Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22
FROM CHINA.

M,ssrs GALES & SEAToy: Under the idea that if you
Sford room for the following extract from letter
dated United States ship Po0dataa, HoHgkong, august !,
1863 il will furnish matter of interest many Of your
readers, offer it for that purpose. 3.
ill here give you brief sketch Of visit to Bor-
neo We anchored of the river Bruni the 9Th Of July
aboU thirty miles from the city where the Sultan resides
Capt McCLuSEY having been appointed by our Govern
mento exchange the Publications Of treaty made with
the Sultan year two ago, went up to Bruni with
for that purpose and accompanied him with
detachment Of marines The river is small, its banks
high and studded with mangroye We reached the city
about sunset July 10th, and met by the Sultans
PRIZE Minister in State barge who kindly offered US
the Bultans reception palace for accommodation dur
ing the night The city is built in the river piles and
contains it is said, about 10000 inhabitants They re-
senible our Indians. The houses made Of bamboo
and matched with species Of palm leaves and boats
used in going from one house to another.
The Sultan received the next day. July 18th, at ii
o'clock, in the presence Of his chief officers. The
rnes and band formed in the reception hall in front
The Sulans officers occupied position his right, and
his left At II o'clock, according to appoint
ment his Majesty entered the hail. followed by of
his ocer when the marines presented arms, the drums
gave thrc, rolls, and the band played a march. The
Sultan took tho seat prepared for him in front Of
throne without speaking to any one and the band ceased
playing. After few moments conversation between his
Majest and Capt mckinney, through the interpreter,
Prince Makatah his first Minister, and Capt McCluney
signed the treaty; Immediately after which salute Of
twenty one guns fired from boat howitzers in
front Of thspaace. which returned by battery
shore His Majesty then rose and after shaking hands
with al Sicsrs, left the room; the marines again
presented arms, thu drums beat and the band played
they did when he Uttered.
The people are siarthy, and 60 almost naked. Their
religion is Mahomtan. The women have much farer
compilations than tip men, delicatey formed and
Their pretty The Urban is worn by the The Sui
tan is about FIVE fed six inches high rather robust of
mild countenance aid probably 6fyfve sixty years of
age. His palace made of the materials as the
other houses but il better style. 1t has but one floor
with partitions of ane but entering it the purple
curtains Turkish mats throne and otker decorations
show to fine effect
We returned tothe ship in the evening of the tn of
July, and sailed ext morning for Labuan, where we
rived same day
The navigation the coast of Borneo is exceedingly
difficult and dam erous The sea is studded with islands,
rocks and shoa which have been surveyed. The
day after we left Labuan struck rock in the
ing and sone exaggerated of it may get into
the papers, will give you a statement of the affair.
July 20.-At7 brailed up tho trysail At ia P. NJ.
stopped the en$ne to sound About five minutes after
during squat Of wind and rain discovered breakers
ahead and seh bow, and Immediately after the ship
struck quite hiayily forward. Backed the engine the
ship going aston Immediately, sounded the pumps, and
found she was making water You will perceive, my
dearest A. th fortunate that the engine stop
ped at the tine sound the ship had been 60
ing ten miles hour which speed might have done her
serious nj&y. When she struck she going but
about two niles hour, and she received injury.
The places that shall visit hereafter have been we'll
surveyed Ind have correct charts Of them, that
shall BIZ able to keep clear of rocks in future and
you need rot be alarmed about The commander is
now thu Loo-Choo Islands waiting for US whittier We
shall 20 B join him in a few days.