Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-10-27
From the New York Tribune.
THE JAPAN EXPEDITION.

puoIica'Ion from MT. DayaEu aylol slnce
he joined the Japan fleet, but private note
from him dated on June &c, a. the hsrbor
of Napa Kiang, Loo Choo, states very brief
ly5a few facts Of interest which, it is not i'm
proper for US 10 communicate TO our readers.
) He writes as follows: "Behold me here, in
this remote and rarely-visiled corner of the
Pacific, sweating under torrid sun, clothed
IN the llghtest nndressed uniform allowed
by the Navy Regulations, and living from
hand to mouth, now on salt-horse and sea-
buIscult, and now on turtle steaks and Wild
BOAR outlets. have not yet been two
months in the service, but lis ordered srt-
fetal life is so new and peculiar, so differ
ent from all my previous experiences, that,
although am now tolerably at home in it,
the time seems greatly prolonged. have,
in fact, seen and done great deal since
leaving Shanghai. We sailed on the l7th
of May, leaving the Plymouth there and af-
ter detention of three days at The mouth
of the Yang-tse Kiang, sailed directly for
this place, at the Southwestern corner Of
the Grea, Loo-Choo Island, where we ar
rived on the 26th. Probably not more than
a dozen vessels had ever been here before,
with the Saratoga and Supply, created, as
you may suppose, an immense sensation.
Loo Choo is tributary to the Japanese
Prince of Satsuma, and the people are Ja-
panese in dress, customs end government,
though not, as | think, in race. They sp-
proximate nearer to the Malay. After the
Regent had been received on board, and q
good understanding established, the Com
modore appointed party Of four-of whom
] was oDe-to explore the interior of the
island. No white man bad ever been more
than three miles from Nara before.
! We took four men end some Chinese
coolies with us and started on six days
tramp, during which we made 1OS miles and
thoroughly explored more than one-half the
island. We were attended by Government
officers, who acted as spice, but did not at
tempt TO control our movements. We led
them such dance as they never had before,
bu. it was impossible TO escape their espion-
sge. 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 one
Of the most beautiful in the world; very
fertile, admirably cultivated, and combines
in its scenery the characteristics both of the
lroplc and temperate zones. We discovered
a ruined castle, $50 feet long, on the summit
of mountain, besides many ancient tombs,
hewn in the rocks. The northern part OF
the island is mountainous, and covered with
dense forests, in " hch wild bears are found.
The uip was altogether the most fantastic
and peculiar ! ever made. We took a tent,
bu, lodged mostly in the cung quaS, or TO-
vernment houses, which are very neat and
comfortable. Our native escort furnished
US with provisions and bearers for our bag
gage. On Monday, the 9th instant, the Com
modore returned The Regents visit at Sheudi,
The royal residence, three miles from here.
lie went in state with procession of more
than two hundred officers, seamen and ma
rines, with two field pieces a'd two bands
Great numbers Of the natives came to wit
ness our array. We entered the royal cas-
lie a. Sheudi, but did no. see either the
young Prince or the Queen Dowsger. AZ
ter the reception we had grand native din
ner at the Regents house. ! par.ook of
lhirly-one nondescri pit dishes, and was then
obliged TO stop. Everything passed off re-
markedly well. We left here on The 9Th for
the Benin Archipelago, eigh. hundred miles
to the eastward of this, taking the Saratoga
in tow, and leaving the Mississippi and Sup
ply behind.
After delightful voyage Of five days we
reached Port Lloyd, the harbor of Peel Is
land, where we remained four days. was
appointed to The command Of an exploring
party. The island is only six miles long,
but very rugged, and covered with the dem
sest tropical vegetation. | never had such
a hard days work in my life, although we
only travelled IL miles. had seven men
Officers and seamen-wi,h me. Two Of
them broke down completely, third bare
ly dragged himself along, and the others
were wofully fatigued. We climbed down
mile of precipces by holding on to the
corners Of rocks and the roots Of trees, shot
a wild boar, kindled fire and roasted his
flesh, and had grand time generally. The
Benin Islands are of volcanic formation, and,
though in lat. % deg. N, the vegetation is
that which is elsewhere found near the F.
quator. The inhabilants-30 in all-are
English, American and Kanak-mos.ly run
away sailors, who raise a few vegetables
hch they sell to sailors. Port Lloyd is a
splendid and secure harbo7, and the only
one in all this part Of Pacific which will an
swer as stopping place and calling station
for our new Pacific steamers, when they ge,
under way. We can even afford TO lose the
chance Of station in Japan, if we ge, Port
Lloyd. Altogether have employed my
time pleasantly and profitsbIy, since enter
ing the service. We returned on the 23d
and found the Plymouth in from Shanghai
with the mais-my frs. news from home
is nearly seven months. We leave here for
Jeddo in three days. The length of our
stay is Of course uncertain, bu. as soon as