The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-09-28
From the Boston Transcript.

IHE OURAEG OUTANG. This singular ami
mai, oil whom all have heard, and so much has
been said and written, but of whom SO little is
certainly known, promises to afford source of
much conversation, SO soon as the preparations
TOR exhibiting the one lately imported are COM
Pleted The Ourang Outang brought to this
port in the ship Octavia, Capt. Blanchard, in
the year 1925, was native of Borneo, from
whence he was carried to Batavia, and falling
into possession of Mr.. Forester, of that place,
he was sent consigned to Mr.. Charles Thatch-
er OF this city, but he died on the first night
after his arrival. He was three feet and a half
high. DR.. Jeffries, who has described him, re.
lates the following account of his habits and
manners -" He was put on board the Oetavia,
under the care of Capt Blanchard, who first
saw him at Mr.. Forrestier's house in Batavia
While sitting at breakfast, he heard soma
one enter a door behind, and found hand pla-
ced Familiarity on his shoulder. On turning
round he was not little surprised to find hairy
negro making an unceremonious acquaintance
George, by which name he passed, seated HIM
self at table By direction of MIR. Forester, and
after partaking of coffee, &c, was dismissed
He kept his house on iship-board, clean, and at
all times in good order; he cleared it out daily
of remnants of food, &c, and frequently washed
1t, being provided with water and cloth for
the purpose. He was clearly in his person and
habits, washing his hands and face regularly,
and In the same manner as a man. He was do
Gle and obedient, fond of play and amuseR ent,
but would sometimes become so rough although
in good temper, as to require correction from
Capt. Blanchard, on which occasions he would
lie down and cry very much in the voice of a
child, appearing very sorry for having given
the offence. His food was rice paddy IN gen.
eral, but he would, and did, eat almost every
thing provided for him. The paddy he some
times eat with molasses, and sometimes with
out, tea, coffee, fruit, &c. which he was fond Of
and was in the habit of coming to the table at
dinner, to partake of wine this was in general,
caret. His mode of sitting was on an
elevated seat, and not on the floor. The direc-
tions given by Mr.. Forester, were, in case of
sickness, to give him castor oil. 1t was admin
istered TO him once on the beginning of his pas
sage, with effeetual relief. He sickened sec
ond time on the latter part of his voyage, and
resisted the attempts of the captain and several
strong men to get the oil into the stomach. He
continued to fail gradually, losing his appetite
and strength until he died, much emaciated,
soon after the ship anchored"
The Ourang Outang is generally supposed
by naturasts to be exclusively an inhabitant
Of the larger Islands of the Indian Ocean and
the opinion that this animal is native of Afr-
ca, has probably originated from the accounts,
related by travellers of the Pongo, an ape of ex-
traordinary magnitude, of whose exploits the
negroes narrate incredible stories. The West
minister Review, however, sanctions belief in
the existence of an Ourang Outang, of whom
the following anecdote is related in late num-
Der of that Journal: The name Of the Ourang
Outang in Africa is Rang Outon, which is be-
lieved TO mean wild man In confirmation Of
the names signifying wild man. the Africans
maintain that there are two races, black and
q white, which they consider as a harmony with
what takes place in the human species, and it is
true, as stated by some old voyagers, that there
is popular opinion that the Ourang Outangss
are men, who refuse to speak, lest they should
be made to work.