Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-08-03
Navixator,s Islands.

Interesting information regarding this group Of
Pacific Islands, Of which so little Is known, ap.
pears ia private letter communicated to the CALI
fornia Chronicle.
There had been but four arrivals Of vessels at
Upolu, for three months.
In thrty-iour consecutive days, ending April
l2th there had been but two days without rain,
and greater part Of the time IL came down in
floods.
These islands ore green, mountainous, and pic
turesque, abounding In all the productions Of trop-
ical climates Nature has done 30 much for them
that the natives need but do little more They are
accordingly, agood-natured indoent, well-disposed
people-hospitable 70 the stranger, though not sl-
ways entirely disinterested In their hospitality and
appearing TO attach considerable importance TO the
doctrine Of reciprocity, in their attentions aud
presents. The nien are Of good size and personal
appearance The women are generally stout, and
may be called handsome.
The population of the entire group Of islands Is
estimated at $4,000 The foreign population mum
bers but 100.
The Samoans are now almost entirely under the
influence Of the missionaries, and reading and wIi-
ting are very common Accomplishments. In natu.
raj Intellect, they will not suffer In comparison with
the whites. What they lack mainly Is energy,
and the requirements Of civilization-not the
pacity.
Upolu is a beautiful spot for temporary resi-.
dence; but to one who places much account on
his morning newspaper, or bis semi.monthly let
ters, IL IL not the place for permanent abode. IL
is peaceful, monotonous island whose waters arc
yet TO be disturbed by the first steamer, and
happy landi-where editors are yet at discount
There is Missionary paper published about once
twelvemonth. To the invalid the climate Is ge.
nal and restorative can confidently recon.
mend residence here to persons Of weak lungs,
or delicate health generally The mildness, and
particularly the uniformity Of the temperature
adapt Il 10 such constitutions. Eighty degrees
Fahrenheit is the average from six A. NJ, TO twelve
Pm. The wet season extends from September
TO March; the dry season from March 70 Septsm.
ber-when there are only occasional showers
There Is little difference IN the temperature, how
ever, In the respective seasons; neither Is there
much in this respect TO distinguish the nights from
the days. One can, with impunity, and indeed
must have his apartments always open to the air
And there is no lack Of good fresh-water bathing.
places, where the water is almost always Of the
right temperature. One must not mind IT, indeed,
IL Samoan woman or girl comes along occasion.
ally, casts off her "lava, lava, honors him with
her company In the water, and afterwards make
her toilet before him, in primitive style. Such
things are never noticed, except by strangers.
Another item which renders these islands suit
able place Of soourn for the valetudnarans, is the
small expense of the necessares of life. There
are no boarding houses which offer a ft home for
such an one yet native house can be built at no
| great expense in a manner to answer every puI
pose In this climate. And one can, with little
| trade (cotton cloth, tobacco kncknacks.) with
which il is well for every TO be provided, pro
/ cure fruit and vegetables at an actual cost which
is very trifing. We got no fresh meat but pork,
and no potatoes that are raised here except few
sweet potatoes. Pigs can be purchased in most
places for two or three cents per pound but there
Is "taboo" put on the sale Of these animals Chose
raised by the natves) which increases the price to
about Eve cents. Fowls, 25 cents each; ducks,
30 cents; turkeys, 81 For ysms there s an es-
tablished price, which Ia equal to about one cent
| per pound The islands are covered with tsro and
bread fruit There can be no food more 80 for the
human stomach. All kinds Of fruit are now plenty,