Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-10-16

| Steam C0nnoAAcot1OA with the Weot.
For several years rapid communication
with China and other Oriental ports has been
a subject of discussion, both in the United
States and Europe. and the attention Of emf
| nent statesmen has been directed to the con-
| sideration of this matter, as well a. that of
merchants and capitalists. whose interest il
is to promote its Accomplishments.
Having visited China and the intermedi-
ate ports and islands. few suggestions IN
regard to the praciicability Of steam COM
muAication with the great continent west Of
US, and the numerous islands of the Pacific,
may not be out Of place.
The distance from San Francisco to
Shanghae is something over 5000 miles
the Sandwich Islands are about 2. 100 miles
S. w. of US, where, it is conceded by sll. a
depot for coal, provisions and water, will
have to be established. From the Sandwich
Islands to Shanghae. a distance Of about
1000 miles, large class steamer might well
make the passage without further supply
Of coal, &c.; but if the distance is too great,
then here are plenty Of ports where depot
caIsbe established, and that too without di-
verging much from q direct course. In the
group called the Ladrone Islands, are seve-
raj ports perfectly safe in every respect for
vessel of any size yet built, and provisions.
such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, potatoes.
yams, together with an abundance Of
oranges, lines, lemons, cocoanuts, pome-
granates, &c., can be obtained at trifling
expense. Among the most eligible harbors,
that of Port Lloyd on the BoDin, or Peel's
Island, would be the least out Of the direct
route from hence, to either of the ports in
China. 1t lies in lat. about 81 degrees
north, and long. l42 degrees east. Its har-
Dor is capacious, and protected from the sea
and wind, by being nearly surrounded by
land. The port of ST. Louis, on the Island
Of Guam. in lat. Ia degrees north. las de-
grees east, has one Of the best, if not the
best, harbor Of any of the Pacific Stands
Its size, anchorage, and above all, its per-
feet protection from any violent gales, far
exceed that of the far famed port Of Honolu-
lu. The soil of all those islands is luxuriant
almost beyond comparison-in fact, after
seeing large portion Of the globe, think
there is no place that excels the Ladrones
for the richness Of its soil or the salubrity Of
ITS climate. There you find an eternal
spring verdure clothes each hill and vale
with a never-fading mantle Of green; the
choicest fruits, spices, and flowers, grow in
profusion, and for miles distant the air 10
scented with their sweet perfume. Coal
they have none as yet, but it can be deliver
ed there for about 81 per ton. Wood Of
good quality is plenty, at about So per cord.
Don Antonio Verandah, the most wealthy
merchant in Manila, will at his own expense
build awharyes, storehouses, and further
interest himself, if parties establishing a line
of steamers require it.
TIE I odrona Tslando oro nsrf Of
cluster, better known as the PHILIPPINE
The natives are docile, and would be indus
trious if their attention was properly directed.
But with all their natural productions and
advantages, those islands yield no revenue
TO the home government. There is no place
where American industry, capital and enter
PRISE could be used to better advantage than
20 improve those islands, in the event Of
running from here to China.
The Bonin Islands belong to Great Britain,
but no advantage accrue to that government
by the possession. The distance from the
Ladrones to Canton is about the same as
rom here to the Sandwich Islands. The
great city Of Jeddo, on the Island of Japan.
S almost in direct line in making Shanghae.
Jmata, on the Island of Guam, has also
inc harbor. Though small in extent.
,eventy-four can anchor within cables
ength of the shore The scenery Of the
Whole group is unrivalled. You see there
10 freaks Of nature to pain the eye, no
barren or sun-burnt cliffs, nor putrid marshes.
The Islands Of Rota, Tinian and SayPan.
lave each equal harbors. scenery, and other
advantages for the pursuit Of commerce and
agriculture Those Islands, though cover
ng an extent of twenty degrees Of latitude
md fifteen degrees Of longitude, with lux
,rent soil and congenial climate, possess
,ut few inhabitants. For instance, the
sland Of Tinian, which is some sixty miles
ong by thirty wide, has not population Of
ver forty persons. and those are mostly
onvcts. So with the other Islands, except
Guam. There is located a sub-governOr.
me or two respectable families the rest
icing made up Of convicts from Manila, run
WAY sailors of all nations and few natives
md mongrel Spaniards.
Possessing such fine ports, with an abund-
nee of fruit. vegetables. fresh provisions.
md the purest of water, those islands are OF
he greatest Importance to whaling vessels.
or the purpose of recruiting their crews, and
supply of fresh food and water.
The harbors are mostly guarded by strong
orts, bAlt at the time of SPANS prosperity.
ut are without men or guns, or care, ana
My serve at the present time as an evidence
{ a nation 8 former enterprise and greatness
nd present downfall.
Should the ports ofJaPan be opened, there
mother resting place can be had but SIX
undred miles from the coast Of China, whero
oal provisions and other nccessaries can be
blamed Again, between the Sandwich
stands and Ladrones are several islands
here depots could be established for Pur-
oses of relief in the event Of accident.
The port of Shanghae is too well known to