The Delta independent., 1890-10-28
A CHINESE COLUMBUS.
HE'LL. THE PiG-TAILED NAvI-
GATOR.
How the Celestial Sailor Crossed the Pacific In a
Chinese Junk Away Back IN 217 D. c.,
and Discovered Amcrica-Dr.
shaw's Story.

1t is learned from n long letter re-
for many years missionary in China,
that he visited the interior Chinese
city OF Si-Ngan-Foo, in the province
OF Shen-Scc. on the Upper Hoang-Ho.
Here the doctor, with the aid OF q
converted native from the mission sta
ton near Ta-Koo. discovered Chi
nese manuscript dating back over 200
years before Christ. In this manu-
script it is proved beyond doubt that
America was discovered by one Hee-
Ii, 4 Chinese navigator, in the year
2l7 b. c., in the reign OF tho great
Wang. who has been called the Chi
nese Napoleon, and who first consoli-
dated the petty kingdoms of the pres
ent empire, and built the Great wall.
# this date is correct. as it almost
| certainly is, it follows that We have
just passed a convenient anniversary OF
the great event (the two thousand one
hundredth), which fell in 1888; there
loro we must look to all true lovers of
accuracy TO advocate the postponiug
OF the fair to the year 1858, the two
thousand two hundredth anniversary
tinent
DR.. Shaw sends few interesting
facts. gathered from this priceless
manuscript. Hee-Li was the owner
and commander of II small junk en-
ployed in the coast trade. While
making trip, probably in February.
2l7 B.. c., great storm struck his
vessel and drove it far out to sea.
When the storm abated he OF course
desired to steer west, and again reach
| the coast OF China. AS is well known
the mariners compass was in use by
! Chinese sailors even at this early
day. Now. Hee-LTs junk was in
tested by yang-si bugs. an insect
closely resembling our cockroach, and
one OF them had got into the compass
during the storm, and become wedged
under the needle, where it died. first,
however. struggling around the face OF
the compass and carrying the needle
with it till it Ohe needlc) pointed
directly south. instead Of due north. rs
it should have done. The intelligent
insect. as we have intimated. then
died, still under the needle, wherc his
body could not he seen. Cons ultiug
his compass and depending on it abso-
lutely, Hee-Li, OF course, sailed direct
~ east. This he continued to do for
three months and some days, mar
yelling greatly that tho coast OF China
should SO constantly recede. Once, on
the twenty-iifth day. Hi-Thine, one of
the crow (may his memory perishD
suggested that they must be sailing
east. rs the sun constantly rose before
them, and set behind them. but Hee-
Ii promptly threw him overheard, say
Ing that his fathers had trusted the
compass since the Chow Chop Suey
dynasty, and it was then too late to
doubt it On what appears to have
been June 10 Hee-Li landed between
the Seth and 37th degrees of north lati-
tudc, probably near the present city OF
Monterey, Cal. Two days later one
OF the crew. while polishing up the
compass, discovered and removed the
dead yang-si bug. and matters became
clearer to Hee-Li.
Hee-Li and his crew OF ten men re-
maincd in America about three months
exploring the coast for fifty miles to
the south and 100 to the north. He
speaks (part of the manuscript is his
personal nnrrative) in high terms OF
the weather. thus being the first to
cxtol the glorious climate of Califor-
MIA. He entered the Golden Gate and
explored the bay of San Francisco,
giving it the name of Hong-Tsi, Or
Great Bay. He bartered with the
natives. and finally started on his re-
turn to China in September. arriving
there in the latter part OF the year.
From fragments OF another manuscript
by DR.. Shaw. bearing the date 100
years later. 1t appears that this trade
thus begun with the American natives
had been kept up till that time, junks
visiting the country every few months.
Why this trade ever ceased DR. Shaw
l
1877 b. G.. twenty years after his great
discovery.
Coming at such n time rs this il
would not seem that too great import
ance can not be attached to tho dis.
covcry DR.. Shaw. The great question
which has troubled historians for years
is settled at last. Clearly it would be
the height of folly to celebrate the an
niversury Of the simple voyage and
landing OF either Columbus or the
Norscman. Wo must celebrate the
anniversary Of the true discovery
that OF Uec-ki. None Will agree with
US on the point so readily as those
who have favored the Morse discovery.
Absolute accuracy in all things is wha,
should always be aimed at. Let tho
Worlds fair be put off till 1888, and
then let US all join hands and make'i,