The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-17
TIE BOA CONSTRUCTOR.


animal kingdom, the equal of which is not to
be seen, perhaps, in any other part of the world.
Many years ago, a Padre or Priest while presi
ding over his flock in one of the towns in the
interior, obtained a serpent of the boa constric-
tor species. He tanned it, and has carefully
nourished it ever since, so that now it has at
tanned the enormous length of about thirty-fve
feet and the circumference of its body is more
than two feet. 1t is kept in cage eight feet
long by four and three wide and high, and lies
coiled up and motionless except when feeding,
which ia about once in twelve or fourteen days.
On one occasion when l was visiting his
snakeship, live pig, weighing forty or fifty
pounds, was thrown into his cage. Immediate
ly the immense folds of the serpent surrounded
the animal, and squeal, struggle, and q few
convulsive movements, we're all that indicated
its expiring agony. After about fifteen min.
utes, the serpent began to unloose his folds,
carefully watching his victim, to be sure that it
was safe. Then, commencing at the pigs head,
he gradually drew the whole animal into his
mouth, in doing which, fifteen or twenty min
utes more we're occupied. The serpent's lower
jaw seemed capable of expanding to almost
any extent, but the upper one retained its
shape during the operation. Strange as it may
appear, none of the American residents could
tell where this serpent was kept, and very in
telligent captain, who has sailed to Manila for
six years, had never heard of it. aIs
THE wAvERLEY TRAGEDY
1t will be strange piece of news to most of
your readers, to learn that the officers and
crew of an American ship have been confined
in the prison of Manila for almost one year
and half On visiting them, found the Of
hcers in comfortable and airy room up stairs !;
but the crew we're in rooms on the ground floor,
which must be damp and unhealthy in the
rainy season. Two of them had died, and the
others were wesried by their long confinement.
1t would be long story to give all the particu-
lars of this melancholy affair. The following is
but an outline:
The ship Waverley, with four hundred and if
ty Coolies from China, for South America, put
into Manila in charge of the first mate, to bury
the captain, who had died few days after leav-
ing port. The vessel was put in quarantine at
Cavite, eight miles from Manila. Soon after
coming to anchor, the Coolies manifested signs
of mutiny, and were driven below. The hatch
es were fastened down, and the mate went
ashore with the body of the captain. On his
return, twelve or fourteen hours afterwards, the
matches were taken up and about two hundred
and fifty of the Chinese were found TO have
persisted. The awful scenes under that deck
cannot be imagined. Some had died from suf.
location, some had committed suicide, and
others, perhaps, had been killed by their com
rades. 1t would seem that there we're some
open places for ventilation, and to get at them
was cauee of desperate strife, while they were
thus partly or wholly closed. The awful TRACE
dy caused an intense excitement. The officers
and crew were put into prison, and the affair
was investigated by the Spanish authorities
The officers were sentenced to ten years trans
portation, and the crew to four and six. 1t
would appear, from all the facts could learn,
that the Spanish authorities were to blame in
not sending aid to the ship when it was called
for, and the mate affirms that he acted under
their orders as well as from the necessity of the
case in closing the matches.
Whatever may be the real facts of the case.
it is not to be expected that fair investiga,
ton and just decision could be had, where ig
norance and corruption are notorious charac-
teristics of the judges. The Government of the
United States has been shamefully negligent of
these men. 1t has made no effort to secure
them justice, nor to deliver them from prison
if innocent. Whatever the crew of the ship
did, they are supposed to have acted under the
orders of superior officers, and would in any
enlightened country be pronounced innocent
1t Is known that the Spanish authorities were
anxious to deliver the men to be tried by the
laws or their own country, but months passed
away, and no demand was made for them. At
the time left Manila they were expecting a
new trial, the result of which was uncertain.
The kindness of the American Consul and
others has done much to promote the comfort
OF the men in their long confinement under the
heat OF tropical sun.
Another subject which claims the attention
and action our Government, is the want of q
suitable place for burial and the privilege of
holding Protestant service. The only place al
lowed to heretics to bury their dead, ia a part
of that used by the Chinese, and which is al
most inaccessible in the rainy season. The
privilege of erecting Protestant chapel is one
which should Immediately be demanded. There
Is no heather country where freedom of wor
ship is not granted to all, and the spirit of the
age forblds that any people protesting to be
civilized should be 30 barbarous. The number
OF English and American residents in Manila
Is sufhclent to Justify the appointment of a
chaplain and the condition of young men, go
ing away from the influences of home and re-
hglous society, into the midst ola semi.civilized
and bigoted people, is such as to REQUIRE the
guidance of a religious teacher to restrain them
from falling into vices which will ruin both their
physical and moral natures. 1t is to be hoped
that our Government and that of England will
Immediately attend to this matter.
TRIP TO THE INTERIOR
stranger visiting the Philippines wishes to
see the interior of Lnzon before he leaves.
Having obtained the necessary "pass" from
the Captain General, myself and two compan.
ions prepared to avail ourselves of the privilege
OF passing freely and securely through the
provinces of La Laguna and Bahamas" A
banca large canoe) propelled by four men and
few days provision were prepared for us, and
we embarked on Monday afternoon. Ten miles
up the river Pasig brought us to town of the
same name, where we called on Spanish Off
Ger, who provided US with brace of pistols and
shot gun, to defend ourselves against talisa
noes" soldiers who have deserted and become
highway robbers. A few miles farther, we en-
tered the Lake of Bay, which we crossed du-
ring the night, and early in the morning landed
at Jsla Jsla, point of land which projects into
the Lake, and famous as the residence of NJ
Givlonere, the author of Twenty Years in the
Philippines" The estate is now owned and
occupied by NJ. Vide, who cordially received
US. He seems 10 rejoice in his voluntary
exile, and yet IS man of lively, sociable, dis
position.
Except an occasional visiter, his only COM
panions are the natives, several hundred of
whom live in village on his estate. He is a
kind OF patriarch among them, giving them oc-
cupation, and defending them from the incur.
sions OF robbers. In the afternoon, NJ. Vide
provided us with horses and guide, to take us
over the mountain to the other side of the
point, where our banca was waiting for us.
During the night we crossed an arm of the
Lake to its eastern side, and in the morning
landed at Santa Cruz, where we took a carriage
and rode eight miles over beautiful wide
road, through orchards of cocoa.nut betil trees,
to Paixanjan. At this place we obtained a
small banea to ascend the river, which was the
object of our visit. About two miles above the