Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-08-24
From The Raleish (N O. Register.
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION

10 hfEiSfCT.
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION
The following extracts with which we have been "a
vofed, arc from letter written by an Officer Of the
squadron to his sister, residing Ia this city Although
never intended for the public eye we think they will
BE- found TO possess much interest, no, only as convey
ING some insight into lands comparatively unknown,
bot as also containing the latest intelligence, from this
important and interesting expedition.
January, 1871.
My las, letter, despatched fortnight, since inform
Oh you Of my being about 10 be landed on ono of the
low Coral Isles Of the dangerous Archipelago. This
ono, Car!sheg, selected, and on the IG,h Deem
Ter ! len the vessel, and took up my residence on
shore, erecting tents iot myself and party boats were
employed the Two following days, in landing the Appa-
taus, PROVISIONS tools, &c. On the 18Th, received
my final instructions, and tho Brig sailed to be absent
hriy or forty days. My duties here consist in super
intending the boring Of the earth--not for waier-but
procure data to assist the scientific in accounting for
tie formation of these lses and in making hourly Ii
Gal and Thernomotrical observations
The Island, is narrow belt of land surrounding a
lagoon OF some thirty miles in circumference, into
"hich there are two narrow entrances mpracticable
oF shps; cur boats came into one of them, it being
impossible TO land the outside on account of the
surf, and the Brig lay of under sail there being no
anchorage. The population is as follows able
bodied men, aged and one crippled ditto , old wo-
men, 3 young ditto; | girl Of H. and children, all
boy1 Their staff OF life IS fish and pumpkins besides
tey have cocoanuts, though not abundant and they
cultivate tobacco and bananas. These people were
originally Of Tahiti, but why they should have lel,
here, 10 live on an Island far Inferior, do not at
present know enough Of their language ascertain
They are quite expert IN building hOnses, and | had
them employed three or four days making mo one
The frame consists Of posts planted in the ground,
t,g1o 1,.l H.
ways, and the whole covered in with mats woven OF
the Cocoa leaves, of which also the carpeing made
for the ground floor Mine is the largest house on the
ls.and-lruc there are but four ohers-and It me
etacNy fourteen iathOms Of tassa which is in plain
English, one piece of Calico. Ny party consists Of 4
seamen belonging 10 the Big, 9 Sandwich islanders,
lsmpped at OahuD and my servant. Though could
but Ut spare the time, determined to make holiday
OF part OF Christmas day, so | had my pig killed, and
invited every soul the Island dine with me, init
mating that should be glad if they would bring their
own tread in the shape ofyunyki The pig or rath-
hog, for It weighed least 60 lbs was cooked ma
tive fashion; which | will now describe 10 YOU A
hole IS dug IN the ground foot deep, Is filed with
dty wood among which stones scattered, and
whist killing the pig, the pile IS gnited when all the
wood is consumed and the stones left heated the pig
Is laid upon them and covered with broad caves, and
Tea the loose earth, taken OF the hole, heaped
Oh; 70 proven. any escape Of steam. Alter about two
hours The pile IS opened, and the pig is found perfectly
clean, and really delicioualy cooked. Now all this
might be done at home, but have idea Of tbs most
expeditions way Of disposng Of go lbs Of fresh pork,
$ absolutely necessary you should make ,isi, TO
The South Seas for my pen inadequate TO the task
OF informing YOU, how ravcnously the natives eat
Iflv may II be said OF them, they 60 the whole hog.
One Of my discomous is, that cannot bum Ugh, 10
my house but have 10 81 every evening IN a we'll
closed tent 10 avoid particular kind Of az which
sbounds here, and which rom sad experience, have
found possesses AL tho yeslcaung properties 81 the
Spanish Fly ], was in the early plr, Of Nav last,
Nat our copyrighted squadron made the Isl Of tie IL
ger Islands group which consists Of near three hum
cred Islands, 10 a space lulc more than hundred
miles square; most Of these inhabited by Saylsos,
who aye in most Instances Caubals. Al. were % De
s-reycd ant were accordingly app1Fi.oaei on, 20 the
efgieul ships some Of which were % seek anchola-
ees and send oul boat expeditions while oiaere were
u lie lcp, moving. Oihe latter was the Porpo.so and
" 81 nv cruising, ihe icebefgs tho contrary n1i-
outstanding, have never passed through so many
eahgen wa had 30 charts 10 be relied o. and The
eefs. tee,s would seem actually 90 spring up around
~ but though many times 90 Glove % them that %
heule1 impossible o. escape 10 NC stranded only ol
oas occasion DAD tho keel o Tie bag touch. and Aat
va az Egdt Walls, surveying The sma'. Der islands }
vac despatched Ia Tie Launch with oae tae Cuuers.
70 efeumua,gao and survey lae Island OF lom9.amo
Lao - .,a a native tLlcf Of some consideration.
panty a. hostage, partly as tie means ol procuring
'-H4es and farther, pilot. R.I-lOw -3lw was O.
Inc fellow. Tai, wcl. formed. large mo1,,acue ana
Nsirg Lair Tie arrangement OF which was 80 system
'e 'Asi % seemed as d each particular hair had been
re s1-e-t Of SOM moments labor, A. my fret land
e oa ule Island q Lono.olno, me ua,tes Nefe col
'''e- ca re ptagA ~ Us a-ce! Of any, eall siIee