[35] pp. ink manuscript diary. 20.5x17 cm. (8¼x6¾"), modern leather (faux alligator).

Diary of a young man's voyage from Beantown to the Big Easy aboard the "Franklin Heaven," with observations that are fresh and insightful, if a little naive. He records initial sea-sickness of himself and fellow passengers (a number of whom are women), the weather, passing ships, the food fed to passengers ("very good, most of it. Beefsteak 3 times per day with fish, puddings, tea, coffee..."), etc. He is a keen observer, and provides insights into his fellow passengers. On Nov. 15 he records "the great event of today, after the oyster pie dinner, was the capture of a shark. I had just seated my self to play checkers in the wheel house when the alarm was given that a fish was about and running to the storm. I saw a shark coming towards us. We immediately put a piece of pork on our big hook bent a rope on it throw out... We soon had him on deck amid loud shouts. He measured 6½ feet in length..." One very interesting aspect of the diary is the presence of about 20 "Autographs of passengers on board the ship Franklin Heaven" towards the end, although a number appear to be in the same hand.