The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-04-07
CoAsr OF Japan, August 16, 1872

COAST OF JAPAN, August l6, 1924. /
compressed with a strong belief that great
numbers of sperm whales existed among the
numerous islands in the Pacific, generally
known as the Society, Friendly, Fejee and
Caroline's Island, resolved to spend three
months among these islands | steered first
to the Society Islands, where proposed to
stop in order to procure wood and water.
The island selected for the purpose is cal
led Eimoe, and lies 20 mile West OF Otahelte
entered harbour Oh the North side of the
!, island, which is not to be surpassed for ac
cess and safety, by any harbour in this ocean.
| took my ship ? miles up this beautiful har-
Dor fentirely and-looked) and tied her to an
| oLdtree. The scene that surrounded me
was truly romantic. The shores were GOV
cred with all kinds Of Tropical fruit such as
oranges, lemons lines, cocoanuts pine-ap- I
pies, bananas, and plaintains. The beautiful
mountains which encompass the harbor, and
exhibit lofty and majestic appearance with /
in quarter of a mile from the shore, and
gradually ascend to the height Of $500 feet,
covered with trees, from the bottom to the |
top found the natives much more civilized
than had anticipated.
There are at Eimco, 5 missionary faml-
lies from England, who apparently live up
to their profession. | tined or supped with
them almost every day during my stay; and
was treated with great kindness and hospi-
talitv; but YOU will be surprised when tell
: you there is scarcely a native in the place,
but what can read or write. They have
) passages OF scripture printed IN their Ian
guage, and also hymn books, which some OF
them can read as well as can ours. lay
here one Sunday and went to their church,
where found assembled about or 500 ma
all pnt1,, stll la
:. lnatives) wore bonnets of their own man
ufacturng. There was as much good order
y and regularity in their worship and partlc-
! ularly in singing hymns and pslams as you
:. will generally find in our churches.
, Having procured every necessary, lweigh-
ed anchor on the 25th. of December, and
u proceeding to the westward among the
u Friendly Islands. On the Sd. of February
It 1924, discovered three islands, and as they
= are not laid down on my chart, or i'll any
: book have on board, believe them to be
i a new discovery; i'll consequence of which
at | have given them the following names: viz
&c Elizabcth's Island, lat, 81 06 5. lon. l7S &c
w. Eunic's Island, lat u 0S 5. Ion. 178 AZ
w. Macy's Island, lat. 90 So 5. lon l78 AZ
at w. The land of these islands is very low
e. and the navigation dangerous, as they are
,c surrounded with coral reefs which extent
!, some distance from them. The islands are
- inhabited, and are covered with cocoanut ant
9 other trees.
b. Several natives of the Friendly Islant
a came along side of my ship, their only obiec
. appeared to be trade, as they never express
ed anv desire to get on board. AS soon al
y they had finished their business, they re
CT turned to their shores, apparently mucf
a. pleased. They resemble the Sandwich Isl
anders in their complexion; but are III STATE
of nature, with the exception of a few leave
tied around them. They appear to be yer,
friendly, cheerful and pleasant. | observ
ed several other Islands, but had no inter
course with them.
,rs The next Island stopped at, was nca
ho the Feiees, and known by the name of Roiu
,;s nah. Several of the natives came OH boalt
" to trade, and at one time / had on my mai
ny deck about 3 or 4U0 of them. / stretched
line across the deck, and suffered no on
(except my officers and crew. to so abait il
IRE | placed, abreast of my cabin gangway, tw
~. machines which if put in opperaton, woul
have wounded. the whole of them in an IN
e'- stant;--howevcr | had no occasion to max
ire use of them. After being there days, an
lily being we'll assured of their friendly dispo
ve- sition, accepted the invitation OF their Kin
asst to go on shore.
90 On landing, was Immediately surrounde
-
ole gether from mere curiosity. The king too
CHI me by the hand and conducted me to his pal
ne ace, which was large hut, thatched on til
,n outside, and neatly dressed in the inside wit
mats. The king introduced me to the quee
o'e who was apparently much pleased with M
ore | was seated OH a clean mat and famed b
ay. a woman on each side of me. The quce
on. spread table, which was large woode
,,st tray. and had meal prepared for me in
H.. mcdiately.
her The tray was spread with leaves. and I'll
I'd meal consisted of yams bread fruit tarroN
ing fish, cocoanuts, and other dishes, which wei
nth all prepared under the immediate inspectit
.;u of the queen. She handed me each dish, sci
w erately in a green leaf, taking care not
ave touch her finger to either: she even handt
tell me the cocoanut in a leaf never tasted
low sweeter meal and ate quite heartily.
cen After dinner lighted segar, which nut
and astonished them, as smoking is not practi
H.. ed among them. They appeared to be nut
just surprised at my being so zchne, and some
s to them.reachcd over three OF four others
so touch ME with their fingers. After smo
us; ing scgar, returned to my boat which