The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-01-08

Modern Crusoes-We extract the
following from letter written by an
Indian officer on sick leave: After
We got clear of Java Head we had
fresh breeze from the southeast. and as
we had been unable TO take in water al
Anger, the captain decided upon doing
so at some small islands had never
heard the name of before; they are
called the Cocoas, and are abont 700 or
800 miles 10 the southwark and west
ward of Java Head Their history is
rather curious. A Capt Ross, formerly
of the East Indian service. lives on
them with his family. Before Borneo
was given up TO the Dutch, he was Co.
vernon of il. and while there. he ad-
vised the English Government to allow
him to build a sloop of war, as there
was such magnificent timber.
"She was launched only the day be-
fore the island was given up. but the
Dutch allowed him to finish her, and
the English Government then made
present of her 10 Capt Ross as a reward
for his services He cruised about in
her for many years, and, as it were, re-
discovered these islands, for they had
been known TO exist, although never
visited, He took fancy 10 them,
wrote home 10 England, and brought
out the whole of his family. The Eng
lish Government refusing him protec-
lion, he has placed himself under that
OF. the Dutch, and got 800 Malay slaves
whom he liberated upon arriving on
the islands, and formed a settlement
there.
His ship was lost on voyage to
Batavia and he was many years with
out having any intercourse with the
world: but being nearly sfarved-tor
the islands produce little more than
cocoanut trees-he built a schooner
making the ropes of the cocoanut fibre
and the sails of the thick bark that is
round the cocoanut tree just below the
branches. He was just sailing when
whaler put into the island, and from her
he procured canvas and went 10 Bata.
via since which time he has traded
regularly there, selling cocoanut oil, Of
which he makes great quantities.
having steam engine of ten horse
power to bruise and press the nut
About the sixth day from Java Head |
we sighted the islands, which are very !
low, covered TO the waters edge with |
trees. There are abnnt 81 of them, /
the largest of them not three-quarters
of mile broad; they are in a circle. |
reefs joining them, and forming a mag
nificent lagoon, to which there is only
one entrance. went on shore early
the morning after we anchored, and
pulled about three miles up the lagoon
to the settlement Their chief amuse.
menr appears to be sailing boats, Of
which there are immense numbers. and
managed beautifully | counted near
y 80 as we pulled up, sailing away to
he different islands 10 pick up the nuts.
Capt. Ross is strange, gaunt look
ng man he and his sons resemble
Robinson Crnsoes. They live in wood
IN houses, raised about ten feet, on
,iles, from the ground, and are as .
ough as you can we'll imagine. They
lave books, and the quantity Capt. Ross
las read is wonderful. He has been
6 years in the islands. The Malays
re lazy set of fellows; he pays them
0 much day, and so well that they
gon't work more than two or three days
week. The greatest punishment he
nf1icts is to Danish them from the ISL :
nds.D