The hospital in the town is well attended, but the situation is so ill chosen that it certainly would be the saving of many lives to build one in its stead up the river, which might be done with great advantage as water carriage is so easy and convenient.  A great neglect in some of the commanders of the shipping here was suffering their people to go dirty and frequently without frock, shirt, or anything to cover their bodies, which, besides being a public nuisance, must probably be productive of ill health in the most robust constitution.

The governor-general gave me leave to lodge all my people at the country hospital which I thought a great advantage and with which they were perfectly satisfied.  The officers however at their own request remained in the town.

The time fixed for the sailing of the packet approaching, I settled my accounts with the Sabandar, leaving open the victualling account to be closed by Mr. Fryer the master previous to his departure, who I likewise authorised to supply the men and officers left under his command with one month’s pay to enable them to purchase clothing for their passage to England.

I had been at great pains to bring living plants from Timor, in six tubs, which contained jacks, nancas, karambolas, namnams, jambos, and three thriving breadfruit plants.  These I thought might be serviceable at the Cape of Good Hope if brought no farther:  but I had the mortification of being obliged to leave them all at Batavia.  I took these plants on board at Coupang on the 20th of August:  they had experienced a passage of 42 days to my arrival here.  The breadfruit plants died to the root and sprouted afresh from thence.  The karambolas, jacks, nancas, and namnams I had raised from the seed and they were in fine order.  No judgment can hence be formed of the success of transporting plants, as in the present trial they had many disadvantages.

Friday 16.

This morning being sunrise I embarked on board the Vlydte packet commanded by Captain Peter Couvret, bound for Middleburgh.  With me likewise embarked Mr. John Samwell, clerk, and John Smith, seaman.  Those of our company who stayed behind the governor promised me should follow in the first ships and be as little divided as possible.  At 7 o’clock the packet weighed and sailed out of the road.

Sunday 18.

On the 18th we spoke the Rambler, an American brig belonging to Boston, bound to Batavia.  After passing the Straits of Sunda we steered to the north of the Cocos Isles.  These islands, Captain Couvret informed me, are full of coconut trees:  there is no anchorage near them but good landing for boats.  Their latitude 12 degrees 0 minutes south.  Longitude 96 degrees 5 minutes east.