Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-10-05

Y is
La Description Of the Island of
ot. Helena.
From Sir Geo. Staunton's Account oil
:; Lord Macartney's Embassy to China.
| St. Helena lies in the southern part
of the Atlantic Ocean, distant many de.
grees of longitude and latitude from any
continent or other island, and may be
considered as the summit of "a great
mountain, whose roots are buried in the
bottom of the sea. Above its surface the
island rises in towering eminences, hid
frequentlyin the clouds. The ashes Of
a volcano cover still some parts of it
and the whole has probably been protrud-
ed upwards by tie immense power OF
subaqucous fire. However, no part Of
the island hitherto examined, seems to
have undergone any degree of iquefao-
ton. No layers of minerals, and few Of
stone, have been discovered in its bow
els. The summit of the island is wood
ed but is so cold, that fruits will
scarcely ripenin it. Clear rills of wa.
ter issue from the higher peaks, and
take their course abruptly down towards
the vallies, which they contribute to fer
tiIize. Storms are little known in the
immediate neiehborhood OF this island.
Thunder is rarely heard. or lightning
perceived in It; from whence it is con-.
iIeetured, that Ettle electric matter is
scattered in It's atmosphere.
The circumference OF St. Helena nea-
sures somewhat less titan twenty eight
miles. Along the whole coast to lee
ward, or to the ncrthward, slips may
anchor with perfect security in all sea
|sons of the year /; but the bank shelves
so abruptly afterwards, that the anchor
Iage, being in deep water, is Insecure.
The tide seldom rises above three feet
and a. half; but the surge of the sea il
tremendous: and several &C
cidents happened in approaching or quit
ting the shore, until a wharf was erected
lately, which renders tie arrival there,
land departure from it, perfectly safe.
This little spot was discovered up
wards of two centuries age by the Por-
!tuguese. 1t was taken from them by tie
English /; surprised FROM the latter BY
Ifhe Dutch and lastly, recovered by
1.-THE English likewise by surprise. The
| steep eminences which intervene be-
Tween the yaIlies, that are the chief
seats Of population, render tee camma-
|nication from ole part ot the isiaiid to
Ianother slow and .dimcnlt.-isIanters Oh
the windward side of the Island consi-
Ter journey to the leeward or seat OF
government, as a serious undertaking.
several oil them take that opportunity Of
Ipaying their respects to tie Governor,
which is called tnere, sometimes golag
Ito court. There are at ot. iieiena,
planters who have not II ayeiled so iaF.
At present, by order OF the Gqvernour,
there are signals so placed all over the
Island, as to give instant notlce OF the
approach OF vessels to any part Of it.
The situation OF st. tieiena, in the
track of the ships from India aid China
ito Europe, induced the Directors of the
East India Companyto turn their atten-
ton towards rendering it a place OF con-
venieuce and comfortable refreshment,
in their passage home. This
has been effected at no inconsGersble ex-I
pense. Before the island was Inhabited,
the spontaneous productions that it yield
ed, which could be OF any use to man,
are said to nave been little more than
celery and purslain. Cattle. fruits and
vegetables have since been iRtrstnced
into it from India, Africa, and Europe
and human industry has, in alittle time
enabled it not only to supply sufflclent
provisions forts ordinary sojourners, but
to afford refreshments oi most kinds for