The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-28
CHINESE DISCOVERY OF AMERI
CA l4oo YEARS AGO.

CA 14oo YEARS AGO.
A correspondent Of the Francisco Bulle-
tin, James Hanley. Chinese interpreter,
directs attention to the fact that Chinese
history contains descriptions of vast
country many thousands of miles eastward
fsnra thnr,, .-l.;oh tl,ny nalin.l E.~~-. n.~1
which it is contended must be California
and Mexico. Their account states that in
A. D. 459, Buddhist priests had gone to
Fnsang. Tor America) and distributed Bud
hist tracts and images among the inhabi-
tants. In A. D. 400. forty years after
wards, several Buddhist priests arrived ut
Hingehau and reported various particulars
in reference to this country.
The Chinese historian calls the country.
Fusanc, from the name of particular tree
that grew there and which he. describes
thus:
..The leaves Of the fusang, when first
produced. resemble those Of the bamboo.
| The inhabitants eat the fruit like pears,
and weave its bulk into cloth for clothing
and articles Of embroidery. They have
! hooks which are written on the bark of the
fnsang.'' Of this tree (the magney) Pres
colt SAYS that its ~ bruised leaves afforded
paste, from which paper was made; its
Juice was manufactured into an Intoxicating
beverage, pulque, of which the natives TO
this day. are excessively fond; its leaves
supplied an impenetrable thatch for the
4 moro hnmble dwellings; thread, OF which
coarse stuffs were made, and strong cords
were drawn from its tough and twisted
fibres; pins and needles were mado OF the
thorns at the extremity of its leaves; and
the root when properly cooked, was con
verted into palatable and nutricious food
Tho magney, in short, was meat, drink
clothing and writing material for the Aztec
Surely. never did nature enclose in $" c"fn
1 pact n form so many Of the elements o
human comfort and civilization"
Mr. Hanley also says:
Most people in California have notice.
the similitude existing between the Chinese
both in feature and tho accent Of thei
monosy liable dialects, aud from my owl
expericnce 1 find that they arc nearly tn
same. The Chinese accent can be-trace'
throughout the Indian language; thougl
the most Of the Digger Indians with whom
l have converscd, speak great deal OF tn
ancient Aztec language"
HOOPS SAVED IIER.-As the steame
Commonwealth came alongside the whar
ot New London, Ct, on Friday night ''
the passage from Norwich to New York.
lody walked overload and would have becl
drowned but for the hoops in her dress
which rendered the same somewhat oelioon
i-h, and withal answered the purpose OF
more complicated life prcserver. The niGh
vns very dark. and it was nearly hail .
h,,r before she could be extricated iron
, her perilous situation, during which hn'
he hoope were sufficiently strong to buo
+ her up and prevent her from sinking
I TO THE PREss.-Willis. of the HON
; Journal, alluded to the common custom.
dinner and other public occasions, Of car
in. ont the press TO speak. says: "Accu'
TONED only to express himself at the point
ofhis fingers. IN editor is called on to spcn
, at public meetings; as If it were the sam
y thing 70 a pump TO give out its water fro
no.e or handle"