The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27

INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE.
Descriptions of the Country, &c.

1t IS known to some OF our readers that
Col. WILLIAM H. MOBILES, and GEORGE 81.
CAKES, Esq, of this city, have gone to
Venezuela for the purpose Of engaging
in commercial enterprise. The journal
kept by Mr. CAKES, containing incidents
of the voyage out, descriptions OF the
country and the people, has been kindly
placed in our hands, and we make such
extracts from it as will interest our read
ers. 1t is proper to say, however, that it
was not written with view to publica-
ton, but for the perusal of the authors
personal friends:]
PHILADELPHIA TO VENEZUELA.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 10, 1S63.-Colonel
Mobiles and myself start to-day for Cara
cas-, Venezuela. The "White Wing +" has
twelve passengers, among whom are three
ladies and two children. Our letters of
introduction to Mr.. Syers, the English
consul, from Mr.. Camacheo, the Venezue-
lian Minister in New York, secured us
hearty reception and warm friend. In
fact all the passengers appear to be per-
fectly satisfied with each other and the
world in general.
1t is useless to recount the old tale of
sea-sickness, and of storms and calms.
The only passengers not suffering from
sea-sickness being Mrs. Cummings and
myself, about whom the Captain conf
planned pretty severely, on account of our
not missing meal. One of our fellow
passengers, Mr.. W. E. Willet, who came
on board sick, is getting much worse, and
fears are entertained for his safe arrival.
January 15-Hardly day has passed
since we left, that some craft or another
has not hove in sight, and now q French
man-of war is seen off to leeward bearing
north by west. The sea is quite bolster
Gus and we roll considerably. About s
O'Clock at night Capt Wilson and myself
were startled from our game of old sledge
by seeing Mr.. Willett, our sick fellow pas
senger, rush from his state-room in his
night dress, out of the cabin to the railing
Of the ship, with the intention of jumping
overheard, but fortunately, his strength
giving way, we secured him and brought
him again into the cabin, where he remain
ed in delirious state for three hours.
January 17.-Mr. Willett is dead
while here l will give you particulars
from an article l wrote, and which was
was translated into Spanish, and appeared
in the Independence, paper published in
Caracas, copy of which l send you'll
EXTRACT from the Journal of G. II. Cakes.
''This morning we were called upon to per-
form the mournful but sacred duty of commit
ting to the sea the remains of our fellow
passenger, Mr.. William s. Wilctt, who
died last evening. Willie i'm New York where
he had resided for the last year for the benefit
Ofhis health, he was advised by his physicians
to leave the North as soon as possible, us hay
ing resided in Venezuela for thirty years, his
prolonged stay would be greatly prejudicial to
his health. From the day of embarkation to the
day of his,death, his suffering was intense day in
many instances he was deliriOus. On one Occa-
sion, while in this state, we were startled about
o'clock in the evening, by seeing him rush
from his state room out of the cabin to the side
of the ship, but here his strength fortunately
falling, he was again brought into the cabin
and was laid upon lounge off from which he
never arose alive On several occasions he re-
marked that he would never reach his destina-
ton, and talked with much feeling and attcc-
ton for his children. a few hours before his
death, he requested Mr.. Syers, the English Con-
sui, who is a fellow passenger and with whom
he had had long acquaintance, if possible to
,l- Ii. 1,,fl IN, Ar Sx-op
upon consulting Captain Wilson found to be
impossible. During the evening hemorhage
commenced, and at SO O'Clock, during Il severe
lit of coughing, he remarked, Friends do not
deceive yourselves, l feel this is DEATH" and
expired. During his illness, he was kindly and
attentively nursed by Masonic and other friends,
and especially, the Misses Cummings, who
were untiring in their efforts to conduce to his
comfort and relief The burial ceremony was
impressively performed by Col. William H.
Mobiles of Minnesota. United States. The pas
scngers eleven i'm number clustering around,
and while responding with HEARTFELT sincerity,
Christ have mercy upon us the remains
were lowered into the SEA- During the entire
day gloom pervaded the ship. Whose turn
it NAV next he, God only knows, but may He
in his infinite goodness and mercy continue to
vOuchsafe To us his protection
.Jaaumy 19.-Col. Mobiles hauled in a
beautiful dolphin weighing between twenty
five and thirty pounds. The popularity of
this fish is the frequency with which it
changes color after being taken out of the
water-fequently six or eight times, and
each color of the brightest hue. A flying
fish about the size of a mackerel, being
tired of its watery element, took a notion
to indulge in short sail with us, but on
flying on board, was captured by the Stew
ard and taken to the culinary department.,
where it was daintily cooked for the ex-
press benefit of little Miss Mary Cummings.
january 23.-We have had strong
Southwest wind which is driving US along
the West India Islands, and we are now
headed for the coast of Africa, where we
will undoubtedly arrive during the year,
unless the wind changes and allows us to
make the passage into the Caribbean Sea.
All on board were astir byhearing 1" fish,
fish" shouted by Mr.. Cummings, who was
making desperate efforts to haul in the
aforesaid fish, and finally, by the united
efforts of several OF the passengers, sue
ceeded in bringing him in to harpooning