Daily American telegraph., 1852-04-03
The United states Steamship susquehan-


The United states steamship susquehan-
ma and her Mission 10 the East.
We publish below part of a letter from young
gentleman on board the United States steam
frigate Susquehanna, which has interested US, as
it contains an account of the adjustment OF the
difficulties between our government and the
Imaum of Muscat
| II NAV 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 dominions extend from the Persian Gulf
along the coast of Arabia and Africa, to the
tenth degree of south latitude-a distance of some
eighteen hundred miles. His principal residence
is in the island of Zanzibar. An active trade
has been carried on for thirty years more be-
tween our own country and the dominions Of the
Sultan. He has shown himself very friendly to
our merchants and seamen, and has endeavored,
in every way, to cultivate intercourse with US!
Within two or three years, however, he has felt
less cordiality. He thought, perhaps, that his
superb presents to our Presidents were not prop
erly appreciated and that his long and elaborate
epstles, upon which the learning of all his Ulemas
was doubtless lavshed, as token of his respect
| for America were coldly received and discour-
teously neglected. Be this as it may, he refused
on one occasion to salute our flag, and our Con-
| sui was obliged to withdraw.
Commodore Aulick was charged to touch at
Zanzibar and settle, if practicable, these Difficult
ties. He was, we understand, the bearer of
letter to the Sultan, which, like everything else
that has of late emanated from the State Depart
ment, was dignifed, firm, and yet conciating
The sequel is told by our young friend:
U. s. STEAMER SUsoUEHANNA,
Point de Gale, Jan. ], 1852.
We arrived here on the 25th ultimo Christmas
day, sixteen days and some hours from Zanzibar.
presume you know the object of our visit to
that place; it was to settle the difficulties be-
tween Mr.. Ward, our former Consul, and the
Sultan, about saluting our Consurs flag on our
national holiday, the 4th Of July. On our arrival
at Zanzibar we found that the Sultan was not
there but was 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 Khaled, rules here during his fathers
absence, and from him we obtained the desired
information.
The day after our arrival, Commodore Auick
called upon him by agreement, and requested
that he should, on the hosting of our flag at eight
o'clock next morning, salute it with twenty-one
guns, which salute would be returned, gun for
gun and that he would then appoint one of the
American merchants resident there acting United
States Consul 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. To these terms he made no
objection except to his firing first, which he said
was contrary to the custom of his country; but
if the Commodore would fire first, he would an
swer. This the Commodore declined doug, in |
sisting upon his firing first, as an atonement for
not having fired salutes 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 a
Consul. After considerable hesitation and dis
cussion, this point was finally conceded by him,
and thus this important question between the two
governments was satisfactorily settled.
A day or two after this interview, the Prince |
gave grand dinner to all officers was
present, and had the curiosity to taste of every
hing upon table. Goats meat was the only ami
nal food. You could not tell it from mutton
As to the other dishes, can give you no idea
IF them, as each seemed to have flavor peculiar
10 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 was sherbet drink
much used in Zanzibar and among the Arabs |
generally. 1t is very pleasant, and to all ap-
pearances harmless. 1t has all the semblance
Of water, but is very different in flavor, being
very highly scented with rose-water.
While at Zanzibar, the Prince extended to US,
in the kindest manner, all the civilities and hos
FATALITIES 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 Pinang Straits of Malacca) Gazette of
the 18th Of January furnishes us with the fol-