Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-04-26
Cruize on the Western Coast of Africa.

ISLAND OF FERNANDO Po.-Ihe scene here
presented is very beautiful. Ships Of differ
ent nations lie anchored in the little harbor;
and prominent among them, are two Span
ish and one French war vessel, and all deco
rated with their national colors.
The banks beyond are covered with rich,
bushy vines and grasses, that give to them
soft mossy-like and velvety appearance, that
is beautiful. On the banks midway between
the two long arms Of land encircling the bay,
full hundred feet above the level of the
sea, stands the little village, or town, Of Cla-
renee. Only few houses are visible. These,
neat aud airy in their appearance, are sur
rounded with piazzas, and are sufficiently
far apart to admit Of large, enclosing gar
dens, with white pailings. Over two of them
waves the Spanish flag, while the English
ensign flying over third, desIgnates it as
the British Consulate.
On the left of the town, near the extreme
end of the mole, we discover handsome white
monument, rising from the midst Of green
shrubbery, and guarded by solitary gun.
On the right, are two very small Islands !;
and looking behind these, we get glimpse
of placid little cove, overlooked by high,
| buShy banks, upon which the immense Cot
ton tree, or African oak, with its grey trunk
and bushy top, stands conspicuous. Leading
| from the water, is graded road cut on the
right side Of the bank, afording gradual
and easy access to the level ground above,
where is seen the guard going their regular
round and strollers enjoying their evening
promenade
The broad green slope Of the mountain,
rising 10, 100 feet high, beyond this, is yarie-
gated here and there, with trees Of i reddish
hue, while grey, curling smoke, issuing at
intervals from among the trees, is the only
| indication we have Of the habtation Of the
Islander High up, on the mountain side,
lying rs it were. on a bed 81 green down,
rests the misty morning cloud, while Peak
Clarence rears its lofty head, far up beyond.
The long sea swell, as il rolls in upon the
| bold front OF the mole on our left, breaks
with violence, sending the white foaming
spray far mp on the rocks, while the waters
Of the little harbor exhibit Il smooth, CLASSY
surface, that is alone disturbed by the quick
motions oi the tiny sprAt multitudes 81
which are playing around the sides IT the
ship.
Turning from the Island, and looking in
north-easterIy direction, We trace tie dim
| IL visible outline Of the CAMERON noun
taius, far il the distance.
The history Of this Island is little singu-
| lar. Toward the close Of the fifteenth cen
fury, Portuguese nobleman, in the service
Of Alphonso, while cruizing III these waters
| in search of new possessions for his King,
was suddenly rewarded by discovering a higu
mountain Island, that, on near approach,
proved 50 richly luZuriant and beautiful, as
to cause him to e&calm Him fornosa !" Ur
Beautiful Isle. This epithet seemed 50 att
proprate as Il name, that It's discUlcror, uu
taking possession, gave It to the Island, aud
il remained known BIZ i for three hundred
years Near the close of the eighteenth cen
tury. Portugal ccdcl the Island - Spain n
exchange for that oil Trinidad, on the coast
Of Venezuela. On taking possession Oi 1t,
the Spaniards gave to their little settlement
tile sweet name Of Santa Isabel and also,
in compliment 10 the late owners ot the Is
land changed its name, and gave it that Of
its enterprising discoyercr, Fernao ~ to ;
| but this name having been previously APP
piled to other places on the coast, was again
changed to Fernando 20, to prevent coniu-
sion. The Spanards, after holding the -
land for 4 short time, and finding Il unpro-
titable, and also, on account Ut its far reno
val from Spain, and its isolation from her
other possessions. determined on abandon
ing its future occupancy, though il was still
| held as i dependency Of the Spanish Crown.
After this, for Fifty years, remained III the
undisturbed possession If the natives. These
natives, Of whose peculiar manners and Gus
toms wo know but little. are called Boo
bies" term signifying, in their language,
Stranger" and applied BY Europeans to
| them on their first intercourse. This term,
used in their friendly greetings " Cow way
boobie"-"lIow do you 90 stranger, "-ap-
pears to have suggested the name. and il
was given to them, and they still continue to
be known BY it. The number II these Boo
bies Is yaruu-ly estimated 1T from l2,O0O 81
10000. They are divided into separate
tribes, over each Of which there Is 4 kokler
akoo, or Chief, who governs with absolute
sway.
ia 1897, the English government desiring
to establish i coal depot mere, tor the accom-
mediation Of her war steamers, solicited. and
obtained permission from the King of Spain
to do 50. They erected the necessary build
ings, and gave the place the name ~ Cla-
renee, and now, it continues to pc known by
both its English and Spanish names.
In 1919, the Spanish government, finding
the place acquiring some degree oi impor-
lance, in consequence Of its occupancy by
the more enscrprisipg English resumed
possession.
4 very interesting feature Of this place,
is the white monument On the mole to the
left. 1t is in memory Of the officers and
men who perishcd in the British Exploring
Expedition, up the river Niger, in the years
1871 and H. and was erected by their sur
yiving shipmascs and relations. With re-
gard to the expedition, it proved an entire
failure. 1t cost the English government
E80,O00, or about 100000 without in the
least compromising il for this immense out
lay Still, this was small matter compared
with the lives lost in the undertaking, and
this monument while it commentaries the
mournful death Of these men, may also be
said to bear testimony t. the sacrifice If
human life, at the shrine u commercial en-
terprise.
Admitting the propriety Of these under
takings, where there is probability 81 sue
cess, | am disposed 70 think that men often
engage in them recklessly. where there i
scarcely any such probability, actuated by
spirit Of false enterprise or perhaps vani-
ty; and where such is the case, and death
ensues, however much may deplore that