66 THE FLEET AT SEA. 1787 that port light airs of wind and a strong current making it probable Augoflt. some of the ships might not get in, I did not think it prudent to attempt it. At Rio. We anchored ofiT Rio Janeiro the 5th of this month, of which I had an opportunity of informing you by a ship that passed us, and the 6th, in the evening, got into the harbour with the Supply tender, store-ships, and transports. . Portumieso I l^^^^e the pleasure of saying that every assistance we have dvuity. wanted in this port has been most readily granted. Rum. ^^6 hundred and fifteen pipes of rum has been purchased for the use of the garrison, when landed, and for the use of the detachment at this port The marines and convicts have had fresh provisions since in port, and as I found at Tenerifie that f lb. of beef was not sufficient for Fresh & convict for the day, and that no butter or cheese could be pro- proi«ion8. q^j^ ]ierc, the beef being exceedingly good and very cheap, I ordered each person victualled by the Commissary 1 J ft. of beef and 1 lb. of rice, and to the children of the marines and convicts f lb. of meat and 1 B). of rice, with vegetables each day, AUowanoM. The marines and their wives have had the usual quantity of spirits. The allowance for the convicts when at sea being so small was the reason I ordered them, while in port, the same allowance as the officers and men belonging to the garrison, spirits excepted. vCheap food. The victualling all these, who are under the inspection of the Com- missary, including fixing and eveiy other expense, amounts to no more than 3|d. a head per day. Wine is not to be bought at present but from those who retail it, there being none in store, consequently is dearer than in general, RiaeinrunL ^^^ t^® ^u™ ^^ ^^^ coming in, there being little in the place, rose more than 25 per cent. Caaava. One hundred sacks of casava* have been purchased, which ^Rrill be issued to the convicts when the bread is expended, and will be cheaper to Government; it costs only 5s. 8|d., and the sacks, being of strong Russia, will be used hereafter in cloathing the convicts, many of whom are nearly naked.
- Casava, or cassada, is the root of a shnib, in its crude state highly
poisonous ; but b^ washing, pressure, and evaporation, it was deprivM of its harmful qualities, and when made into cakes, became a good sabstatute for bread. It was largely used in the tropical islands. — Phillip's Voyage, p. 33. Digitized by Google
