Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-06-22
II 7 S q Is Il d 4 81 z o
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

Aii-~ EAPEDlIlON.
The results OF this expedition are as vet but
partially known. We gather few interesting
items of intelligence embodied in an article
IN The last number of Sillman's Journal, and
condensed by the editor of The Tribune.
The vessels visited the Feeiees and there
spent nearly four months in SURVEYS and scien-
tiiic observations.
During this time they surveyed about $50
different islands, besides 800 miles in OREGON
and 800 miles along the icv barrier of The
Antarctic Continent.-Through the dilipent
examination of the islands, reefs, harbors.
shoals, sc. sc. the expedition is prepared TO
furnish far more complete map OF the Pacific
Ocean than has ever before been published
The feejee groupe of islands, is, nextto OREGON.
the most important 81 the unexplored reyions
visited by the Expedition. The groupc is a
perfect labyrinth of reefs and rocky islands
about LOU IN number, of which the largest con-
'ams 1000 square miles, and is constantly
visited by Yankee vessels in search of tor
toise-sheil and sandal wood. The islands are
found TO be fertile, and abound in GOOD har-
bors. The Navigators' Islands are still more
beautiful, though less extensive, and contain
great amount of fertile land. Some few un-
known islands were discovered and of some
oil them the natives believed the whites TO be
children OF the sun, and stood in great awe of
them, offering all their goods, and asking,
when the ships departed, if they were going
back TO the Sun.
Complete collections of implements and
arms used by the people of all the places Wis
tied were made and are preserved, as furnish
ing, with descriptions, full and interesting ac-
count of their manners, modes of life, RELIGIONS
habits, &c. The arrangement OF these speci-
mems IN the Patent Office at Washington has
not yet been completed. In the Feejee Is
lands the inhabitants were found TO be canni-
balls; and several of the natives came on board
The Peacock with huit-eaien bones in their
hands and still eating the human flesh OH deck
as unconsciously as though it were matter
Of the most ordinary occurrence. This was
so often and so generally observed that no
doubt can remain that they entertain an actual
relish for human flesh. The Portfolios of the
Artists of the Expedition are said TO be ex-
tremciy rich Ill scenes of every kind, and
accurate representations OF whatever can shed
any light on the appearance, customs, habits.
scenery, sc. oi the places which they visited
HE number OF sketches Of natural scenery is
above 500, besides 500 others of headands
the number Of portraits is above 200-The
mgrations, physical and moral characteristics
and languages OF the various tribes, were close
y investigated Materials have been obtained
Tor comparative grammar and dictionary of
the most important dialects of the Polynesian
Islands, and it is believed that the original seat
OF the population, in the Navigators' Islands,
had been determined. Grammatical analyses
| of the dialects of New Holland have been OBJ
tanned, which disprove the prcvalen. belief
that that vast island is inhabited by totally dis
tinct tribes and fair grounds are afforded for
the belief that the inhabitants Of New Holland,
Ike those OF Poly nesiu, are one people sneak
ing languages derived from Common origin.
great mass of minute information in regard
to the customs, traditions and language of the
FeeJee Islands has been collected, including a
grammar and dictionary Of about 5000 words.
The Kingsmill Islands are an interesting
groupe now first surveyed. They lie in the
Western Pacific, directly under the equator ;
are sixteen in number, and give in all not more
than $50 square miles. They afford no stone
but coral, no quadrupeds but rats, and only
| thirty species of plants. Yet they have pop
ulaIion Of above 10000, and are not inferior
IN civilization TO any islands Of the Pacific.
Two sailors were found upon them, one OF
whom had been detained as captive five
| years and through them much valuable in
! formation concerning the islands was collect
ed and the probable origin Of the natives as
cerlained.
In Oregon vocabularies have been obtained
Of twenty-six languages, belonging to sixteen
distinct families and it is mentioned as q re-
markable fact, that one family Of languages
had been found extending from Bhering's
Straits to some distance south Of the Colum-
bia River.-At Singaport the Expedition OBJ.
tanned from an American Missionary colec-
ton Of valuable Malay manuscript relating &c
the history, Hydrologic laws, end customs o
The East india Islands-belieged to be The
most valuable collection in existence since thc