Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-19
THE POTOMAC AT THE SANDWICH
ISLANDS


Ship Potomac, at sea, Oct. 1882, communica-
ted for the n. Y. Daily Advertiser.
We made the island Of Oahu on the 22I of Ju.
", but as We had head wind, did not drop our
anchors in Honolulu Roads until near night fail
on the Esd Before we came to anchor we were
boarded by some Of the foreign residents. A..
though il was Sabbath on shore, II was Monday
with US, as we make day in cIrcumnavigating
the globe this way and Com. Downes deferred
changing the time until we should arrive on our
station al Valparaiso.
As We entered the harbor, the town Of Honou.
lu presented a lovely aspect. II was much
larger than had expected to fluid it. and sa.
cred repose seemed to rest upon the whole place:
not an individual could be seen stirring Groves Of
nut trees lined the beach, herds OF cattle were
seen grazing OH the SUBMITS of the mountains,
and hocks Of goats in the fertile valles.
On the 24Ih the British aud American Con-
suls visited the ship, and at noon we exchanged
salutes with the fortress in town. On the 25th
! the Commodore called on the authorities OF the
place, leaving the ship in fine style, With the
Commodore's gig at the head with his broad pen
dant flying. Thousands Of natives awaited the
landing. and several gentlemen who received Us
on the shore conducted us to the Consulate
There we pariouk Entertainments, and then pro-
ceeded to visit the Regent: the king being absent
at Mauri Our call was stuff and formal; the
queen regent appeared very we'll: it any thing
too ceremonious. The general, of whom Mr..
Stewart speaks, as having something Of The pn-
llsh Of the Court of st. James, Was in reaiy very
polite, and showed his gaIantry bv conducting
US to the hall Of audience. Two chiefs we're pre-
scented there: Gov. Adams, aud think the Gov.
ernOr oi Mani
We there met several gentle men of the Mis-
sion; Messrs. Bingham. DIbble, JnhnstOne,
Chamberlain and DR.. Judd, M,ssrs. Whitney,
Alexander and Tinker had set "ff Tor the Society
and Marquesas Island, only da, or two before
our arrival. After ceremonies were over, we
proceeded to partake of an entertainment pro.
vided by the Consul aud the other gentlemen
On my next visit to the shore, mad highly
wards, accompanied by one Of them, called at
the residences OF the chiefs.
was surprizrd to find 50 deep feeling with
respect to religion; they expressed themselves
! in the aarmest and strongest terms, and IN such
"a manner as 10 persuade one that they are real,
sincere Christians.
On the Sabbath had the long wished for graft
| ifica,iOn OF witnessing service performed W ma
tive styIe. Com Dow mes s. several of his officers
were present A sermon Was preached by Mr.
| Bingham, and the strirtesi attention was paid to
his discourse by the congregation. which proba.
| DIV approached nearly To 5000. | VAS much
charmed with the singing, which was So fine as
| 10 produce an unexpected thrill through my
| frame, and to compel me to rise and unite my
| voice with those OF the natives: the tunes being
| such as had been familiar with in America
Mr.. Greer, the chaplain Of the Potomac, acting as
interpreter, and was told that his remarks were
very well received.
About fifteen minutes after the close OF the
service anusher was held in the English language.
In sabbath school for native children found
only 80 or 20 scholars; it being the period Of va.
cation among the day schools. some Of the chill.
dren were absent. An address was made by
one OF the American visitors, during which 81.
lence prevailed that would have rendered au.
dlbe the dropping OF a pin. A bible class, un.
der the direction of Mr.. Chamberlain. has be.
tween 100 and 200 members, many Of whom had
very intelligent cOuntenances. and all of whom
gene rally showed much interest IN the lesson
Manv pertinent answers were made to questions,
which were put to them, and several questions
were asked by them much to the point. Com
Downes came in, and through Mr.. Bingham
made very encouraging address to the scholars.
In the afternoon native service was much like
tina, Of the morning. On Wednesday two cou-
plies were married, and the ceremony was con-
Quoted with great propriety.
Towards the close of the week the king return.
ed from Mauri with his train; and, lew
days after, an entertainment was given on board
the Potomac, by Com. Downes, to the king. the
chiefs aud the mission family. The day was one
Of ceremony and parade. All the officers we're
in full uniform, and every one appeared in high
spirits. The chiefs and governors Of the islands
who proceeded the king on board. were all neatly
and we'll dressed. When the king came over the
gangway. the marine corps presented arms, q
few rolls were beat upon the drums, and then
the band struck up lively tune. A salute Of
81 guns was soon after fired.
The King was dressed 10 full uniform, with
ehapeau, ePauletts, sword, and . gold star on
the breast, and the most distinguished chiefs wore