The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-05
The Cruise Of the sloop Of War vincennes.

Gently returned to this port from the Pacific, after
three years absence, viii not be without interest
to the general reader, and to those who may wish
to know how Our ships employed in those piping
times of peace, and If their cost to the nation be
compensated for by equivalent services.
The ship sailed from New York on the 18th OF
November, 1919, and after the usual amount OF
gales Gains, and head winds, doubled Cape Horn in
safety, and reached her station early in the spring
At Valparaiso information was received Of revolu-
tion at Guayaquil-for such is tho dignifed name
given in South America to any little fare up among
the authorities the ship despatched to look
after the American interests in that quarter, and
while careful not to interfere with any of the ma
tonal rights of the people mentioned, to firmly pro-
test against and prevent any injury to American
commerce and property by the eADltsd passions of
contending factions This is kind of duty which
our ships are very frequently employed upon the
South American stations both in the Atlantic and
Pacifc and at times their presence has been of in
calculable advantage to our commerce, but which
makes no show, and for which the navy gets cre-
dit with the people. Ships of war are the police of
the seas, and if they cruise about without making
any seizures, performing one act of real service,
it does not prove their uselessness Their presence
prevents aggression and crime, viglant watch in
a city prevents attempts at thieving and house
breaking. 1t is very common to see in the papers
letters from Americans abroad, making severe at.
tacks upon the navy--representng asinactiye and
inefficient. These attacksare generally very unjust
ard tend to the prejudice Of tho service The writers
are frequently persons who have left their homes 70
the first time, and are Ignorant Of the customs and
habits OF any but their own people. They are an
challenge of sentlnes, and the oyerhaung ut guard
houses, seem so many insults and violations of their
liberty as American citizens They are loud in
their complaints which often lead to personal col
ilsons with the soldiers and poilce OF they
are worsted in such an unequal contest If man
ofwar should happen to arrive ut such a moment,
it is expected that forcible means will be used in
their favor at once. No commander would be JUS
titled in any such proceeding, and the thing is usu
ally effected by amicable measures, which is by no
means satisfactory to the injured party as tri
umph by force over his enemies-and the navy is
pronounced humbug Many an American bound
to California has found himself rescued from awk-
ward scrapes in the ports at which he has stopped,
through the influence and intercession Of officers of
the navy.
The vincennes, after remaining at Guayaquil until
matters became settled proceeded to San Francisco
and since then has visited in turn every port Of
any Importance, from Cape Horn to Oregon. She
has every where been received with respect by the
authorities, and rendered service to all Americans
have been studiously cultivated with all local
and national authorities. The ship was sent
10 the Sandwich Islands at the time on expedition
went from California for the purpose it was said Of
annexing the islands to the United States, or at
least bringing them more completely under the in.
fuence of the American people. Considerable mys-
tory exists as to their views and plans but nothing
come of 1.-THE expedition completely failed, and
the persons composing it returned to California;
This failure has been ascribed to the presence of
our ships of war, which were prepared to prevent
any forcibe seizures Of the rens Of government by
American citizens, Though any revolution they
might have effected BY mere moral force would have
met with no retardation From the natural result Of
position the future prosperity of these islands is so
Intimately connected with the United States as
vst brina them Nnder the entire SQatro! Of ARerj-
can infuence-whether to No Incorporated in the re-
public, be most advantageous or not, will be fu-
tuIe subject Of discussion and quarrel among poti-
clans. The natives of the islands have so often
been described, that it has become rather trite
subject; but civilized man will always feel inte
rest in this remarkable people. The first thing
which strikes the stranger, is their amiabe and
mild disposition, an entire want of care, dreamy
and voluptuous laDgour of the females; and the i'm
preston is given Immediately, that here on earth,
is realized the Mussuman's idea of paradise. Here,
the highest pleasures of have prevailed, to the
exclusion Of reason and her attributes, and in a
great measure, eyen Of avarice; hence many OF the
crimes of civilization were unknown. A climate
the most delightful in the world, which required
ture-the bread fruit, the cocoa nut, orange, and
banana, and the sea teeming with fsh-afforded
delicious food, without oher trouble than to gather
it. From morning until evening, their songs, prin
we'd without jealousy, and died without fear OF the
future Such a simple existence. notwithstanding
the frowns Of austere individuals, has something
even to civilized men, But their days
are numbered-they are passing away, as gay, as
lively, and as happy as of old In less than cen
tury at the present rate of decrease, not one Of
these people will be left. The white men have in
vaded their soil; and though their weapons are not
Europe, yet they are equally destructive-.the We.
nereal disease, and the rum bottle, silently do the
work ef the sword and the pike.
From the islands, the ship proceeded to Lucas
Straits and Puget's Sound making the passage in
thirteen days; the passage to the islands was made
"A fifteen days from San Diego. The northwest
winds and trades, in this ocean, afford great fac.
ties for sailing vessels in getting either to the east
or west. Clippers have made the passage to China
doubt but this can be averaged 1t would be we'll,
before large sums are expended in building steam
Grs, to reflect on this circumstance.
Lucas Straits and Puget,S Sound form together
beautiful sheet Of water, extending $50 miles into
the heart of the country-it is in many places not
30 wide as the East river at Brooklyn. 1t is filled
with innumerable islands-many of great extent,
Others Of only about q thousand acres. The smaller
Ones each Of which, in fifty years, will DO an estate
of great value, combining as they do every advan-
tage Of soil and position, have not now an owner,
or even name. Most Of the land is covered with
dense Forest principally the gigantic Oregon pine
Several sawmis have been erected, or are in the
course Of erection and several small vessels are en-
gagged in transporting lumber to San Francisco
The Vincennes sailed slowly up this great inlet,
now in the middle Of the stream, and again her
yards almost touching the overhanging branches,
frequently anchoring on account of currents or loss
of wind. For the most part OF the distance, the
perfect solitude is oppressive The smoke of set
tiers cabin disspates it for awhile and 1t is again
thrown off by the appearance Of half dozen
canoe loads Of Indians. At several points, where
large bodies Of Indians were collected the crew
exercised ut target shooting with the great guns,
for the purpose OF exhibiting TO these sons OF the
forest the superior power of the white man, and
showing the utter futlty Of any attempt on their
part to try strength with him. The crashing of
the thirty two pound shot through the forest, lop
ping off great branches, and often the top of the
tree itself, the explosion of the Paixhan Shells and
the roar Of the heavily charged guns, - ECHOED
back with great effect, quite amazed and astonish-
ed the poor creatures. The women covered their