I don't have the primary document. What I do have is a transcription typed by my great grandfather's secretary. And to give it longer life, I plan (one day) to publish it, both digitally and as a limited edition artist's book. Here is the introductory paragraph:
It was in the summer of 1843 that principally on account of some untoward family occurrences, I finally determined to go to sea. I was then a stout young man, or rather a youth of 17 years of age and living with my parents, tilling their little farm and doing my best for them, which I always wish to do. But that is a tender subject so I had best drop it.After getting his sea legs, this distant relative of mine and his crew go on to club seals and harpoon leviathons. As I transcribe the document to my Google docs, read his account here.
