Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-10-31
The American Squadron i'm
the Chinese Seas.

the Chinese seas.
Interesting letters have been receiv-
ed from on hoard the United States
ship Vincennes ,as late as the 5'h May.
All were well on board, and we are
happy to find that the alarming rumors
of the ravages of disease on board the
SQUADRON are unfounded The ship
came down from Whampoa to Macao
about the goth April, and on the 2sth
one of her officers writes that: owe are
now ready for sea, and will get under
way so soon as the Commodore comes
on board. We are bound for cruise
up the coast OF China to Japan, and
probably TO Kamscha,ka. This will
be doing what no other American
man-of- war has ever done. We expect
to be absent from this place about SIX
months, when we will return, take in
stores, remain probably until after
China new year. (at which time great
excitement prevails. and then we hope
TO set sail for our native land, by way
OF the Cape Of Good Hope
"The excitement attending the claim
of entering the walls of Canton has
died away. Some weeks since, Sir }.
Davis had an interview with Keying
at the Bogue, it is supposed, on this
subject; but as yet nothing has trans
pired. think that a'Canton mob has
very strong voice in the Cabinet, and
it will be some years yet before there
is free ingress and cgress to foreigners
After all, curiosity is the only thing
to be gra,ifed; and all the valuables
that foreigners admire, are already
without the walls, and cannot per.
ceive any political or commercial ad
vantage which will flow from priv
lepe TO which the Chinese seem to have
an invincible repugnance. hav,
spent ten days in Canton, and had thu
qualification of being invited 10 large
Chinese dinner and sing-song, which
attended. The sing.song is theatrical
men and women dressed in the mos
splendid costumes, covered with silveI
aud gold, flourish about, brandishins
sticks and swords, singing songs ths
you cannot comprehend accompanied
all the time by the gong and dozens Of
other instruments, li,tle less euphoni.
Gus than the first, II that be possible
II seems to resemble the opera, but
could not form an idea Of the plot
Upon the whole, il is both ludicrou:
and ridiculous; and one might be ox'
cited TO laughter, were ii not for :
greater sympathy for the sense o
hearing than of sight. The dinner was
given almost exclusively TO foreigners
and | am told that it is the first thing
Of the kind that has ever come off; and
as it may not be uninteresting, | wit
endeavor TO give you-a description
The invitation informed the guests that
boats would be in waiting. So about
seven o'clock several officers of the
Nincennes found ourselves at the for.
eign landing, embarked, and were
soon rowed over the ferry. On enter
ing the hall, we were most deliberately
'chinchined,' with gongs and other
noise-making instruments. We as
cended flight of steps. and were re-
ceived by the heads Of the family
The tables were arranged about the
room after the fashion of the French
that is, each table accommodated six
persons. So soon as we were seated,
the host came up to US, carrying in his
hand metal tapor, filled with warm
arrack, IA liquor having very much the
taste of rum, and exclusively used by
the higher classes Of Chinese.) He
filled our cups, holding about tea
spoonful, which we were compelled 10
drink. making at the same time bow
to our polite host. This done, be was
free, so far as we were concerned, for
the rest of 'he evening. Now COM
menced the d.. ner. There was an old
-esident merchant sitting by me. and
he gave me the names of the dishes, or
am sure | shonld have never made 4