We have been here for several days and made one of the quickest passages on record from Gibraltar to this place. The distance is about 700 miles and the ship run it in about 48 hours. We found the U.S.S. John Adams here & gave her orders to go home, she has been on the coast for two years. Maderia is a very nice place but quiet. We get all the fruits and vegetables peculiar to the U.S. at this season of the year besides tropical fruits. With the exception of grapes and the crop will be a failure again this year. The Americans are in good repute among the Portuguese of the Island for the reason that our government kept many of them from starving during the last famine and the little boys and beggars still ask for our cents to buy bread, saying that the English have no money and are no good. There is very good society here and the American Consul (Mr. March) is a very generous and hospitable man he has an elegant house and is a bachelor & woman hater so he is very fond of the society of officers and his rooms are always open for their reception. He is the wealthiest man on the Island and lives like a prince. I suppose Bro [Brother] Joseph has told you where I have been, what I have been doing &c and as the Adams will sail this afternoon I will not have time to say as much as I could wish. In Gibraltar we met the Steam Frigate San Jacinto and two of her midshipmen transferred to this ship by request, both of them excellent fellows, and one an old room mate of mine at the Academy. The Midn of the John Adams who has been on the coast for two years, say that it is a miserable station for pleasure, but they have always been in good health & there is no danger of getting the African Fever. For no person down there is permitted to be ashore after sunset, and the Men of War have crewman to do all the boat duty. We have a number on board now who were in the Adams & they are a fine set of negroes and are perfectly at home in the boats & in the water. This Place, Palmas in the Canaries & St. Helena are three of the best places on the station and are the only places where there is white society. I think we will pass a great deal of time here after touching at the different ports down the coast. We were up the Mediterranean just long enough to a great distaste for the coast! But one thing certain I could not have studied a particle while up there, and will be compelled to a little here just to pass away time if for nothing else. I hope this squadron will be dispensed with before long as I don not wish to come here again ever. The Squadron has taken but two slavers for the last two years and they were both small vessels, but our government is compelled by a treaty with Great Britian to keep a certain number of guns out here and our Men of War can capture none but American slavers, while the English take all nations but Americans. The consequence is that they get all the prizes. We are giving our crew liberty now and I have as much as I can do & am hurried from morning till night. However will have easy times before many days. Why haven’t I received any letters from you! Are you to much engaged to write me occasionally? I have written you several since I one and I believe the last from you was in N. Y. I don’t know whether it will be best for me to remain in this ship or get in a Brig. Here I have the advantage of pleasant shipmates who keep time from hanging heavy and who keep off the Blue Devils, for among six of us we can make our own fun in a great measure. We keep watch on the Forecastle at sea & this is a pretty responsible duty in a Frigate. Passed Midn would be there if we had any. The only disadvantages are very dark apartments so dark that we keep candles burning day & night & do all our reading & writing by candlelight. Here there is a great deal of Humbug about dress. They are so very particular about always being in exact uniforms and white pants must be worn at all times in port. Then there are a thousand little rules of etiquette. The observance of which is very annoying, but this is always the case in the Commodores Ship. Now on board of a small vessel one can do as he pleases & dress as he pleases in a measure. There I would have a watch as officer of the Deck and as they all live together, I would have the same privileges as the Lieutenants. However I shall not go in any vessel that I think will remain out longer than this ship does.