Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-04-30
TRISTAN D'ACUNHA.

1 TRISTAN u Az ONI1As
! EXTRACT OF A LETTER ATED CALCUTTA
s.The next circumstance that presents
Itself TO my memory, was our touching at
Tristan D'Acunha, apparently the largest
and most fertile, of group ofthree islands
which are situated between the Cape of
/ Good Hone and the coast of Brazil. Tri-
stan D'Acunha Is about s leagues in cir
cumferrence. The shores of the other ISL
lands are so wild and dangerous, that it is
impossible to approach them except IN the
|caImest weather. The one Is called Night
Incale Island, and the other inaccessible.
1 The northeast aspect of Tristan D'Acun-
[ ina lthe only uayigable side Of the Island is
/ very striking AT the foot Of an almost
nerpendicnlar mountain about 5000 feet
high, and thickly covered with brushwood
is a fertile plain We had scarcely cast
anchor, before two men IN a small boat
were seen fastening towards US. When
arrived on board they expressed the lvel
lest pleasure at our arrival, as no ship had
I touched there for many months. They in
formed MS that they We're the only men re-
sidngo the island, 81 that the wife of one Of
I them was the only female inhabitant; the
I husband was IN England, and was at one
period of his life a respectable and veal
I thy farmer In Yorkshire; but having been
utterly ruined by long train of mIsfor
tunes, he and his wife were persuaded by
am old acquaintance, the captain of a mer-
chant ship, to accompany him, passage free
TO New Holland, and try their fortunes In
that distant colony. The ship having coca
sion to touch at Tristan d'Acunha, the far
mer and his wife were so charmed with Its
appearance, that they determined to re-
main ON the island, instead of proceeding
on their voyage. After vainly urging them
to the contrary, the captain literally sup.
Piled with a quantity of European seeds,
two cows, a few sheep, and poultry, and
such other provisions as the ship could
afford Being pressed for time, he soon
babe them melancholy farewell, and left
them TO their fate. There was not human
being on heisland except themselves; but
10 was evident that persons had resided
there some months before, as they found
q decent hut ready for their reception, and
several acres ofland bore traces of recent
cultivation. Our Adventures had been
nearly a year on the island when a Dutch
trader was compelled to touch there for
supply of fresh water, and one of the crew
being prosecuted by the Captain, conceal
ed himself ON the Island until the depar
ure of the vessel He was kindly recev
ed by the Yorkshire farmer, and had re-
manned with him to the period Of our arrI-
val.-Ihe Dutchman, however, was now
weary of thelle he had held at Tristan d.
Acuha, and enreated our captain to let
him work out his passage to Calcutta as
common sailor. No objection being made
T. 90 his request. the man seemed as pleased
as If he had escaped from a prison. He
expressed, nevertheless, considerable re-
gret at parting with his companions, to
whom he was evidently much attached
After presenting the farmer with a few d.
musing books, some woollen chothes,
barrel or two of gunpOwder, and a supply
of flour. rice, and biscuit, we accompan-
led him on shore, aud were delighted with
tine air of comfort and prosperity around
his little dwelling. His wife, a good look
ing woman, very neatly dressed, met us
at the doorway. Inreply to our questions,
thev assured us. that as they had no chill
dreu and few relatives. they had not the
slightest desire 10 return to England for
some years; but when the nhrmlties of
age came heavily upon them, they should
gladly quit their solitary abode at the FIRST
opportunity, and spend the evening of eX
istance I'M their native country. They
were now, however, IN the prime Of life.
and perfectly contented with their lot
With am honest pride they listened to our
expressions of surprise at the hourishlng
condition of the land they had cultivated.
The climate being remarkably temperate.
and the soil light, they had brought to per
lection a variety of fruits and vegetables.
both tropical and European, which, per
haDs, were never before seen mingled to-
ge.her ON the same spot of earth. In
their farm yard they had the two COWS be
fore mentioned, a considerable number Of
English pigs, sheep, and goats, with poul-
uy enough, If necessary, to supply their
table daily. They seldom, however, xii
led any of these, as wild bears, wild goats,
and species of blackjack, abound on
the Island; while in the deep waters a
moug the rocks there are fish of almost
every description. The mountains are liter
ally covered with sea-hens, petrels, albat-
rosses. and the various other feathered
tribes which haunt the southern Atlantic.
As seals are very plentiful, our islanders