The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-11-02
Japan.-Our Expedition.

we Ilu Ill tue IN. . iiouuC lio lUI.
lowing most Interesting sketch:
We have received no letters intended
for publication from Mr.. Bayard Taylor
since he joined the Japan fleet but a pri-
va,e note from him dated on June 26, at
the harbor of Napakiang. Loo Choo, states
very briefly a few facts of interest. which
it is not improper tor US to communicate
to our readers. He writes as follows:
"Behold me here, in this remote and
rarely. visited corner of the Pacific, sweat
ling under a torrid sun, clothed in the
lightest under dress uniform allowed by
the Navy Regulations, and living from
hand to mouth, now on salt-horse and sea
biscuit, and now on turtle steaks and wild
boar outlets. | have not yet been two
months in the service, but its ordered, ar
lifcial life is so new and peculiar. so
different from all my previous experiences.
that. although | am now tolerably at home
in it, the time seems greatly prolonged.
since leaving Shanghai. We sailed on
the 18th Of May, leaving the Plymouth
there, and after a detention of three days
at the mouth of the Yang tse. Kiang, sailed
direct for this place, at the southwestern
corner oil the Great Loo Choo Island.
where we arrived on the Goth. Probably
not more than a dozen vessels had ever
been here before, and the arrival Of our
two great steamers, with the Saratoga and
Supply, created as you may suppose. an
immense sensation. Loo Choo is tributary
to the japanese Prince of Sa,suma. and
the people are Japanese in dress. customs
and government. though rot, as | think. in
race. They approximate nearer to the
Malay. After the Regent had been re-
ceived on board, and a good understanding
established, the Commodore appointed a
party Of four-of whom | was one to ex
plore the interior OF the island. No white
man had ever been more than three miles
from Napa before.
We took four men aud some Chinese
coolies with US aud started on a six days
tramp. during which we made 108 miles
and thoroughly explored more than one
half the island. We were attended by
government officers, who acted as spies, but
. dix not attempt to control our movements
We led them such a dance as they never
i. had before, but it was impossible 10 escape
their espionage. Scouts were sent in ad
n vance wherever we went, and the natives
driven away from the road. The inhabi'
h tapts either shut up their houses or hid
themselves-not through fear OF US, g;
many little incidents proved, but Of theil
own rulers. The island is one OF the
!, most beautiful in the world; very fertile
admirably cultivated, and combining il
It's scenery the characteristics both of lh'
tropic and tho temperate zone. We dis
/, pouaraH n ft,in ab a stlo EGO feet tOnn ar
the summit of the mountain. besides man,
ancient tombs, hewu in the rocks. Th'
northern part of the island is mountains
and covered with dense forests. in which
r wild boars are found. The trip was alto
gether the most fantastic and peculiar
ever made. We took a tent, but lodges
mostly in the cung gu1s. or government
!. houses. which, are very neat and comfort
n able. Our native escort furnished us wit
provisions, and bearers for our baggage.
,s Ga Monday. the 9th lust. the Cotnno
dore returned the Regents visit at Sheudi
the royal residence. three miles from here
5 lie went in state with a procession of NOR
than 200 officers, seamen and marines
IS with two field pieces and two bands
Great numbers OF the natives came to vii
10 ness our array. We entered the roys
castle at Sheudi, but did not see either tn
young Prince or the Queen Dowagei
After the reception we had a grand nativ
dinner at the Regents house. | partoo
of 81 nondescript dishes. and was the
n. obliged to stop. Everything passed o
remarkably we'll. We left here on the OF
a. Tor the Benin Archipelago, 800 miles
the eastward OF this, taking tho Saratog
in in tow and leaving the Mississippi an
Supply behind. Alter a delightful voyhg
"a of five days we reached Port Lloyd. tn
harbor Of Peel Island, where we rename
n. four days. | was appointed 10 the con
mand Of an exploring party. The islam
is only six miles long. but very ruggec
and covered with the densest tropical veg
OF taiion. | never had such a hard day
v. work in my life, although we only %travele
"a twelve miles. | had seven men-oficeI
ife and seamen-wlth me-. Two of the
er broke down completely, a third bare
nd dragged himself along, and the others wei
as woluily fatigued. We climbed down
ed mile of precipices by holding on TO Il
corners of rocks and the roots of tree
,s shot a wild boar, kindled a fire and roaste
as his flesh. and had a grand time general
IN L uO DoIi toioiiu ~ VI W
nv nation, and. though in lat. 81 deg. n
ed the vegetation is that which is elsewhe
found near the Equator. The inhabitan
10 $50 in an-are English, American ar
de Kanak-mostly runaway sailors, who raj
,e. a few vegetables which they sell to sailor
es. Port Lloyd is a splendid and secure ha
ELI Dor, and the only one in all this part ofil
Id Pacific which win answer as a stoppir
,se place and calling station for our ne
i Pacific steamers, when they get ind
way. We can aver afford to lose 4
chance of a station in Japan. If we G
in Port Lloyd. Altogether | have employ
my time pleasantly and proftably, sin.
err. entering the service. We returned on I
10. 23rd and found the Plymouth in fro
Shanghai with the mails; my first ne,
do. from home in nearly seven months. y
cd leave here for Jeddo in three days. T
length of our stay is of course uncertai
81 but as soon as | get back again to sor
!, Chinese port, | shall resign, and ma