Göteborg (which is the Swedish spelling), October 10, 1809. Couche at 1/2 p. 10. Rose at 6. At 10 called on Madame Daily. She anticipated the object of my visit (so far, I mean, as regards business), by offering her services to take anything, parcels or letters, for me to England. This is just what I wished, finding that I must still disencumber myself of papers and small articles. On her fidelity and punctuality I can rely. Sat an hour. Home and went to overhauling papers and baggage to see what I could spare. A very embarrassing business. I can never decide what to leave and what to take. If you were here—ah, why are you not ?—you would settle all this in a single minute, and all would be right. But I take up a paper and hold it, turning and twisting it, for 10 minutes, and am still undecided. Already I have had occasion to regret the want of a paper which is among those sent off by Barry. This makes me still more cautious and indecisive. If there were an opportunity direct to the United States, I should be at no loss. But there is no such thing, nor can I find any mode of communication to you but through England; a mode to which, you know, I have very serious objections. At 1 P.M. walked to the harbour to hunt up the Americans who are here. Saw none of them, but got the names of six captains, not one of my acquaintance. Left my address for them at the tavern which is their rendezvous, and at the same place consoled myself with bread and cheese, and Swedish ale, 16 sch. which counts for afton.¹ Home at 1/2 p. 2 and went to work again at my papers, but made no progress. Lüning came in at 5, having been running about, as usual, for me. He walked to see Lehman, a Bremener, who is to be my comp. de voyage.² It won't do. He has a lady in charge, and will travel in a way which will not suit me. He goes at 4 to-morrow morning. Will forward a letter for me to Hauterive. In our walk we met a man of Lüning's acquaintance whose name is Bollman; a circumstance I did not learn till we got home. Will see him again to inquire. L. and I agreed to treat ourselves to a supper of oysters and Rhenish wine. Sent out for both. Two bottles of wine cost 3 dollars. About a peck of oysters, 3 dollars; rather an extravagant meal. After all was served, L., who had taken all the trouble, and affected to be very keen, acknowledged that he was unwell; could neither eat nor drink, and must go to bed, which he did at 7. So you see all his zeal for the supper was to gratify me. I made him drink a bottle of warm sangaree, made of our wine. Made my supper. The oysters are very small, generally of a greenish colour, and always a strong coppery taste; just like the English. I tried them roasted and raw, but could only get down nine. Of the wine I drank two-thirds of a bottle. Wrote my letter to Hauterive, enclosing a copy of that which I wrote him from Stockholm, and at 1/2 p. 10 took it to Lehman's, but all were abed. Knocked; no answer, and so came off. Must be up at 4 to secure the conveyance of it.
