THURSDAY 11th
Land Ho, California has at last appeared to our view. We are a great distance from it, So that it appeared like a cloud. Still by the help of the Glass we can distinctly See large trees covering the Hills. Several Vessels are in Sight bound in. We exchanged Signals with the one nearest us which proved to be Germen. The wind has died away, nearly to a calm, which Makes it rather doubt ful about our geting in to day. The Morning is very pleasant. At One OClock P.M .We got a fine breeze from the Westward, but a thick fog Set in with it, which prevented us from Seeing but a Short distance ahead. At five o clock a Ship appeared off our weather Bow nearing us quite fast. She was Soon within hailing distance. Our Stars and Stripes were hoisted and She Soon raised the Same. We gave them hearty cheers, which were as heartily returned . Our Captain then Spoke to her. She proved to be the Ship Mason of New York, from Philadelphia 231 days out. We kept in company with her Steering the Same course until Six, O,Clock when She was Seen to come about, and Steer directly for us. When within hailing distance, her Captain Sung out with all his might Ship Salem put up your helm hard up Land ahead. Shure enough a large Mountain of Rocks appeared throught the fog, close to us so that by the time our Ship was got about we could distinctly see the Breakers dash against the Rocks. there was great confusion for a Short time on deck but we were soon out of all danger Standing off from the land Both Ships now were near each other again, and both Captains agreed to Stand off and on during the night, and if possible to keep in company. We have no doubt the land we discovered was the Faron Islands distance about twenty miles from the Mouth of the Harbor.