Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-03-06
"REMINISCENCES.

1t is now fifty years since the ship Colnm-
bia, Capt. kendTick, and the sloop Washing
ton, of only sirty tons burthen, as tender 10
the ship, were fitted out at, and sailed from
Boston, on a voyage of trade and discovery
round the world. This was the first enter :
prise Of the kind, and was crowned with sue
cess. There are circumstances attending it
that are fresh in our memory, and worthy of
record. When the expedition arrived at the
North West Co st, Capt. Kendrck turned his
back on his country-prevaied on number
of seamen to join him, took possession of the
sloop Washington, and refused to return-
Capt. Robert Gray then took command Of the
Columbia, and continued the voyage. On
his return he called at the different clusters OF
Islands in the South Seas, and among the rest
at the Sandwich, where, as we'll as in other
places, he met with the most friendly aten-
tons from the natives, particularly at Owyhee,
where their King resided. Such was the con-
hdence placed In Capt. Gray, both by king
and people, that they permitted him TO bring
away with him to Boston, their crown prince,
fully relying on his promise 10 return him to
them. The ship was absent upwards Of three
years, and had not been heard from for laIge
portion of the tinie, when in the summer Of
1890, In a fine afternoon, We had just arrived
at Boston from Worcester, when a strange
ship bearing the stars and stripes of our coun-
try, arrived abreast of the castle and fired a ma
tlonal salute, which was promptly returned
by that fortress.
} The firing was distinctly heard and seen
from Boston, but no one could imagine what
ship 1t was, bearing our country's flag, and
= doing and receiving snch high honor. The
inhabitants were all in motion, and comingsto
the long wharf by thousands in the interim
he chI ~ 1~L.
t tered out. AS she Came 10 anchor off the end
= of the wharf, the delighted multitude rent the
I air with joyful acclamations, while salvos Of
artillery shook the neghboring hills, and the
astonished people hurried into the city to join
= in the general joy. The ship having returned
+ the salute Of the city, the CUSTOM House barge
b was manned. when the venerable Gen. Lin
coin, collector of the port, with the owners of
the Columbia, repaired on board, and after
bidding hearty welcome to Capt. Gray, and
his princely messenger, they all returned to
the wharf together, when the air again rang
= with loud acclaim, and the artillery again
: poured forth its thunder. The prince, who
!, was al Apollo in personal symmetry and
e beauty, was dressed in a helmet Of the ancient
- Roman form, covered with small feathers oil
y the most beautiful plumage, which glittcred
in the sun, while on his body he wore close
dress, not visible except the sleeves, and over
it large and flowing robe, in the form of the
toga, made Of cloth covered with feathers pre-
cisely like the helmet. In this splendid cos
I'D tune, he took the arm of Capt. Gray, and I
'e procession being formed, they marched t.
40 Gov. Hancock's, who had sent his adiutant
= general to bid them welcome. After resi-
>. dence of some months, the ship was reftted
- and with the same commander, returned tn
" prince in safety to his country and friends
- From thence sprung all that friendly inter
u course between those happy islanders and tn
:. United States, TO whom they are indebted 70
d. civilization and the useful arts, which are ma
{ king rapid progress among them.
=, Cincinnati Post.