The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-28
Interesting from the ChineAa Isiands.
HAMPTON ROADS,
Norfollr W. Mau LIZ lQEl {

How they Apsuse hemseiues here-Bodt Racing Din
ny Parties, dc.-Ho0 Long piu the Supply Of Gissno
Laa?-Horribe and Outrageous Treatment Of the Chinese
Ldtorers or Coolies, dc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The ship - reached the Chincha Islands in Oc-
tober, 1853. II is unnecessary to state particularly
where those islands are situated, or what they con-
tain, for it is pretty generally known that they are
the great guano depot of Peru and the world, and
that hundreds of ships, displaying the flags Of all
nations visit them annually for that precious Dust
the virtue Of which is known to every agrculturist
in the States. When ship arrives near the anchor
age, she has visit from several of the waiting ship
masters, one of which, who has made himself ac-
quainted with the best unoccupied ground, acts as
pilot and conducts the new arrival to clear berth.
The "mudhook" down and convenient hour visits
numerous, to inquire for letters, and break the
monotony of life at the islands. The required time
for lay days is ten for every one hundred tons but
it depends entirely upon the size Of the ship how
long you are detained among the Ammonias. The
most numerous part of the great California feet now
stop at Ammonia Islands for return cargo, among
which our beautiful clipper ships; and as they
of heavy tonnage SO in proportion their lay
days of enjoyment. We made our appearance at the
restored and the talk upon the subject had not yet
died away. There were different opinions as to the
culpability Of the parties engaged; but in OPT
MON all the Americans were united, and that was,
if government had done her duty, and had had
national vessel there protect the interest of her ct
zens, and defend American ship masters from the
tyranny of petty government, the g Pelican war
would not have occurred. About six months after
this insult to the Star-spangled Banner" the fri
gate st. Lawrence lay at Caao, giving parties and
returning visits, exchanging salutes and honoring
the little would-begreat men. If you asked any of
the gentlemen what they doing, the invariable
answer would be-" Waiting dispatches" We
left her in Callao waiting dispatches, and, for
aught we know, she is still performing the same
monotonous duty in Callao or elsewhere About
one hundred and twenty ships are continually at
the islands, averaging, say, thirty souls board,
making floating population" of 3,600-quite
town upon the water 1t was very pleasing, too, to
see the fair well represented by the wives of
many ship masters, both American and English; and
that natural influence Of the ladies the sterner
sex was as apparent among the ships in a distant
land as upon the soil of our native homes.
Boat races were "got up" both by sailing and
pulling" dinners given, card parties made, and
by some few who did not know how to enjoy, or
could not appreciate, the society where innocent
amusement reigned in triumph, sought the secret
societies which meet at midnight, and can't " go
home till morning" A pulling match came of on
the 2Gth of November at the appointed ship; the
boats gathered at the starting point before the sea
and back to the given point the shortest time being
entitled to small prize made up from the entrance
money Of each boat The two leading boats appeared
pretty nearly matched, and when they reached the
aef ond aftb ioI md tvUoo ha0A Nh md thou
No. 2 but No. seeing that the chances were not
SO favorable as they wished, shot in between rock
and the point of the island to windward of No. l,
thereby expecting to gain boats length ahead
steersman to put boat through this dangerous
pass in safety It would have been accomplished
had not the " after 0arsman " GRABBED his oar. "
The instant that fault was committed, No. 2 sheer
ed upon the rocks, and was Immediately dashed to
pieces. No. /, viewing the catastrophe, {" hauled
up to the rescue of life, giving the chance to No.
close at their heels who continued on, and won the
After the boats all got in about fifty gentle
men sat down to collation. and ended the amuse-
| ments of the day. The next race was sailing
match. About forty boats entered such as the
ships could muster, forming great variety, among
which were the English clinker.built, Of four tons
bmthen; the American whale boat yawls, and surf
boats-in fact boats Of all sizes and models, from
| the four tons down to no tons. We stood upon
South Island, elevated one hundred feet above the
level of the sea, when the tiny feet was entering
between the islands. 1t an interesting sight to
behold, and an exciting one to those Immediately
concerned The stern boats were trimming their
sails, and manGuvring to get to windward, or vie
with those ahead. The four-toner won the race; a
New York boat followed in her wake, and was with
in two minutes Of her time the others continued to
arrive for more than one hour before they were
all in.
The last dinner previous to our departure was an
American one, got up by subscription, and given on
board Of the American ship Celestial Empire, o
three-deck ship, Of some sixteen hundred tons.
Every American shipmaster, from the boys to the
old gray backs" were invited to join, and num-
Der OF English gentlemen. The ladies'" God bless
them'-were the invited guests, together with the
newlyapponted guano Governor and suite. No
affair of the season." and they succeeded. The
upper between decks, was decorated with foreign
flags as well as national. A representation of the
father Of our country on Canvass with the words,
in royal arch over his head First in war, first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen"
was obtained from the New York ship Baltimore,
and held conspicuous place. Plates were laid for
one hundred and twenty. The between decks was
converted into grand hall for the occasion, and
furnished together with the table, by contributions
from other ships committee obtained the wines
and marketing at Pisco, town some ten miles dis
tant, on the continent A part of the cooking and
pastry was executed on board Of other ships; in
fact, every arrangement made and every precaution
taken to prevent "misstays." Among the viands
were all the delicacies Of the season. including de-
lcious grapes which appeared for the first time.
Inc gunner was scIVeu up NJ HSe CiOCh Uut uOtuHB
was hurried-all had ample time to enjoy the ban
quet. Pleasure, cheerfulness, and enjoyment were
general. After the cloth was removed the wine
glass passed temperatey around, the ladies politely
not refusing to respond to compliment by slipping
one glass from the south side Of Madeira" Among
other toasts, Health to the President Of the
United States" and "Queen Victoria" were drunk,
when the three following were presented to the
company by bashful gent, and repeated by the
vice.president Of the board, with good emphasis,
elciting general applause. Standing, and pointing
to the portrait Of Washington: +" The memory OF
that portrait! Although the original form has long
been crumblcd into dust may his spirit never for
sake u.s." "Union Of all Nations-May the day be
not far distant when honorable war will be struck
from the worlds vocabulary, and honorable peace
be the countersign OF all nations" ITO Captain
Pierce, President of the Board-May he not, like his
illustrious namesake, be obliged to retire at limit
ed period, but continue to command an Empire
(CelestiaD long after Franklin Pierce retires from
republic" After which some sentimental and pa
triotic songs we're sung by the gentlemen, and
echoed back by the sweet voices Of the ladies. All