Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-08-27

!, food. After much talking amongst themselves
they brought us some rice and fish, which we ate
They then motioned us to be off | took them te
our boat and made signs to them that it was i'm.
possible for us to go to sea in such small thing
and that if they would give us the materials fol
building larger one, we would go away in it
On this there was another consultation amongs
them, and one of them wrote something on piece
OF paper and sent man away with it. In about
half an hour he returned with letter. which was
read aloud by one of them, and we were then or
dered to get into our boat again, after being
searched and deprived of everything we had about
us.
They then got another boat to tow ours I'D the
river, along which we proceeded until we got to q
lake, on one side of which stood house all cover
ed with mats, which we were made to enter. We
remained in it until night, when they came again
with lanterns and ordered us to follow them, mo-
tloning to us that if we endeavored to 90 in any
other direction we would be killed. We followed
them on foot for three or four hours until we came
to town, where we were introduced into a brick
building that appeared to to be the prison of the
town. They then locked us all up in a small cell,
and kept vigilant watch over us during the whole
OF the night. In the morning we were blindfolded
and led to the house of the governor, where we
were questioned and examined and asked if we
were Englishmen, after which they led us again to
our prison. Not day passed without our being
examined and questioned regarding our country,
rellglon, and every other particular that could be
thought of. They made themselves understood to
us by signs, and principally by drawings on paper,
at which they were very expert. In this prison we
continued for about eleven months, and not once
did we set single foot out of it during that time.
Every day we had an allowance of rice fish and
water, and once they gave sort of liquor called
sake. We drank it, and it naturally revived us
and made us feel little more cheerful they then
again examined us and took down our dispositions
in writing thinking, perhaps that under the infu-
ence of the liquor we would give them whatever
information we had before endeavored to suppress
About this time all the men, with myself fell SICK
and what with this, the miserable situation were in
and the treatment met with from our guards,
who frequently struck us and insulted us in every
possibly way they could, gave up ali hopes of
ever getting out of our prisons alive. We got bet
ter, however, and were informed that we had to
90 on to Jeddo where the Emperor lived. They.
put us on board of junk and slowed us all in the
hold-a dark, filthy place; and during the time we
were in her, some three or four months not sim
gle moment were we allowed to step on deck to
breathe the fresh air or see the light.
One day we were made to wash ourselves, and
Iclean clothes were glven u.s. and we were conduct
ed into the cabin, which was beautifully fitted
up with silk and gold ornaments. They then
understand that we had arrived at city called
Matsamai, where the Emperors son lived, and
that he was coming on board to see us. BY and
by heard great stir outside, and all the people
about us fell their faces to the ground, and we
were made to do the same. Shortly after the
prince entered the cabin, accompanied by numer-
Gus suite. We were then again examined before
him and this time the questions put to us by
a Japanese who spoke Dutch, and who communi-
cef fpd with, Uh of ,h1y
Wells, who also spoke a little Dutch. This lasted
for about an hour, after which the prince departed
and in the evening we received box of fsweetmeats
which they said from him. He is a very
young man of handsome appearance, and on the
whole he seemed kindly disposed towards u.s.
The next day we continued on our voyage, and
were again left to the mercy of our jailors. We
then arrived at another city; when we were each
put into box, the lid of which was then fastened
down upon us, and in this way we were carried to
the town hall. Here we underwent another exam
nation, the questions being put to us by the same
interpreter who ac.ed in the same capacity at Mat
samai Their chief object in this, as in all exam
nations We went through, was to find out whether
we were not really Englishmen: and am of opin-
ion that had confessed ourselves of that nation
we would all have been killed. The interpreter
told us to beware how tried to mislead them,
they would find out who were when we got
to Nagasakie. They then brought box from
which they took out print of the cruciixion, and
told us to put feet upon it. On our hesitating
to do so the guards drew out their swords and
threatened to kill us, and so compelled every one
of us to trample on the print and spit upon 1t. A
couple of epaulets were then shown to us-one an
English naval officers and one an American-and
we were asked which of them belonged to our
country. After this we were again conducted to |
prison. One day were again summoned to the |
town hall where we were surprised to see man
in European dress sitting amongst our judges. lie
took no notice of at first, but sat writing and
talking to the Japanese. At last he addressed us
in Dutch to which we did not reply then in
French, which we also did not understand. He
then spoke English and said: " IL there any
John Bulls amongst you, you had better not say
anything about it." He then interrogated US con
cernng our country, our religion and the crcun-
stances relative to shipwreck, ETC., etc., all of
which were again interpreted to the Japanese, and
noted down in writing by them. He then told us
he had some hopes we would all be Set at liberty.
The council then broke up, and we were taken
again to prison. At this place one of the men tried
to escape from prison. and was inhumanly murder
ed by the japanese. He had made known his in
tentons to us previously, and we did all we could
TO dissuade him from it, but to do purpose, as he
said he would rather die than suffer any longer.
At last, after seventeen months in all of close con-
privation and i'll treatment, we were lib
Grated and sent TO the Dutch factory. Here we
we're received by the director of the factory. Mr..
Levyssohn, in whom we recognized the European
who nterrogated us at the town hall, and to whose
sctive and humane exertions we were indebted for
,ur release; and not only for this, but also for the
lind, generous treatment met with at his hands
Turing the rest of our stay in Japan, under
leep and lasting obligations to him.
"Ten days after, we were put on board the !
Dutch ship Hertogenbosch. Here we received the !.
est possible treatment and attention till our arri
al here, (Singapore,) when we were handed over
" the authorities to the United States CONSUL who
Though in very weak state of health extended ),
lis protection towards us, and furnished us with )
ew articles of clothing, ETC., we were much in !
eed of; for all which we feel extremely grateful.