Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-25

Islands" That named, by Mendano, Santa Cruz ht
denominated Egmont Island
The next navigator, Of whom we have auy account
OF visiting those islands, Admiral D'Entrecaseaux
lie sailed along the south side of the Santa Cruz had
scuiie with the natives, in which one Frenchman was
scratched with arrow the forehead, aud died a
poison.
lie did not visit the islands of the group more 10 the
eastward called in the charts Pitts Island of the Pam
DORA Curry Island Edgecombe Island, and five other
small islands, not laid down in any chart. Curry and
Edgecombe Islands are the Whanoo and Paiou OF
the Fucopians. The Malicolo Of captain Cook is dis
tant by the charts, from Tucopa e65 miles, and the
Macoio OF the Tucopans is distant from their island
one hundred and fifty five miles. The great island
Santa Cruz the Tucopians call Tonianco. This name
is mentioned in Quiros's voyage of 1905
The sandal wood was first discovered on the Feeiee
Islands oy sailor named Oliver Slater, who was
wrecked there In a brig bound from Maco to Port
Jack son or by the eastern passage He got from the
Feejee to rongataboo Of tue Friendly Islands in
canoe, where he Joined an American furrer bound 10
The N: w. cast OF that country From there he pro-
ceeded to Manila, and made known his discovery to
the late Captain Farroll, of that port who fitted out
4 ship called the Fair American, which ship touched
at Port Jackson in 1901, proceeded from there TO the
Fee]ees, loaded with sandal wood, and sailed for
Canton. The sandal wood is confined 10 one island
which much frequented by American ships a few
vessels from Calcutta, Penang, and Port Jackson
from the above period to 1912. The Hunter sailed
from there in 1914 having procured but little sandal
wood After the Hunters departure the islands were
not visited until 1919, at which time two American
vessels within short period of each other touched
there. After their departure, the islands were moi
visited until January. 1925, at which time anchor
ed IN the Calder, in Sandal Wood Bay, and after a
stay of three weeks procured about 50Olbs of sandal
wood; whereas had in the space oftime in 1908
| procured $50 tons OF that valuable wood. | never
knew instance or heard of one Port jackson YES
sci having been lost missing that went to the
Feejees after sandal wood The American brig Eliza
Captain Corey, with 10000 Spanish dollars on board
arly IN Tu,i
sci wrecked at the Feeees from the time the sandal
wood trade commenced, until left il in 1925 sail
ed from Sandal Wood Bay late in January for the new
RI ebrides, and in few days after anchored AT Port
Resolution in the island of Tanna II apneared m
me that ship had been there since Captain Cool,
left If, believe in 1873. found fey old men on
the Island who could pronounce the name Captain
Cook and Mr. Wales, the astronomer. very pIa nly
found two three small pieces sandal wood amonp
these people They Informed me by signs and gestures
that there was none on their island, which thew called
ltten but that The neighbouring island Of Erron.
anso there was abundance. | got of Capt. Cook, IS
medals at Port Resolution, and saw only one small
bit OF iron with the people Of Tanna. proceeded TO
Erromango and anchored the lee west side of il
in an open bay It appeared TO be very thinly iphab
tied; several of the natives swan off to the vessel
/ treated them kindly and made them presents The
next morning l sent boat well manned and armed
! TO procure wafer a small fresh water river p-o
ceeded with another boat, well manned and armed to
/ sound the bay. heard firing of musae.s at some
distance up the river and supposipg my people we're
attacked, proceeded 20 their assistance. We met with
the watering party having bctaeD tbe,asey as TO Tie
boat coming out OF Inc river warmly pressed by sever
al OF the natives dischargiug and spears and
throwing stones from sings, among our PEOPLE in the
boat, TIL at length we compelled TO fire from both
boats, and. after smart reDcontre, they deemed il
eXpedIen TO retreat During the hustle of the Skin.
ms water bucket had been lost aud soon after our
hring had ceased, native approached with his thigh
lacerated by OF shot bearing the bucket " e
had missed; he came fearlessIy forward to the boat
and handed it TO if nothing had previously hap
peDed 1t here Captain Cook anchored on the
east size of the island, and landed with two boats the
crews of which most furously assaiied by the
natives and Notwithstanding the precauiion that had
been adopted. IN order TO coDciate their suspicious
aud insure their friendship, self defence urged them
10 resort TO the only alternative left, and the conse<
Guence was that several of the Erro!nancoes were
killed and wounded. From these Two circumstances
have cited, from the many opportunities have had
OF personally making every possible enquiry Bdepen-
dent OF the collateral testimony of others with whom
have conyersed this subject nav safely asseyt
without mourning the hazard of contradiction that tho
natives OF New lIebrides by many shades further
remov ed from civ iZation and that their general dis
position indicates more permanent attachment tc
barbarous feelings and habits, than has hitherto beer
found in any part of the South If further proc
OF his were necessary, man! curious facts might b.
adduced which would obviate every suspicion. Tb,
following will speak for themselves The people al
luded TO, are insensibe of every thing like deca
cy, which is 10 be found in a greater or less degre
in almost every island of The South Sea, that tbos,
parts OF the human body which almost always
cealed from view, are completely exbosed bv the
males, and that boes in the earth or caverns anlopgs
the rocks serve for their babiaons With respect tc
The Sandal Wood found it growing in abundance
close TO The margin of tie sea- consequently, it was
with much reluctance felt obliged 10 leave tue island
finding 1t impossible TO establish any thing like a
friendly intercourse with the natives
wiii he rccoIiccci that La Pcrousc lost 1t Fort dc
tfanrasa Oh the north west coast Of America ia the early
part voyage, three boats and crews which were
upset III surf on crossing baT amongst the unfortunate
sufferer ms nephew paid the debt of nature he also los
Capt De Lamgle, and several officers the Navigator
Islands therefore ,at that period he have been rae
short OF ocers and is probable that those who hat
escaped from the frgair, wrecked at Painw embarked ii
the small vessel built there. 1t would then be very unlike
y that the sailors left behind, who knew nothing Of
cation, could possibly attempt voyage Port Jackson
a Aacoo canoe Another thing is, the natives of tht
south Sea Islands, whenever they get European amOn
them possessed Of muskot aud gunpowder will never
low him to depart from their sa uds, he being terror
their enemies have known numerous instances OF thi
nature 10 occur various islands on the Pacific. W.
have no account on record Of any large ships being
lost at c same time, unless ifwere those under the
mand of La Perouse. Do not the Tucopans, Martin Blu