davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22
SO

feathers and dirt. After they are pro-
cured, they are separated from feathers
and dirt, are carefully dried and packed.
and are then fit for market. The best
sort are sent to Pckin, for the use of the
Emperor. The labor bestowed to render
them fit for the table is enormous every
feather, every stick, or impurlty of any
kind, is carefully removed and then, al-
ter undergoing many washings and prep
arations, they are made into soft deli
cious jelly; they are likewise served up
in broths and soups they have the rcpu-
tation of being nutritious, and highly
stimulating. The eXtravagant prices Civ
en- for these nests by the Chinese, render
them most expensive article of diet
The sale has become monopoly of the
government in whose dominions they are
found. Meyen, in his voyage round the
world. states, that the japanese had long
ago discovered that these costly birds
nests are nothing more than softencd sea
weed, and that they now prepare the sub
stance itself in an ar;ist-lke manner
IDr. Sigmond, on the Ceylon Moss.
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22
SINGULAR PHENOMENON.

Signs and wonders seem to be rathcrin.
upon these islands. "Thick crowdmg nr.|
cics" might cloud the minds of those incjl.
ed to be tinorous or superstitious--bmD D|
others, they are but additional proof Of the|
power of wondcrworhing Providence.
"A few nights since a most brilliant meteor
was observed passing through the heavens
in southerly direction, emitting sparkIw.
train of light, Of the cIearcst and brightest
hue, and when near the horizon disappear
ing in u shower of lustrous scn,illations,
For the past two months, nearly cycN
vessel from the windward has brought us re-
ports Of the unusually active state of the yo'
cano, accompanied by shocks of earthquakes,
which have extended to the iarthest limit;
Of Maui.
On Monday evening last, at about haI'
past five O'Clock, the singular phenomena
OF the tides, which was observed here oa
the 7th Of November, l837-and EXTENDED
throughout the islands, doing great damage
and occasioning much loss of life, (tor par
tlculars Of which see Hawaiian Spectacle
Vol, l., No. ~ occurred again, but not Oh
so extensive a scale. The water in the har
Dor was observed to be suddenly discoIore'
and breaking like tde-rp. 1t then rus'"'
out rapidly, leaving part of the harbor aD'
all the reef bare. The fall was estimated :"
three feet. This occurred twice within .
few minUtes, before the water resumed I"
ordinaYsh Yshlevel and appearance. Whe'A"
this si' Alar circumstance was confined "
this plhcc, or what is more probable III"
this was but the spent force Of IA wave "A''
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22
THE POLYNESIAN.
SATURDAY, MAY %, lS4I.

The Importance OF making naval station
at these islands, has been repeatedly urged
(upon the American government, and it is Il
Nstep, the utility and necessity of which is
yearly increasing. All the commanders of
the u. S. ships of war who have Of late
visited this Archipelago, have been iorcibIy
impressed with this fact, and it is one which
will be an important feature in their rospec-
tive reports. That the government at home
is beginning to appreciate representations TO
this effect, and to be more fully aware Of the
great amount OF American property and i'll
terests which are in so exposed Il situation
in this ocean, we may infer from the fact
that the Sloop Yorktown, under the com
mand of one of the most active and capable
captains of the navy has been ordered to
cruise throughout Polynesia, with special
view towards the whaling interests. When
we consider the extent Of the field, the dan
gers of the nav CATION, the numerous savage
and hostile tribes, the several semi-civilized
nations SO rapidly rising into existence, the
great number OF islands irequcntcd by Amer-
can shipping, the number Of seaman, ships,
amount of property, all embraced within its
limits, we find that even a much larger force
could be prolitably employed. Instead Of as
it has been in past years, a solitary vessel
occasionally touching az Il few Of the islands
in question, scarcely ahording the sembiancc
of relief or protection to their countrymcn,
or giving countcnance to their commercial
enterprises, six or more suitable vessels
could be advantageous!y engaged in cruises
from New Zealand, and Sydney to these
islands, and thence to the North West Coast
of America, California, and Japan, embrace
ing all the whaling grounds. That number
would be sufficient to allow one to be in each
ofthe principal ports, during the period when
the whalers come in to recruit. A measure
which would be extremely advantageous to
them, in enabling them to preserve better
degree Of discipline among their ships, and
also to receive the best medical attendance.
The St. Louis, Capt Forrest, during his re-
cent cruise to the Washington, Society, and
these islands, was able to afford valuable and
efficient assistance to many American whal-
ers, also to reform several abuses practlsed
towards seamen by the government of the
first mentioned groups. She also secured
six mutineers who attempted to fire their
shin. and takes them to the United States
for trial. AT Tahiti, Capt Forrest by prompt
interference, nipped mutny on board of a
whaleship in its bud, and thus prevented
conse quences which would have been Prelu-
dicial to the owners, and disastrous to the
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22
amount of "a, 600, 80 of American proO.n
as having touched there within that year


One OF the most amusing traits of the h,
tives, particularly to strangers, is their ton
ness for displaying their knowledge, or mo
correctly speaking, their ignorance, Of of,
languages. Little urchIns, with sea-,
years enough over their heads to allow n,
to speak their mother tongue, jump from H.
hind walls, or start from their lurking pIac.
where they have been patiently awaiting fl
approaching pedestrian, and with most .,
iressive grin, salute him in shrill, Soma,
totes, with "dood mornin," or " do
3ite," bon jour-" or "bon soir," a,
then run away with as much happiness .,
pressed in their juvenile countcnances a,]
pecially if the saIutation is returned rs !
they had received Spanish real for tbpl
pains. No matter what is the hour of IND
day-thc I" dood morllin " is as freouen, !
the salutation at sunset, as at any obc
hour, and perhaps the first sound he hear
on taking his morning walk, is dood mite
Once, when it happened to us to be t.ayeDl
ing in Il portion of one of the other island,
not much visited by foreigners, we noticed
man far ahead, who seemed to be awonr !
our approach. As we drew nearer. NJ
made him out tall elderly man Off yeerl
able aspect, sans clothes, and maintain
the attllutc OF Il marine upon duty. His al
pearance and position excited our curio,aI
much, and we determined to find some rJ
planation to the phenomenon. The staueI
OF Mcmnon could not have been more fixed
and silent than hc-puzzle Of puzzles; val
the fellow mad. or had he experienced rfl
fate of Lots wife, and for manitc.tinc h,I
Mnch curiosity in matters beyond his krl
been doomed to remain a curiosity to his I'd
low sinners, TIL sunshine or storm should nj
compassion waste him away. There b
stood. Not a muscle moved-eyes fixed and
bright, but still inmoveable. AT length vel
came opposite the apparition--a hollow sound
fell upon our ears" Good morning, Sir y"
Good morning to you, my venerable, and
he turned upon his heel with a stately mo-
ton, and walked away with as much saI.
faction as if he had relieved his mind from
an awful weight of responsibility.
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22

!,
she cannot fail Of being of essential service,
and that too to a class of American citizens,
whose interests have been more over looked
than those of any other. The following en-
tract from the Southern Literary Messenger
speaks torcibly upon this point.
The whale fishery, that nursery of
American seamen, and prodigy of Yam
kec enterprise, unguarded and defence
loss, pursucs its prey from the coast of
America to Japan on the West, and hunts
it North and South far into either hcmis-y J
phcr. A cruise round the world, for OIL
is not a foreign voyage at least, Mr.. Ed1
itor, so has said a learned Judge. 1t may
be because the ocean is the whaler's homel
But so it is, that Nantucket-men, for the
privilege of fishing among our antipodes,
without being on IA foreign voyage, pay a
large revenue into the Treasury. Towns
and districts are supported by thcm.-I
They annually fish up from the deep.
wealth enough to pay for every nlan-ot-
war in commission. Their trade calls for
hundred thousand tons of shipping, aud
gives employment to more seamen than
the navy of the United States. Yet the
Navy affords no vessel for the special SER
vice of cruising over their grounds :"
with these tishermcll-not q gun to pro-
claim that they are American citizens,
whose country is watchlul Of its interests
and ever ready, with It's strong arm, to
protect them in their lawful pursuits and
to redress their wrongs in every sca.-
The protection they do receive is incidcn-
tai, afforded by mcn-o!-war on their occa-
siouaI voyages of circumnavi aation.--
Twenty thousand iishcrmcu scattered over
the ocean, AID be,ond thc reach Of the
law-why, sir, if could not. as | can,
speak from personal observation, it would
require no brilliant fancy to depict some
of the scenes that are enacted among
them -Outragc--mutiny on board-pll-
agc-ships disablcd-wrccks-the whal-
ing Captain, with IA full cargo, forcing the
crew to descrtion, or landing them on un-
inhabited islands, that he may reap the
benefit of their lag or share of the cargo
the crew, in their turn deserving at sea
Captain who is not IN luck-and, disabling
his ship, steal away his boat at night to
revel in the sunny climes of the South
Sea Islands. The lie of an American
whalcr tells as true tale of dangers
past %
" As ever the dark annals of the deep
Disclosed for man to dread, or woman weep"
Statistics obtained during a three years
cruise among whalers give the startling
result that from casualties peculiar to tie F.
whaling business alone, the loss of life .
during voyage is ten per cent. of men
and officers. If | were called on to point
out useiui service for Il public cruiser,
| could not designate one which would be |.
more grateful to the feelings OF officers,
or useful to the public interests, than that
of carrying relief to distressed seamcn
among the islands of the Pacific, and of
cruising over the "whaling grounds" " to
project the fishermen in their rights. i
The fur trade of the North West Coast /
Of America, formerly so valuable to Amcri- |
can merchants, has been suffered to anguish, |
together with other important commercial
interests there, until they have entirely pass
4.
The Polynesian., 1841-05-22

Notwithstanding all the difficulties incident
upon such an undertaking, American citi-
zens are rapidly directing their attention to-
wards the Oregon, and when government
shall have extended towards them the strong
arm of her power, with the assurance of her
countcnance and protection, the resources
and wealth of this now scarce known Terri
tory, will be speedily developed, and the
number of its population soon entitle 1t to be
ycevcd into the conlederacy.
The attention of the American govern
ment cannot be too often or too iorclbly di-
rectcd towards the rapidly increasing inter-
ests of its citizens in the North Pacific.
The late informal proceedings towards, and
cruel treatment of American citizens on the
part of the Californian government, are alone
sufficient to show the necessity that exists to
have always in this part of the Pacific, a
force sufficiently large to command the res
pcct of all the neighboring powers and also
to sustain her citizens in all lawful enter
prises, against the jcalouses and intrigues of
rival nations.
At this group there are already sixty fami-
lies from the United States, including the
missionaries Of the American Board, and
perhaps as many more formed by inlcrnar-
rage with the natives. The whole number
of Americans here cannot be much short of
six hundred, or at least several hundred
more than those Of all other foreigners of
whatever nation. 1t is principally to their
enterprise and phiIanlhropic cXcrtions that
the present civilization and christianity of
these islands are to be attributed The mis-
slonafes alone have been supported here
sincc the year 10 20, at an expense of about
S3U0,OOJ, Il good portion of which has been
expended in permanent and valuable i'm
prov Ncmcnts, or in work Tor The special ad-
vantage Of the natives.
The amount Of property held by their
countrymen, which may be termed their
floating capital, consisting Of goods for trade
furniture, and whatever else can be included
under personal estate, cannot be reckoncd
at less than million of dollars. In this and
the following statistics, it is impossible to
get the precise amounts, but it is believed
that they approximate near to the truth.
100000 invested in agricultural pursuits,
including sugar, silk, coffee and other plant
atoms, stock, etc. A mocty OF this capital
is fixed on the island of Kauai In shipping.
owned at Honolulu, S43 900. OF real cs-
l..
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13

tee on Public Buildings, submitted a r.
port setting forth the condition ofsaid bull
dings, and making sundry recommends
tions IN relation thereto.
Mr.. Walton called from the orders o
the day, a bill from the House, entitled ar
ici, 10 put the Union Bank in liquidation
10 secure its assets for the payment Of the
bonds sold on its account, and to save the
people from taxation, which call was sus.
tanned.
Mr.. Tucker moved to strike out all
after the enacting clause, and insert a
new bill, transferring to N. Biddle, the
purchaser Of The bonds, all the assets Of
the Union Baok, and requiring him to
return said bonds. This amendment gave
rise TO an animated debate, which occupied
almost. the entire remainder Of The day.
The bill will come up again on to-mor-
row.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
IN THE SENATE.
THURSDAY, Feb. A..

A host Of bills Of various natures, but
mostly Of a local nature, were read and
passed by this branch Of the Legislature.
A bill providing for the immediate es.
adjustment of the State University, and
the permanent location thereof at Oxford
the place selected by joiOt vote Of botE
Houses, passed its third reading and was
adopted.
The bill to place The Union Bank in
liquidation, TO secure its assets, for the
payment Of the bonds, and to save the
people from burthepsome taxation, was
taken under consideration, and after much
animated discussion, was engrosscd for d
third reading on Tomorrow.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13

Billiard Table, kept for public use and
play, there shall be assessed tax ofS500
and on each broker or money exchanger
a tax of $500. On all slaves over five, and
under sixty years Of age, tax Of rs cents
IS 10 he assessed and collected.
A bill from the House, entitled an net
10 revive the jackson and Brandon Rail
Road and Bridge Company; was read the
third time and passed. This bill now
wants but the signature Of the Executive
10 become the law Of the land.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
IN TIE HOUSE.
THURSDAY, Feb. A..

The committee on education, through
their chairman, reported the bill for the
encouragement Of School Colleges, and
Academies, without amendment, which
was forthwith passed.
Several other bills Of minor Importance
were read and disposed Of
The House then took up the orders Of
the day J. and host Of local bills were read
and passed IN something less than no time.
The bill proposing TO change the Con-
siituton, so as to prevent the faith Of the
State being hereafter pledged to procure
loans Of money, de-, was read the second
time, and engrossed for its third reading on
tomorrow.
The bill to quiet land titles to the right
ful owners Of land IN this State, was read
the third time and passed.
A bill, entitled an act, to prevent slaves
being taught to read and write, was read
the second time, and engrossed for third
reading on tomorrow.
The House again took under consider
alton, the bill providing fer funding the
Treasury warrants, issued prior 10 Janua-
ry, lS4i, which passed by vote Of 40
to 81.
A bill for the benefit Of The creditors,
and for the relief OF the stockholders Of
the Real Estate Banking Company OF
Kinds county, was read the third time and
passed.
A bill authorizing the commercially Bank
of Natchez, to withdraw its branches, and
wind up its affairs as bank, was read The
third time and passed.
A House bill, entitled an act, TO provide
for the election Of public printer, &C., was
taken up and passed, with the amendments
Of The SENATE.
The bill incorporating the Jackson and
Canton Rail Road Company, passed It's
third reading and was adopted.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
7 O'CLOCK. r. M.

The House took up the bill for reducing
the capital stock Of the Commercial Bank
Of Man, lester, and after some debate
passed ht same.
The House then resolved itself into
committee of the whole, on general ap-
preparation bill, reported by the committee
on claims. This bill gave rise to much
bitter discussion, especially 10 relation to
appropriations asked FOR printing proclaim
aIions. The committee at length, arose,
reported progress, and asked leave to sil
again tomorrow.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13

LEGISLATURE OF MISSISSIPPI
IN THE SENATE.
Jackson, Tucsday, Feb.

JACKSON, Tuesday, Feb. 2.
A bill entitled an act, to provide for the
revenue of the State was called from the
orders Of the day, read the third time, and
after lengthy and animated discussion
passed. This bill provides that an odrd.
lorum tax Of one quarter of one per cent
shall be assessed and collected on the val>
ne Of all lands 10 this State not exempted
by the ordinance admitting the State into
the Union, or especially exempted by
said bill; on every hundred dollars q
money loaned at interest by individuals,
Or employed by them in the purchase Of
notes bonds, checks.or bills fcredit Of uny
description whatever as a security Tor
money advanced on the value Of all goods,
wares, and merchandise sold by regular
merchants. On each hundred dollars
worth OF merchandise, sold by any Auc.
tioneer or transient vender Of goods, two
and one.half per cent. On each hundred
dollars of bank stock subscribed for ia any
incorporated bank in this State, which has
not paid bonus for iis charter, or been
exempted by the provisions thereof, except
stock subscribed for and owned by the
State or by some Incorporated, Literary, or
Charitable institution, one quarter Of one
Der cent o. the value ofeoch pleasure
carriage, and each watch or clock kept for
use, ono half Of ono per cent. On each
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
EVENING SESSION.

A bill 20 provide for the appointment Of
public printer and to regulate the fees Of
the Reporter Of the High Court ofErors
and Appeals, was read the third time and
passed.
A bill from the House, enti.led an net,
to provide for improving the navigation oil
Tchula River, was read the third time &
passed.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
,eurp EVERY SATURDAY MORNING
1 nv JOHN N. BASKlN.
arc OF SUBSCRIPTION.

rrpMs OF SUBSCRIPTION.
Ir",Sarcy UNION, is published everey
!, morning, at jper annum, INVARIABLY
byANcE. ,,m,.
H.. o,oen,s will be inserted at the rate offs 90
ne first .sr sss 80 ss ses. nj ss'
% ln s,no number of insertions required must be
ie me margin of the manuscript. or they will
on III mi forbid, and charged accordingly. A,
nSeIr", from a distance must be accompanied
a's%InssCASH, or good reference in town.
" "' YEARLY ADVERTISING.
o 'i for les: na" UnS va
ball ofannual advertisersis limited to thei
IhePni;sto business; and all advertisements To-
Y nfu Of other persons sent in by them must
M q, nv the square.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
IN THE HOUSE.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 8.

A number OF local bills we're introduced,
and the constitutional rule requiring bills
to be read on :hree several days being
dispensed with they were passed instan-
ter.
The bill entitled an act, to preserve The
people from AVIATION, and to secure the
fleet of the Planters and Mississippi
Rail Road Bank, for the payment of the
bonds sold On account off the State stock
in the Planers' bank, which has since
been transferred to the Rail Road Bank
was read the third time and passed.
A bill entitled an net, to prescribe the
node Of aulhentlcating lists Of iusolven.
ces returned by the tax collectors of The
several counties, was read the third time
and passed.
The committee on public buildings
reported bill abolishng the office Of
commissioner OF public buildings, and
requiring the Secretary oiS,ate to perform
tho duties heretofore devolving upon said
commissioner. This bill prohibits every
person except the keeper Of The Capitol
from lodging IN the same. The bill, after
much discussion, was eDgrossed for third
reading on tomorrow.
The House again resolved itself into
committee Of the whole upon the bill! to
provide for funding the Treasury warrants
of this State, issued prior 10 the first day
of January ls4l Mr.. Dobyns in the
chair. After much discussion, the CON.
mittee arose aud reported the bill with
various amendments. A motion was then
made to reconsider the vote on the motion
to strike out the first section, which was
sustained on yesterday.
The motion TO reconsider Prevailed
Mr.. Tompkins then moveu to amend the
motion 10 strike out, by inserting in lieu Of
said section, provision declaring that the
Treasury warrants shall be received in
OF debts due the sinking md
seminary funds, and for all dues to The
State.
Mr.. 7. supported his motion by a very
able argument. A number Of others
ioined 10 the discussion, after which the
vote was taken on SAID amendment and
decid ID in the negative. The vote was
then taken on the motion to strike Out,
which was lost. Many amendments hav'
ing been made, the bill was engrossed for
a third reading on Tomorrow.
The House then took up the revenue
bill, which has for some days occupied the
attention of the Senate, and passed the
same without discussion. Having before
spoken Of the provisions Of this bill, no
is here necessary.
The House having under consideration
1 bill TO authorize certain persons therein
named, 10 build bridge over the Tombig-
BY River; an effort was made 10 engrafi
thereon, an amendment repeating the 5lh
,eclion Of an act, entitled an act to sup
,ress tipping, &c. Afer much debate,
he amendment was rejected. This was
indeed q strange amendment. but so great
8 the anxiety Of some members 10 repeal
he gallon law, that they leave no expcdI.
mt untried.
A bill TO inhibit tho use Of cotton hooks
vas taken up, and after some little discus
ion passed. Mr.. LemIey introduced an
amendment, declaring that no one should
landle cotton bags without gloves, which
,f course was lost.
In THE SENATE.
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13
IN THE HOUSE.
FRIDAY Feb. S.

After the disposal Of much local bust.
ness, the House took under consideration
the resolution IN relation to tho appropria.
lion Of the two per cent. fund due this
State aud Alabama, 10 the construction Of
Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-02-13

u = mere not some danger that the Bank.
o. Commerce will follow The example q
!, me =, trust concerni Prime, King g. Co.
NV Deen using j., and with their largo
couon stock operations. We woald usi
u u surprised y see The whole batch squasH
up Aing ~ Ward are political hauket
!. nave used the credi .If New Ynka
$3.50 g sustain their e~l gigan,si
oOs'ne sPecnlaliOns.- Y .ssss;y