The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-03-10


I. the February number Of the California Mag
~i.e. Ne 6nd : very correct likeness d this young
man. Who has been connected with the U. s. SurveS-
ipe schooner Fennimore Coopey, and who during ms
STAY here or several months. has become acquainted.
With many Of our residents. His affabls manners
and general pleasing department, combined With =
perfect acquisition Of the English Language. have
gained for him the esteem Of all with whom he has
become acquainted during his stay. It is somewhat
surprising that his knowledge Of our language should
be 50 perfect, and goes to prove that the Japan-
ese will more readily acquire its use than other Asia
tic natives do. Mr.. Heco has left the Fsnimore
Coopsr, and taken passage on board the Sea Serpent
for Hongkcng, and will return to japan, in company
with Mr.. Van Reed, with whom he has long
been intimately acquainted. The reason of MIR.
Heco's leaving the schooner, is that he is very
anxious to get back to Japan, and the
tons on board are so limited as to make 1t disagree
able when he is sick. as he is very apt to be, at sea.
He leaves the vessel with the full consent Of Capt.
Brooke and his officers, who have become much at
tached to him, but wish to crafty him in his desire
to return more speedily than he could by remaining
with the schooner, which may be several months
cruising between this port and Hongkong.
We will add that Joseph Heco has promised to
write us for publication a full account of his return
to his native country. and his meeting his parents,
which will be matters of deep interest to those who
have had the pleasure of making his acquaintance.
"Joseph Heco was born in the city of Hadima, Japan, about
the year 1888. Having finished his education ut Jeddo, n Was
sent by his father, in a junk belonging to his uncle. TO the city OF
Miaco-a distance OF about $50 miles-for the purpose OF enter
ing into Commerce.
"Soon after the junk got to sea. q great storm arose, and the
vessel was dismastel and RI ndered unmanageable, and then 1t
drihed away, at the mercy Of the winds and waves, tn Assistance
OF 600 miles from Japan. where the crew and passengers, seven
teen In number, were picked up by the bark auckland, having
been at the mercy of the elements for hty days, during which
time they suffered great privation. The bark arrived here in
March, 1851. On the 22i of the same month, the Japanese
were transferred to the T. S. Revenue Cutter Polk, Capt Web
ster. on foaraI of which they were detained eleven months, when
the L. S. sioop-cf war 81. Marys was ordered by the Govern
ment to take them to Hong Kong. The japanese captain, ues-
pairing Of ever getting home. and feeling great soliciulde Tor the
lives of those under his care, died OF a broken heart He was
buried at Honolulu, :. l., Mt which place The 81 narys stopped
for that purpose. Upon arriving at Hong Kong, tho japanese
were placed on board the straightforward, to wait for Comrno-
dore Perry. who was To take them to Japan Becoming impa-
tieat, Joseph, accompanied by Thoro (who is now employed in
Wells. Fargo * Co.'s office, San FrinciscoD and another, believed
IL prudent to return to California, where they arrived IN OCTOBER
1882. Capt. Pease. then commander OF 1.-THE Argus CHOW OF the
Marcy, an excellent and accomplished officer, received him on
board his vessel. and did all in his power to render them COM
Portable. Capt. fease, observing Heco's aItness IN acquiring
knowledge, and his ahability, became Interested In hin L such