day fixed upon a spot for the site of a house intended for his own residence:  he also gave the name of Paradise to a portion of ground which had been cleared to form a garden for the use of the colony, and changed the appellation of Glover’s Stairs for that of Jacob’s Ladder.  This consists of a flight of 150 steps, leading from the beach to the acclivity on which Clarence is situated that had been constructed, since our arrival, by Mr. Glover, and his body of English artificers.

Friday, 9.—­During the night there had been much thunder and lightning, succeeded, in the morning, by heavy rains, which went off at eleven o’clock, and recommenced at two, accompanied by strong gusts of wind; at four, it cleared up again:  scarcely a canoe or native was to be seen throughout the day.

Saturday, 10.—­The weather is to-day extremely fine, and yet very few canoes or natives have been seen:  and none have approached the ship.  We apprehend that something has occurred to displease them—­a suspicion afterwards confirmed.  In the afternoon, at the time I happened to be on shore, a deputation of seven chiefs came to Mr. Jeffery, at Newmarket, with a complaint that our Kroomen had been cutting down the palm-trees for the leaves to thatch their huts with; and, also, that they were much annoyed by the frequent firing of muskets.  In reply to the latter complaint, Mr. Jeffery explained to them, that the firing proceeded only from the attempts of our officers to shoot monkeys; to confirm which statement, the purser very opportunely came up at the instant with a large monkey and a small deer, which he had just shot.  They did not, however, appear properly satisfied; for they shook their heads, and intimated that, if we persevered in cutting down the palms, it would not only deprive them of the advantages of that valuable tree, but, by diminishing the quantity of wood, extend the system of firing musketry farther into the interior of the country.  At length, with a view of settling all grievances, and convincing them we had no intention of inflicting any injury, we took them a short distance beyond the points our men were occupied in clearing, and, placing a quantity of iron on the ground, gave them, by signs, to understand, that we would give them all that iron for the land contained within that boundary.  The nature of this treaty for purchase, they appeared to understand well, and signified their assent by placing sticks, at equal distances from each other, in the line proposed.  Mr. Jeffery, at the same time, marking a tree as an evidence of the agreement on our side.  The quantity of land of which we had thus made a bona fide purchase, was equal to about a square mile in extent.  The treaty was afterwards more fully ratified, and the property involved formally taken possession of by a public act, which will be duly noticed.  Both parties being now satisfied, we returned to Newmarket, the natives accompanying us, and, sitting down in a row together, farther confirmed the bargain by plentiful libations of palm-wine.