Concise Extract, from the Sea Journal of William Moulton
Item #62639
MOULTON, William. Concise Extract, from the Sea Journal of William Moulton; Written on Board of the Onico, in a Voyage from the Port of New-London in Connecticut, to Staten-Land in the South Sea; Together with Strictures and Remarks on Various Subject Matters which Came within His Notice, on the Coast of South America, and at a Variety of Islands in the South Sea and Pacific Ocean, in the Years, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804. Utica: For the Author, 1804. 1st ed. 158, [1, errata]pp. Recent antique-style calf-backed boards, spine ruled in blind, orig. gilt-lettered black morocco spine label laid down. Light scattered foxing and toning, else a very good untrimmed copy. HOWES M-863. Hill 1193. Sabin 52236. "Moulton had served the country under arms before he shipped out on the American schooner Onico on a voyage 'to take fur seal in the Southern and Pacific Oceans, and when she had obtained her cargo, to proceed to Canton in China, to dispose of it, and take in a cargo of the merchandise of that country, for America.' Moulton's object for the voyage was to acquire property and to improve his health. He kept a diary for the length of the trip, recording every event in detail. The whole crew with him suffered great hardship and indignities from the ship's master, George Howe, and the first mate, George Haley, who eventually sold the ship and abandoned the mutinous crew 'in a remote part of the Southern Hemisphere.' Before Howe abandoned his crew at Juan Fernandez, the Onico visited several ports along the west coast of South America. Moulton's account includes interesting observations on the history, geography, climate, and natural history of the places visited, in addition to numerous documents pertaining to the events and accounts of the sealing activities. This little-known book is notable for its scarcity and for being the first book to be printed in Utica, N.Y. Although the printers are not named, it was doubtless printed by Merrell & Seward"--Hill.
Price: $3,500.00