The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-07
The United States Steamship Susquehanna
and her Mission to the East.

We publish below part of a letter from young
gentleman on board the United States steam frigate
Susquehanna, which has interested as it contains
account Of the adjustment of the difficulties be-
tween our government and the lmaum of Muscat.
II may be proper to state that the Sultan and
Imaum Of Muscat is one of the most enlightened and
powerful Of the native princes of the East His do
mnions extend from the Persian Gulf along the coast
Of Arabia and Africa to the tenth degree of south
aitude-a distance of some eighteen hundred miles.
His principal residence is in the island of Zanzibar.
An active trade has been carried for thirty years
more between our own country and the domniOns
ofthe Sultan. He has shown himself very friendly to
merchants and seamen, and has endeavored in
every way, to cultivate intercourse with us. With
in two three years. however, he has felt less
diaity. He thought, perhaps, that his superb pre-
sents Presidents not properly appreciated
and that his long and elaborate epstles upon which
the learning of all his Ulemas was doubtless lavish
ed as token of his respect for America, were coldly
received and discourteously neglected. Be this as
it may he refused on occasion TO salute our flag,
and our Consul was obliged to withdraw.
Commodore Aulick was charged to touch at Fan
zibar, and settle, if practicable, these difficulties.
He was we understand, the bearer of letter to the
Sultan which, like everything else that has Of late
emanated from the State Department, was dignifed,
firm, and yet conciliating. The sequel is told by
our young friend:-
U. S. STEAMER SUsQUEHANSA,
PoiNT DE GALE Jan. l, 1852.
We arrived here on the 18th ultmo, Christmas
day, sixteen days and some hours from Zanzibar.
i
place. it was to settle the difficulties between Mr..
Ward, our former Consul, and tho Sultan, about
sauting our ConsuFs flag on our national holiday,
the 18th Of July. On arrival at Zanzibar, we
found that the Sultan was not there, but at
Muscat. and was not expected for months to come,
being detained, it is said, by troubles among his
Arabian subjects. His son, Prince Said khaed,
rules here DUNG his fathers absence, and from him
we obtained the desired information.
The day after our arrival, Commodore Aulick
called upon him by agreement, and requested that
he should the hosting of our flag at eight o'clock
next morning, salute it with twenty-one guns, which
salute would be returned, gun for guns and that he
would then appoint one Of the American merchants
resident there acting United States Consult and that
when his flag was hoisted on his house, he should
salute it with nine guns, which would be returned
by the same number OF guns from our ship. 10
these terms he made no objection, except to his
firing first. which he said was contrary to the custom
OF his country: but ifhe Commodore would fire first,
he would answer This the Commodore declined
doing. insisting upon his firing first, as an atonement
for not having fired saiutes when they were due to
our flag. The Commodore stated to him that if
these terms were not complied with, he should go
away without hosting the flag or appointing con-
sui. After considerable hesitation and discussion,
this point finally conceded by him, and thus
this important question between the two govern
ments was satisfactorily settled.
4 day or two after this interview, the prince
gave grand dinner to all our officers. was pre-
sent and had the curiosity to taste Of everything
upon the table Goats meat was the only animal
food You could not tell il from mutton. As to
the other dishes can give you no idea Of them, as
each seemed to have flavor peculiar to ITSELF and
unlike anything that we know. They had rice.
however. cooked in several ways--plain, boiled
with sugar and boiled with spices Besides there
were all the fruits OF the island The only beverage
we had wassherbet. drink much used in Zanzibar
and among the Arabs generally. IT Is very plea
SAINT and TO all appearances harmless. II has all
the s.mblance of water, but is very different IN
flavor. being very highly scented with rose water.
While az Iinzibar, the prince extended to US, IN
the indes manner, all the civilites and hospitall-
ties that could be desired. We remained there
only six days and every day he sent on board ample
supplies OF fruit and vegetables for the officers and
crew.
The pinop2 (Strats Of Malacca) Gc-dte, Of the
Eth Of January. furnishes with the following in
telesting parasraphs:--
tThe United states steam frigate Sesquehanna.
OF about 5000 tons burthen, and 1000 horse power
engines. len Gale on the 9th inst, and arrived IN
our roadstead last Monday morning, with Comno-
dore Auck. commanding the United States squadron
in the East Indies and China seas during the
course Of the day. &. G.. Curricr. Esq. consul Tor
the United States Of America at this station, pro.
ceeded on board, and on hi. leaving salute Of
seven guns was fred from the steamer royal
salute in honor of the British flag, was then given
by the frigate, and returned by the fort. Shortly
after. the commodore landed, and the fort greeted
him with salute Of fifteen guns, which was returned
from the steamer.
"This steamer. we understand, was built at
Philadelphia about q year ago, and had left Amer
lea only seven months since. She will quit thi.
port for Singapore and China tomorrow morning
During her stay at Ceylon she was visited by about
eight thousand persons: and We have the gratifca-
ton 10 state that tho Commodore has kindly
granted permission to all parties. who may be de-
sirous Of 20 doing. TO visit the steamer and view
this beautiful monarch Of the ocean" The ap-
pearance Of the iiigate on shore is not very re-
marlable. but She il one Of great beam and depth
Of hold ard carries nine 6--p0unders The com
munity Of the station, we are glad to perceive
have been treated with the music OF the band OF
the friqate at the Fora Espanado in the evenings
ana we need not cay that TIL. favor viii be appre-
ciated by all
"Thc Rev. Mr. Bittinger of the United States
steam frigate SusQuchanna, delivered very eo-
quont discourse at the mission chapel on the eve
ming Of Thursday last. The subject though not
referring 10 any particular text in the Sacred
Records. was, however. founded on the general
glcuud Of mans salvation through the atonemont
III Christ. The address Of tho preacher was fluent
ana cNiemroIeneous, md the manner IN which he
uDfoldsd the love Of God 10 providing f,C s,aa's