The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-08-20
vi.s. of the Jane-town 10 Ponnpe.

PoNAPE, July l, 1870.
Mr. EDrroR-DEAR SIR The arrival of the
United States ship of war jamestown at this island is
more than an ordinary event. Not that war vessels
have not been here they have, though few and far
between. Long since the islanders knew what a
man-of-war was. Lutke, the re-discoverer of the isl
and. with his war vessel, the Russian and Austrian
vessels of the same character, and the rebel Shenan-
doah, had shown to this people the ships that go
around on the sea. 1 believe, however, the jamestown
is the first from the American Government. She
certainly is the first that has put herself IN contact
with the islanders, to treat with them, and to right
the wrongs of foreigners both among themselves and
natives. AS such q vessel, the jamestown may well
be said to be the first, of her class, to visit Ponape.
And her peaceful and successful visit is to be marked
by the harbor, in which she has been anchored,
taking her name.
1 need not say, as an American, that I hail her
advent with no little delight. To see and commune
cate with her commander, officers, and crew, all
numbering some 200 men-to see her heavy guns,
and hear their heavy booming echoing and reverber-
ating among the hills, as if the god of thunder of the
island, .Nanjap0a, was uttering his harsh voice to
see the stars and stripes waving from her peak
made me feel / was again an American, and within
the periphery of the civilized world.
The coming of a war vessel had been made known
to the islanders through one of your papers of De-
cember, 1869, and so was expected. Yet. when she
appeared in sight, no one suspected her character till
aboard, and she was in the harbor. The cry of sail
no sail no went ringing through the woods calling
me and my company from work, and friends were
blowing the sea-shell horn for the same purpose. We
launched our canoe, and pushed out into the harbor,
specializing on the character of the vessel, when she
comes broad-side on, and 10, a man-of-war The
expressions of surprise and fear expressed in half
suppressed whispers. the question what she would do
to those who might go to her, was more than an Or
binary picture. But we soon approached her and
found her g gentle as a lamb, - and her commander
greeting US with the warmth of Christian love.
Behold 1 make all things new > was the voice of
the apocalyptic angel to the apostle. And ever since
has that &c new creation % been forming and stratify-
ing, now through wars, now through peace, now
through arts and science and schools, now through
the missionary enterprise. That new work has been
working out upon this island for the last eighteen
years, in various ways and by somewhat various
means, yet I am happy to say not least among the
stratas that have been laid is that which the James
toUn has done. Her visit has been so peaceful and
SO humane, SO true to the highest interests of law and
order, I feel her visit will advance much the work
for the moral good of the islanders. Commissioned
to execute the law, if necessary by severe means, yet
she has not done what might be called a harsh act.
We hail her visit therefore with more than ordinary
joy-than if bloodshed and loss of life and destruction
of property had marked some of her intercourse.
The story of all the Jamestown did here might be
too long and tedious, but perhaps o rapid sketch may
with ~propriety be recorded. On reaching the island,
Capt. Truxtun at once stated the object of his visit,
or one part of it.. He wished to call q meeting of all
the kings and leading chiefs of Ponape to communi-
cate to them the message of the President of the
United States. A general meeting of all these
scrowned heads % at one place would be impossible
jealousies are too strong among them. But the sew
eral kings can be visited in their petty realms. Ac-
cordIngly he. called for a meeting of the king and
chiefs of the tribe in whose harbor he had anchored.
A paper had been prepared-which stated the object
of his mission to them, and all were desired to agree
to it and sign it. The main points were .AH t1recked
seamen were to be humanely treated all traders,
unless necessary, were not to be molested OF inter-
fered with all Christian teachers, and all natiUes
becoming Christians, were to be allowed freedom of
action and thought all lands sold 10 foreigners
were to be conveyed to the party purchasing by a
avritten deed, and he who should entice from his ship,
or should harbor a sailor deserving, shall pay a fine
of $50. This paper was explained, and it was ap-
proyingly and unanimously signed.
The day following the steam launch of the James
torn was set afoat, and a company of some thirty
men and two boats were detailed for an expedition
around the island. And this steam launch, so in
stinctive with life, yet moving without sail or paddle,
was q wonder of wonders to the natives.
She reached, as the first point in the expedition
a king some half dozen miles distant from the james
focn. He had been notified of the coming of the
Captain, and had gathered most of his principal
chiefs. He is invited aboard, the paper read and
explained he approves it, signs it and retires pleased.
Steam is let ON and off the "fre-ship'' moves,
passing on to the king of an adjoining tribe. He
too had been notified of the visit and had gathered
his whole tribe at an appointed place. But he is a
naughty fellow, prepares an armed chair for himself.
and dons a military coat and semi-white shirt, with
his neither extremities nude, black and shining with
oil. Captain Truxtun enters the feast house. No
seat had been prepared for him, except the floor at
the feet of this monarch of a realm too microscopic
to bound. The Captain can hardly lower President
Grant to this level, and SO stands erect. All things
adjusted, the paper is read, explained and signed,
approvingly and willingly. A short turn in the
launch with His Majesty, the firing of the bow gun,
and their interview terminates.
The day following, another King is met, but he
comes tardily to meet his visitor. He had heard
fearful stories of the war-yessel-and the "fre-
Ship and so at first he excuses himself-as detained
by old age and infrmity. But his fears being
allayed-he appears. and hearing the paper read and
explained, says " all is good,' and puts his mark to
the treaty. The next visit is to the next high chief
of this same tribe, a man bearing no enviable repu-
tation for law or order. For him had been reserved
a r~eprimand.., 1t is plainly given. He had fired and
and cost. And a bell of some eight hundred pounds
had been destroyed by this ruthless act of his. He
is fined for the loss of this. and agrees to help erect
another building. He promptly meets the demands.
He freely acknowledged his wrong, and at once made
The articles which other chiefs had
signed were explained to him, and he agrees to all.
He reconveys, By deed this time, a piece of land
given for Christian uses by a former high chief, his
predecessor, but which land he had suffered other
parties to possess and occupy.
And here ends the meeting with the kings and high
chiefs of Ponape, by Captain Truxtun. From first
to last the whole was a complete success, not q mis-
hap, not an improper word, not a suspicious act was
seen or heard. Cheerfully and approvingly were all
names affixed to the treaty. So soon as the Captain
made known, his statements, and they were under
all said { good "right,'' we like that
Such has been the visit so successful the coming of
the jamestown. 1t was one at peace and good will,
not of blood and destruction of property. The