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9th Month, 19th. After attending to some busi- ness, P. J. and several other friends joining us, we took a boat with an intention of visiting Mount Vernon; but, after sailing a few miles on the Potowmack, the wind got up very high, and we found it would be unsafe to land: so, after taking a view of that beautiful spot from the river, we found it most prudent to return. Before we had got half way back to Alexandria, the wind still increasing, a great part of our company pre-ferred walking 7 or 8 miles in the heat of the day, to the danger of continuing their voyage on the river; and they were accordingly put on shore at the first convenient landing. On approaching the shore, I was entertained with the sight of a num- ber of beautiful tortoises, that were seated upon the edge of a large boat which lay a wreck at the water side. Their colours were as beautifully variegated as the wings of the butterfly. After landing a part of our company, we beat up the river in the best manner we could: and, had I not been a pretty good swimmer, I should frequently have considered myself in extreme danger; but knowing that if the boat had filled with water, I was able to swim on shore, I had not much fear about me. 9th Month, 20th. I attended Alexandria monthly meeting in the forenoon; and, there being a vessel lying here, which was about sailing for Liverpool,