Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-14
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
RICHARD RUSH.
The present able and efficient Secretary Of the Teau-
ry-and fearless advocate Of the Interests
and Honour of his Country
NORTH WEST HANNAH,
TALE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN

TALE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
The Sandwich islands, famous in the COM
mercial world on account of their sandal wood,
and tho facilities afforded by them to vessels
trading in tho Pacific, for obtaining recruits;
and in the religious world, on account Of the
missionary labours extended toward thom,
we're q few years ago, never visited by those
ships which are engaged in the whale fishery.
Now, however, tho commodous harbor Of
Woahoo presents a lively picture Of the enter
prize Of the inhabitants of Nantucket, Mar
tha's Vineyard, New Bedford and Wales in
Great Britain, in q large feet Of whale ships
which are annually anchored there for the
purpose of reftting, coopering their oil, and
obtaining supply Of water, vegetables and
live stock while ever and anon proud North
west-man or East India trader ventures among
these rude and greasy leviathan hunters.
At such times, the more polished officers OF
the merchant ships club together make and re-
ceivs visits amongst themselves, disdaining as
sociations with The less refined commanders Of
the former vessels. If however they find their
circle too limited. rather than forego the pleas
ures Of good song and companionship over
the exhilarating bottle, they deign to mnge
with the more respectable part Of the ''greasy
| jackets"
The disposition Of the natives of these is.
| lands, is placable in the extreme, and they
evince too great readiness to adopt the GUS
tom and practices ofthe whites who visit them.
Our clothing finds ready sale, provided it be
| new, clean, and fashionable. Ornament finds
its votaries, and bright buttons enhance the
value ofevery article of dress. When attired
in our costume, they frequently present a gro
tesque or fanciful appearance, sufficient to pro-
woke the risiblcs Of stranger. 1t is not unu-
sual to see a native fourshing in an elegant
| broad cloth coat, destitute Of shirt and every
other additional covering, except the radical
badge Of modesty, TO which they scrupulously
adhere. Universal prostitution is the charac-
terstic Of the females, and the other sex use
this delinquency as a source of pecunary
gain.
The climate is warm, and the soil produc-
tive, which ena bles its lords to live in idlsness
and dissipation. Swimming is natural to them,
and in the day time, the harbor is covered
with youths of both sexes, voyaging and spor-
ting on the surface Of the waters. Sweet po-
| tatoes, bananas, yarhs, melons, cocoa nuts,
tarrow, plantains, and sugar cane, are obtained
at a cheap rate from the natives. Hogs may
be bought at reasonable price, as the ma
tives prefer dogs flesh to pork. Their chiefs
appear to be chosen on account Of their bulk,
the only qualification which appears necessary
to form such dgnitary; and, understand a
large number Of the youth are always pre-
pairing and fattening for that express purpose.
| On account of the maratime character OF
this plsce,it is saturally to be supposed that
many whites are to be found upon the island
at all times. Several grog shops ornament the
town; and billiard table whiles away the te-
diousness Of time, for such as are sufficiently
respectable to gain admttance into the circle
Of gamblers. Tho cabins Of the natives arc
bull, Of poles thatchsd, and occasionally plas-
tered with mud.
Ere the enterprizo and necessities OF the
hardy sons of the ocean, had urged thcm to
oxtend their trackless way across the Pacific
and had strewed its western confines with can
vass wings; one solitary ship had stored her
course for the coast Of Japan, in hopes of OBJ
tsining a reader supply Of oil.
Her stay at woahoo had been short. and on
the last day Of her durance, she had boon beat
ing off the hsrbor in waiting for her captain,
who was on shore settling his harbor fees, and
! taking bis last carouse until the returning soa-
son should restore him to the society Of his
brother bacchanals.
As the evening shades eloomod around, the
light whale boat might bo discerned, pushing
its rapid way through the breakers foam, bear
ing off to his vessel the bold commander, who
continually urged HE rowors TO rcdoublc their