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Harrington at the muster on board, I foolishly
answered that gentleman's questions evasively and
falsely - a fear of injuring others being the momentary
impulse which actuated me. Here follows the
[underlined] (whole) truth.

Having unfortunately married a young
woman so habitual a drunkard that I became weary
of my existence, and having tried in vain every means
to separate myself from her, I at length determined if
possible to quit the colony, leaving what might have
been (but for her) a comfortable home, and throwing
myself pennyless [sic], and probably friendless upon the
wide world - I firmly resolved if I reached England,
never to commit a dishonest act - but rather to beg
my bread if I could not obtain work. In April 1829,
an opportunity presented itself. A man named
Brady, who knew my wife's family in Ireland
and visited at my house, engaged a passage,
and was cleared out in the brig Blues for Rio
de Janeiro. Pitying my distress, and at my
earnest request, he negotiated with a sailor,
whom I never knew by any other name than
Sam, to conceal me on board. I quitted my
wife on the evening of the 18th unprovided
with anything, save the clothes on my back,
and was received on board by Sam - I lay that
night in the long boat, and at day break was
removed to the coal hole by Sam, where I found