Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-03-05
TERs1s OF ADvrRTTs1ra.

The ISLAND OF OLD PRovIDENcE.-In narrative of
the cruise Of the u S. figate Wabash just returned to
New York from service in the Home Squadron we find
the following description of the Island of Old Provi
dence
On the 9th of October this fgae sailed for the Island
of Old Providence to recruit. This island lies N. N
w. from Aspinwa in the direct track of the steamers
bound to Cape Antonio, and is about 200 miles from
the MAN, opposite the coast of Nicaragua. 1t is six
miles long by four broad with very extensive and dan
gerous reef about Is miles in length extending from it
northwardly 1t is of volcanic origin, and is peopled by
about 1000 negroes and whites the former largely pre-
ponderatlng There is not great deal of arabic land
but the island produces in abundance all the tropcal
fruits and corn and other vegetables grow luxurianty
when planted The oranges are of delicious Sort be-
ing of thin skin and very sweet There an abundance
of fine fish around the Island The inhabitants in
doen and filthy but hOSpable to strangers They sell
the products OF their land such pigs poultry and
fruit at very low prices. Fine pigs can be bought for
90 cents and other things in proportion. good horse
is worth $50. Little market schooners, manned by
Jamaica negroes, ply to Aspinwa with fruit and pro-
Visions making the round trip in week or ten days.
The institution of marriage did not exist the Island
until recently but the relations of the sexes though
formed on the freelove plan sacredy regarded.
missionary from Jamaica has taken his residence there
lately, and introduced marriage among them. Persons
acquainted with their character however, say they will
backside into their old habits as soon the missionary
dies or goes away The Baltimore Pilot who has lived
long on the Island enertans this opionon The interior
of the Island is never visited and little known concern
ing it, as there no roads except those leading from
settlement to another around the the shores Fort
built by the Buccaneers on high bluff on the south
west point of the Isand is still in good preservaton-
The old guns, which tradition says loaded with
silver dollars and used against their enemies when other
ammunition failed them, still lie dismounted about the
fort grave OF one of their Generals is still pointed
out under the cocoanut trees. The climate is beautiful
and there is much less rain than upon the neghborng
continent Some remarkable natural objects attractno
tice approaching the Island One is high round hill
which has been rent asunder from the top and presents
deep sSure nearly to the base. 1t is called split
hill and forms land mark for navigators by which to
enter the harbor. Another is called Morgans Head"
in honor to the great captain of the busters 1t is
high, bald rock, standing upon the promontory you
round to enter the harbor and has striking resen-
blance to the human head and features, with thick
growth of grass upon its top, which strongly suggests
uxurant head of hair Tradition mentions the existence
of fine lake of fresh water upon high hill somewhere
in the interior, which the officers of French vessel
once attempted to find, but could not place called
Fresh Water Bay is resorted to by vessels from the
vicinity, for filing their water-casks.
The position of this island is nearly in latitude Is
deg. 25 mln north, longitude 81 deg 80 min west 1t
belongs to Nicaragua but that government has been
busy with its local affairs to extend any protection over
it. The only act of jurisdiction attempted was when,
some years SINCE they sent an agent there to collect
taxes. He made poor headway, however, and the ex-
pertinent has not been repeated What little govern
ment there is to be of most primitive kind-the
governed being with the governors together sort of
happy family. Captain Eagle considers it very import
ant for the safety of commerce. that lighthouse should
be placed upon it, lies directly in the track ofstean-
ers and vessels bound to and from Aspinwall The
reef and got off with much difficulty Several other
vessels have lately been wrecked here, among them
French bark loaded with COAL whose Captain and crew
were taken off by the Wabash.