The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-08
FROM THE PACIFIC.
Extract Of letter to senator Of the United State, from
an officer in the
u. o. sHIP w ARREN, AT SEA,
"Of the GuJ Of Tehuaniepse, Jan. 81, 1886.

an oUlcer ~ Inc
"U. S. SHIP WARREN, AT SEA,
"Of the GuJ Of Tshuaniepec, JAN 81, 1886.
81 wrote you on the 4th inst. from Panama. We
sailed thence on the llth, and hope to reach AGA.
pulco by the 10Th proximo, from whence will en-
deayor TO despatch this TO you via Mexico and Vera
Cruz. You will perceive by our slow progress
along this coast that attended with light winds and
head currents; some days made but 81 miles on
course; have had thus far but about "a hours
OF strong breeze from northward and eastward
which was off the gulf Of Papagayo .-..' y
"The United States force in the Pacific amounts
to lO2 guns that Of the English $40. The English ad-
mira, seymour, was much surprised at the great
number OF our whale ships on this ocean, the port
of Honolulu, Sandwich islands, there lay As Whale
ships, 43 Of which belonged TO the United States;
they carry from three to four thousand barrels Of
oil, and I'LL up in from eighteen months TO three
years. The California, a new ship, which cost
$50, 900, had on board $4,000 worth Of oil taken
in about sixteen months There are on the coast OF
California ak fine ships employed in collecting hides;
they bring out assorted cargo, which they dis
pose of at $50 per cent profit, taking in payment for
their merchandise, hides at 81 each; one ship car
rying say 40, 900 hides; the business is profitable
one, Notwithstanding the duties their out cargocs
are very high.
There are, believe about six hundred ships of
the United States employed in the whale trade.
Four hundred Of these fish in the Pacific ocean, and
to protect this great interest," and trade On the
coast Of Chill, Peru and the Ecuador, tho islands,
and northwest coast, we have generally but about
one hundred guns; whilst the English have on this
station three times the number! From the great ex-
tent Of this coast, say from Valdiva, in latitude
800 So south, to the mouth of the Columbia AGO 49,
north, and the islands lying from 60 to 80 days. sail
Of it, whittier whalers repair for supplies
&C., would it not be advisable to have two squad
rons with at least one steamer attached to each as
despatch vessel Owing to the light winds preva-
lent at Panama, and south of it to the line, also
north to Mazatlan three four months of the year.
much delay is caused even when sailing vessels
reach the isthmus by which communications may
be sent, and that is only when vessel of the squad
ron Is sent for the purpose. As have mentioned
| to you in a former letter, the most direct route
| to California from Panama is via Caao or
Valparaiso, there being no commerce with
that place, and the coast north of it There
is established private line of packets, monthly,
from Panama to Payta and Callao, in Peru; the
morant and Salamander, carrying two Paixhan 68s
and two 42-pounder carronades each, which come
monthly for the mail, and there are two on the At
lantic side from Jamaica--they have a depot for
coal on small island in the bay of Panama. for
which they pay $500 yearly. Our whale ships
quantity of coal The northern coast is wooded as
far as Cape st. Lucas, (entrance of gulf of Cafor-
thence to Monterey it is either desert or grass
from which place it continues wooded to the Co
lumbia. j ...fE,. r... .........
Having served six long years in cruises to the
Pacific, of feel anxious to return; and un-
less there is war, expect to be on my way home.
ward in one Of the return vessels. very naturally
feel great anxiety on account Of my family, which
mentioned to you in my letter from Norfolk. II we
do not meet the Commodore at Acapulco, as expect
ed, it will take US another 90 or IS days from there
to Mazatlan. | look forward arriving at Caao or
Valparaiso to receive letters from you.
Very truly yours.