The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-04-03
INTERESTING LETTERlFROM
THE SOUTH SEA.
TFyTRAcr
U. S. SLnnp YIN pr,rnr

=. ,. sLooP OF War PEACOCK, }
Possaeto, Otcahcitt, Aug. is, 1926. {
/ BY my several letters from Limg
and Guayaqoil, you were informed of
our contemplated cruise among the
South Sea Islands, for the protection oil
our extensive whale fishery in this re-
mote quarter of the globe. According
~, on the 9th ofJune, we sailed from
Guayaquil, and on the 3oth took our de-
parture from ST. Flora, ian island AT the
entrance OF the bay) aud on the 18th Ju-
ly anchored in Essex Bay, Charles' Is
land, one of the Galapagos, and so
correctly described by Commodore
Porter, in his Journal, that nothing is
left Tor the anxious voyager who follows
hlm. Novelty, and a desire to get a
stock OF tortoises, prompted us 10 an
chor at this Island, both of which OBJ
lects being fully accomplished in four
days, (havng taken upwards of 800 ter
rapins on board) on the 8th, we put 10
sea, shaping a course for the Washing
ton Groupe Tor Marquesas Islands, stu
ated in 40 deg. West Longitude, and
about 9 deg of South latitude and, ON
the 22d, anchored in Massachusetts Bay,
Madison Island, having PERFORMED the
passage in less than IS days, during
which time the ship actually ran over
three thousand two hundred miles, av-
eraging more than 200 miles per day, in
low South latitude, and under circum-
stances not the most favourable for her
best sailing. At Massachusetts Bay we
remained eight days, during which time
the ship was visited by almost the Whole
population Of that part of the ISLAND
Their surprise and admiration appeared
Unsuitable : nor was il un.ii long ate,
the ship was under way, that the KIM
and many Of his subjects, took their f.
nal leave ofthe Peacock. There were
nunerous applications among the young
men to accompany us to America, tw,
OF whom we now have on board, ano
may, probably, crafty you with sigh
Of them.
Massachusetts Bay, YOU will remem,
her, is the port Commodore Porter oc.
cuped with the Essex, and her prizes
during the late war, his transaction!
thereat comprising several chapters o
bis very interesting and useful Journal
1t is, therefore, natural to suppose, tina
every American naval officer must be
highly gratifed in reviewing seen,
; rendered conspicuous in history by tn,
: unwearled gallantry and consumate skill
of a brother officer. The rampant
I of Fort Madison are still visible, anc
the wall that encompassed Porter's cam,
remains, though in dilapidated state
but the name of Porter will live in tn,
recollect or of he Nooaheevians, lon,
! IS memory serves them. 1t was, in
deed, most gratifying triumph, TO hea
these unciyIlized people expressing thei
grateful acknowledgements for Porter
Z kindness towards them, and the man
inquiries made for him, all wishing t,
. know why he did not 90 back, and if b,
does not intend to visit them aga in
+ But of Nooaheevah, | have neither tim
! nor space to say more at present
therefore, will change the scene.
r On the Isl inst. we left Nooaheeyah
: and steering a little out of the track O
circumnavigators, i'll the hope of maxim,
: some new discoveries, on the morning
Of the fourth day out, Unexpectedly made
an Island, which, not bong on any o
our charts, we supposed To be a discov
cry. The natives, however, appeared
on the beach, and invited us 10 land
" @ sent a boat to communicate will
them, and found them perfectly friendly
and disposed to traffic their pearls anc
shells for cotton manufactures bur, a,
we are not traders, we left them in pos
session of their richeS.-This island i,
called by the inhabitants Mowo, anc
had been before visited by an American
or English ship.
'On the morning Of the 9TH, the higl
Island, Oteaheiti, was visible from the
deck, and, in the afternoon, we took a
pilot off = oint Venus, and the next day
anchored in Matavia bay, place cele-
| Didltu III AilS WY dGEs vi w dlldCt,
Cook, DC. &c. Matayia is now one of
| the regular missionary stations of Tahi-
ii, Of which there are nine at present on
this island. Soon after anchoring, the
Rev. Mr.. Wilson, who has charge of the
Matavia district, accompanied by two of
the principal chiefs, came on board to
welcome our arrival, which they hailed
as new era, the Peacock being the on
| w American man-of-war ever here.
The two successive days, we were ylsi-
ted by the several dignitaries of the dis
trict, among whom was the Chief Jus.
tee, whose name is Paryor. He is a
man remarkable for his size and stature,
weighing not less than three hundred
weight. As far as can judge, his in
tellect is not out ofproportion. He is
well educated-is very fond of talking,