Butte record., 1853-11-26

been two months in the service, but its
ordered artificial life is SO new and pc
cuiar, 50 different from all my previous
experiences, that although | am no%
flerably at home in it, the time seems
greatly prolonged | have, in fact, seen
and done good deal since leaving Shang-
hal We sailed on the 18th of May,
leaving the Plymouth there, and after a
detention Of three days at the mouth of
the 1ang-tse-kiang, sailed direct for
this place, at the southwestern corner Of
the Great Loo Choo Island. where We
arrived on the Goth Probably not more
than dozen vessels had ever been here
before, and the arrival Of our two great
steamers, with the Saratoga and Supply,
&eaied, as you mag suppose, an immense
sNSation. Loo Choo Is tributary to the
japanese Prince Of SatSuma, and tLA-
people are japanese in dress, customs
and government, though not as | think,
IN race. They approximate nearer to
the Malay After the Regent had been
received on board, and a good under
standing established, the Commodore ap-
pointed party OF four-of whom l was
one-to explore the interior Of the island
No white man had ever been more than
three miles from Napa before. We took
four men and some Chinese coolies with
US and started on q SIX days tramp, du-
ring which we made los miles and thor
oughly explored more than one-balf the
island. We were attended by Govern
ment officers, who acted as spies, but did
not attempt TO control our movements.
We led them such dance as they never
had before, but it was impossible 10 es-
cape their espionage Scouts were sent
IN advance wherever We went, and the
natives driven away from the road The
inhabitants either shut up their houses
or hid themselves--not through fear Of
US, as many little incidents proved, but
! Of their own rulers. The island is oI,e
of the most beautiful IL the world-very
fertile, admirably cultivated, and eombi-
ming in Ifs scenery the characteristics
both of the tropic and temperate zones.
We discovered ruined castle, 800 feet
long, on the summit Of a mountain, be-
/ sides many ancient tombs, hewn in the
rocks. The northern part of the island
IS mountainous, and covered with dense
forests, in which Wild boars are found
The trip as altogether the most fantas-
tie and peculiar | ever made We took
tent, but lodged mostly in the cung
qua's, or Government houses, which are
very neat and comfortable. Our native
escolt furnished US with provisions and
bearers for our baggage
On Monday the 9th instant, the Com
inodore returned the Regents visit at
/ Sheudi, the royal residence, three miles
( from here He went IN state with a
/ procession Of more tnan two hundred of :
/ GERS, seamen and marines, with two field
pieces and two bands Great numbers of
the natives came to witness our array.
Ne entered the royal castle at Sheudi,
but did not see either the young Prince
or the Qweon Dowager After the re-
ception We had grand native dinner a,
thy Regents house. | partook of thirty
one nondescript dishes, and was then OBJ
liged to stop. Every thing passed off
remarkably well We left here on the
9th for the Benin Archipelago, eight
hundred miles to the eastward of this,
taking the Saratoga in tow, and leaving
the Mississippi and Supply behind. After
delightful voyage of five days, we
reached Port Lloyd, the harbor Of Ped
Island, where We remained four days. I
was appointed to the command of an ex-
/ ploring party. The island is only six
miles long, but very rugged, and covered
with the densest tropical vegetation. l
never had such a hard days work in m,
life, although we only travelled twelve
miles, had seven men, officers and
seamen, with me Two Of them broke
down completely, third barely dragged
himself along, and the others were wo-
fully fitisued. We climbed down mile
Of precipices by holding on to the corners
of rocks and the roots Of trees, shot Il
wild boar, kindled fire and roasted his
flesh, and had 3 grand time genel ally.
( The Bonion Islands are Of volcanic for
nation, and though in lat. 27 n, the
I vegetation is that which is elsewhere
found near the equator The inhabit-
ants, thirty in all, are English, American
and kanaka-mostly runaway sailors,
who raise few vegetables which they
sell to ships. Port Lloyd is a splendid
and secure harbor, and the only one in