Friday 26 August 1836

26^th After rising at ¼ past 5, setting the hands to work breakfasting &c started at ¼ past 7 in my (hired) whale boat manned with 3 hands instead of 5 (I always steer myself) for the Salt Lagoon, distant about 8 miles. Arranged sundry matters there gave rough directions for various operations, roughly measured off 80 Acres of land for the Company (with frontage to the Salt Lagoon of 1760 Yards & depth of 220 Yards. On my return found Col^l Light & party dining (on their own provisions & at Miss Beare’s special invitation) under my office tent. Had conversation with him on sundry trivial matters. After I had dined Capⁿ Martin came ashore & we had a long talk about his Carpenter & one of his sailors both of which I agreed to engage ashore. I was to day very much insulted & annoyed by M^r Birdseye who I am reluctantly obliged to consider as a person determined to make as much of & do as little for the Company as he legally dare do. I am most awkwardly situated as to officers & though both by day & night I do more than ever I thought I could have performed I am grieved to see that business is not conducted by any means to my satisfaction. The L.M.P. still remains at anchor but I have not been able to board her. She has made no signal.