The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-01-13
Arrival Of tho rrebls-.-Her Cruise.

California, in September, 1916, as convoy to
regiment of volunteers, and
served with great activity upon the Western
coast, during the Mexican war. At its ter
mination, she was dispatched to China, with
Com. Gelsinger on board, who was ordered
to the command Of the East India squadron.
On the way, she stopped for short time at
several ports of the Sandwich Islands. For
interest and novelty, the most prominent
amcng these were Hilo and Keallakakus.
While at Canton, information was receiv-
ed Of the detention Of sixteen shipwrecked
Americans in Japan, and the Preble was des-
patched tbther to obtain their release. On
her way to Japan, the Preble touched at the
Loo Choo Islands, a kingdom in themselves,
yet dependencies of Japan.
For gentle dignity Of manners, superior
advancement in the arts, and general intelli-
gence, tie inhabitants Of this group are BY
far the most interesting, unenlighttred ~
nation in the Pacific 0cesn. The Preble is
the first American msp-of-war that has ever
visited them.
AS the Preble neared the coast Of Japan,
signal guns were fired from the prominent
head Lands, to give warning to the surround
ing country, as it was afterwards ascertained,
of the appearance of strange ship. AS she
entered the harbor Of Nagasaki, the Preble
was met by number of large boats, which
ordered her off, and attempted 10 oppose her
further ingress. But by standing steadily in,
with fine breeze, their ranks were soon
broken, and desirable position selected for
anchoring.
Fleets of boats, crowded with soldiers,
shortly afterward began to arrive, and from
that time until the Prcble left, they poured
in, in one incessant stream, day and night,
Each squadron of boats wore banners, or
namented with distinctive symbols and de-
vices, which were transferred with the troops
to their encampments on the elevated shores
surrounding the anchorage Of the Preble
From these heights batteries were at inter
walls unmasked, of heavy artillery, number
ing in all upwards of sixty guns, which were
trained upon the Preble's deck.
1t was in the face Of this array, and with
a Gordon of boats drawn around the ship
that negotiations were carried OH for the re
lease Of American citizens from an ingLo
mnions and cruel imprisonment OF nearl.
seventeen months. Against these men, th,
japanese urged not the slightest charge, ex
cept the difficulty they had had in building
prisons and tages strong enough TO hole
ihrm. Yet they were treaded with inhu
man barborty; and when first confined
were made 10 trample on the cruclfx, be
ing told at the same time, that it was "th
devil of Japan" and that if they refused t
comply, their lives would pay the forfeit.
The demand for their release was at frs
; treated with well-efIected naughty indil
ference by the Janpanesr authorities. Thi
subsequently, gave place TO an evaslve dl
plomacy; but upon being peremptoril
told by Captain Glynn, in language that coul
not BIZ misunderstood, that they must I'M
medistely deliver up the men, or mean
would be- found TO compel them and tha
the American government always knew no,
to recover and protect its citizens. whrl
improperly drtained or abused by any ma
lion whatever, th, y quickly changed III
tone and without drprrca,ing any anse
or excitement Oh the subject. the Lieut. Gov
erno (who had conducted the interview Il
brhali oi the Jopanesr) promised tina, ,hs
should be sent off 10 the ship in two day
IRON that time. This was strictly fulfilled
The Preble, on her return 10 Hong Kon'
stopped at The consular ports oil Shansha
and Annoy, on the rSsi coust Of China an
2 notwithstanding delay Of two days at Lc
E Choo, nine at Japan, seven al ShanghU
Iwo ut Woosung, and Two ut Annoy. she II
rived at Hong Kong in So days from Il
lime CT starting. liIiS was one day 1t
q han had been given her by The most exp
: rienced men about Canton 10 reach NsgaI
aki alone, at that seusUn Of The year.
On the second arrival of The Preble at He
2 alulu she had been absent irom The Unit
States two years and eleven months, and HI
0 sailed 73, ,633 miles; an amount, it is believe
= unequalled, in The same space OF time,
any man-oi-war (of any nationj that has e
/. er iloatcd; and up TO her return to New Yor
o she has sailed nearly 100, 900 miles, and be,
), in commission four years and four months.
l. Every port of any importance whatevt
in the North Pacific and China Seas, and u
on the West coast Of South America, Me
leo, and California, has been visited, al
many Of them several times, during the cruis
e Unirequentel parts of the ocean have be-
e traversed, number Of strange ports ha
Il been entered, where no national vessel h
:, ever before shown our flag, and our COZ
u merce has received succor and protecti
le from the Preble in number of most impC
& tant instances. Thus it will be seen that
d Preble has made on3 of the most interestiI
and certainly the longest cruise, for both d
ration Of time and distance sailed, that
) ever been made by an American man7ot-w'
i A private soldier Of one of the Fren
- cavalry regiments that was bribed by char
: payne to cry Vivc rEmpcrrur," lately ss
y 10 the correspondent OF the Edingbur
News, awe have greasy beef and watr
,e soup six days in the week, and soup naig
and beans the remaining day; the Preside
gives us ham and wine, and we cry out
le return what we think pleases him best
r Why sir, for bit OF ham, the best M
among US would cry, Niusk Didbk r-E
We fear there is too much truth in q
II above, and until such Indifference to 4
j. principles which lreemen should cherish.