The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-16

others advanced to maturity, appear in mingled |
beauty The trunk furnishes beams and rafters |
for houses; the leaves make an excellent thatch, |
~ well good umbrellas, mats for the floor,
and brooms; while the finest fbres can be
woven into fine carpetng. The covering OF
. piece OF thick cloth in a conical form, as
close and 6rm as if II came from the loom.
The nuts contain a delicious milk, and kernel,
sweeter than the almond. which, when dried, fur
nshes an abundance of oil, and after the oil is ex
pressed, the remains feed cattle and poultry, and
make good manure. Arrack, vinegar and sugar
are also made from this tree. The shell OF the
nut furnishes cups, ladies' and other domestic uten
sils while the husk is Of the utmost Importance
tbs MANUFACTURED into ropes and cordage OF every
kind, from the smallest Irvine TO the largest cables
and which are said to be far more durable than
those of hemp. Then, what blessing is the cocoa
nut tree!
Before reaching the entrance of the bay, some
twenty miles from land, we deserted fleet OF
canoes under sail, managed with skill that equals
the best Whitehall boatmen, and on bearing down,
found them to contain Mandingo Indians, upon
fishing excursions. We shipped one canoe with
Its two Indians, much to the chagrin OF the occu-
pants of the others, who kept up a furious abber
In their unknown tongue. We afterwards learned
that the furious taker was chief presumptive,
which It known at the time, we would have taken
him on board.
No pen can describe the exquisite feelings of Sc
rene delight that possessed the soul upon approach
ing these islands. The pictures of early youth, SO
elaborated in our toy-books when the young brain
takes the first and most lasting impression, were
here spread before us. The solitary island, embo.
somed IN the blue ocean-the straight, stern and
graceful wavy branches OF the trees, brought back
to memory those by-gone days of innocence and
truth.
We cast our anchor near the shore ofCampbell's
Island i Mo men Were visible Knot of women ,s
trees. -Four OF our party landed, who were re-
ceived by the women and children in omlnous ST.
Ience, which produced some anxiety for personal
safety; all fear, however, was dispeled upon the ar
rival OF Campbell, who, speaking few words of
English, babe us welcome. He was very attentive,
and presented one of the party with splendid bow
visited the interior of the houses Campbel's
daughter lay sick of fever; all the household gods
were ranged IN due order under the head OF her |
hammock, and upon altar, in 'front.' the incense |
OF cayenne and balsam wood perpetually assembled |
Our good surgeon prescribed tor her. much to the |
qualification Of the father.
The women 90 not possess one single captiyat-
ing charm Their stature is not over five feet; |
heads large and face broad, with gcla. ring Of !
triangle through the nose, huge square shoulders, |
no waist, all body: their legs, exposed from the |
knees, are encircled by fancfu bracelets of beads,
making deep indentaions; one above the ankle, |
one above and below the cali, and one above the |
knee. The protrusion of the flesh between these |
bracelets produces pity IN the mi, mnds Of he be-
far peuda than a VICE Uns
American DANES formerly INDUCED in, viz the
practice of encrcling their lovely waists in whale
doned by ali the fashionable beauties 'pf"' AOA
The men are short and stumpy, not over five feet
six inches on the average, thick and square.bult
and are capable of enduring great fatigue. Their
prominent, with all the physognomy of the Jew.
They have a nluralitv of wives, ACCORDING to their
means They permit no communication with TO-
reigners, and the woman so offending is stoned to
death 1t is part of their religious creed to keep
to have restorative for the organs of reproduction
the effect of which, upon one administration, will
last for eight years. Our surgeon fortunately OBJ
tanned some Of the remedy, which has been pro-
nounced part and parcel of the body of the turtle.
A question arose as to whether this people be not
descendants of one of the lost tribes of Israeli
Upon our arrival, Col Hughes distinctynvowed
overland to the Pacific; but he was referred to the
d" old man, who alone could give reply. The |
-" old mans was accordingly sent for, and on the
time, we had ample opportunities of talking with
the natives, and some of our conversations eventu-
ated to our great amusement.
1t is difficult to decide whether they are su-
premely ignorant or excessively cunning. They |
are careful IN answering questions IN regard to
their country, and are jealous OF all foreigners.
They have never submitted to any foreign govern
ment, and although they are within the bounds of |
the New Granadlan government, they pay no tri-
butte yor admit of any allegiance whatever. We
formed some pleasant and amusing acquaintance
among the head men, who speak a few words of
English, taken up from the crews of vessels from
Jamaica and Carthagena that occasionally visit to
trade. Mr.. John Bull, MIR. Tom Campbell, Mr..
Tom Bat, Mr.; Tim Baggs, Mr. Toby Dot, &c,
&c, proved themselves very complaisant in par
taking of the hospitalities of the Orus.
In the course OF a cross examination made with
a view to get some clue TO their early history,
the following question was asked rs, ~ -" Who lived
here 400 or 500 years ago!, The reply was,
Tins Father" This reply disturbed the gravity
Of all who heard it. Now, Tim is a downright
good fellow, and has travelled he has been. TO
Baltimore, and he knows much of the world be-
sides, he Is the son Of the old man, the wise one.
On another occasion, man with the appear
ance of sixty years was asked how old he was he
and remark no other object than the full moon.
On Sunday morn, April ~; the old man arrived,
and, with his grand councillors, appeared in the
cabin Of the steamer f. which Is was cleared for
most aniabe, intellectual and pleasant physlgnomy
Of any of his tribe, and he presided with great
dignity. Col. Hughes and suite occupied seats in
the Council The following talk was then held
by means OF an interpreter -
COLONEL HuoHEs.-i come from Washington in Amc-
RIGA My old man-great chief chief Of twenty millions
Of me to talk to the old man Of Man
Nandnso and sends him his regards
OLD MAS.-Old man Of Mandingo loves old man of
+" HUGO huoo, huoo," repeated similar to groans by all
Cor. HueHr.-old man of America has much land,
afar Of the Pacific too much days to catch 'em by
land too much days to catch 'em by water, round
Cape Horn wants to make a road nearer-catch 'em
efcort him the land to the Pacific to let him
see IL the land is good for road.
OLD MAr.-Land not good can't catch EN- there |
better catch 'em by Cape Horn no make a road in
kandngo couptry-God Almighty get vexed.
"Huoo huoo, huoo, huoo repeated in sroans by the
Indians.
Cot. HreHrs-Will you allow us to go across
OLD HAN.-No!
q" HUGO, huoo huoo," responded again the Indians,
and the Council broke up.
Previous TO the interview with the old man, Col.
Hughes had satisfied himself of the character of
the nafDOTs, OF The coast. and of the and |
had already pronounced them unfit for his purpose
the deep waters presenting no convenient anchor
age, and the MYERS having but two to three feet
depth OF water Thus ended the expedition TO the
MandlDgo Bay Weweighed anchor at 10 o'clock,
and, taking MIR. John Bull as pilot, discharged
him, with certificate, two hours after. During
stay at the island, upon the earnest entreaty OF
the several chiefs, the party bestowed their names
upon several OF the youth =