Litchfield enquirer., 1842-01-27

ing Erpeditaon-By the way of Matzalan and Vera Cruz, the editors of the Journal of Commerce have received file of the Sand wich Island Polynesian to the 3lSt of last July. They bring intelligence frol the U. $. ship Peacock and schr. Flying Fish, of the Exploring Expedition, concerning which no advices had reached this country for a considerable period. It will be seen that they have had some skirmishcs with the na- tives of the Islands which they were survey ing, and had one man killed. Many of the nutives were destroyed.
 HonoluIu, June l7.-The U: S. Ship Pea cock, Capt. Hudson, and schooner Flying Fish, S. Knox, commander, arrived during the week after d long and protracted cruise to the south and west officers and crew in good health. Their original destination was the Columbia River, where they expected to have joined the other vessels ot the EXplor- ing Squadron two months since, but 8 want of provisions compelled them to put away for this port. During their cruise, they have surveyed most of lhe small islands directly to the southward of this group, and from thence proceeded to the Samoa Archipelago, at one of which, after firing round and grape shot to disperse the natives of the settle
 ments, they landed and burned three of their
 villages, in consequence of their refusal to deliver up chief who had murdered an
 American some time previously. From thence they went nOrthWard, visiting and surveying the numberless islands in that di- rection, one of which they discovered the inhabitants never having seen white men before, were exceedingly astonished at their appearance. At the Kings Mill group, one ot inc men was murdered, and q fight ensu- ed in consequence, in which number of na- tives were killed they are described as be- ing far more ferocious than even the FUans. An unsuccessful search was made for the unfortunate Captain Dowsett at the Pesca- dores very few inhabitants were seen upon them, and it is supposed that the party that captured him must have been fishing par ty from some other islands. From the Pis- .cadores, the vessels came directly here, hav- ing been on half allowance of provisions and water for a long while. The result of this cruise will be of exceeding value, par ticularly to whalers, as the charts of this part of the ocean were very incorrect, and had been but impertectly explored previous to this cruise.
 The collection of specimens made have been full and interesting, and some novel; ties to reward the diligent search of the sci- entific gentlemen. The portfolio drawings is full and extensive, embracing besides ob- .jects of natural history, too perishable to ad- init of their being correctly preserved in any other manner, portraits of the most remark able natives, sketches of their costumes, dwellings, plan of the town of Honolulu, with all the public buildings, stores, wharves, &c.,, and views of some of the most grand, charming, or picturesque landscapes.
 June 25.-The U. s. Exploring Squadron, though fitted out on peaceful expedition, and with small armaments, have done more fighting and been engaged in more contests than probably the remainder the navy for the last ten years. At the Fiis, from 70 to 100 men were killed on the part of the na- tives, and at the Kings Mill group, from 10 to l2; and at the Samoa, several villages were burnt. Besides these, many petty at- tacks have been repulsed without any known loss of life.
 Many individuals in the United States may be inclined from ignorance of the char. acter of savages, 10 condemn these acts as cruel and unnecessary but those acquaint- ed with all the circumstances, will consider them proper, and called for by the treacher- ous disposition of the natives themselves.
 The Polynesian gives memorandum of the work performed by the Exploring Expe- dition, from which we gather the following particulars relative to their excursion to Mauna Loa, in Jan. lS4l. It was gigantic upwards of 800 natives were on the occasion, but not being able to withstand the intense cold, the seamen of the ship had to do the hardest work. When within few miles ot the top, one of the na- tves wandered from the track, and when found three days after. he was lying under a rock, speechless and nearly dead.
 The ascent is very gradual. it being a complete dome of induratcd lava, exceeding ly toilsome to travel over. The compass is the only sure guide to the summit, and the first notice the traveller receives of reaching il, is finding himself upon the brink of a tre- precipice that forms the eastern wall of the crater. Fuel had to be brought for several miles, and provisions from the ships. A regular encampment was formed, and double walls built around to break the force of the winds, which blow across the mountain with terrific violence. The pen dulum house was placed in the centre.- Snow fell in abundance. Twice the ther- moneter stood at l3 deg. F., though it's usu- al range at night was from l5 to 20 deg The height of the mountain is l3,50O feet.- Steam issued from the creviceS on the sum- init, and penetrated evrn into the tents. so that they were obliged 10 stop up the rent in the rock which allowed it ingress. Instead of one large crater 37 miles in circumfer- ence, as before stated by Douglass, there are several. The bottom is rough in the eX- treme; lava piled and broken up in multitu- dinous forms and siZes-steam issued from some of the crevices, ho. enough at times to light pipe. But there are no traces of any very recent eruptions.
 After spending three weeks in this wild and dreary solitude, on which nothing that has life can be found. the party returned.- A native. who loi,ered behind, perished.
 The volcano of Kilauea was then thor