The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1891-06-22
FROM THE MARSHALL
ISLANDS.

By the Missionary packet Morning
Star, We learn that tie Q. S. Consul
General II. w. Severance is in receipt of
letters from Captain Henry F. Worth, of
the schooner Robert w. Logan, and Mr..
Alfred Smelling, missionary at Ruk, in
which acknowledgment is gratefully
made of the receipt of money and gifts,
sent by the U. S. Government to the
natives chiefs at Enderby and Ollap
Islands, and to Mr.. Smelling and Captain
Worth, by the Robert w. Logan, in re-
cognition of their humane services ex-
tended to the wrecked officers and crew
of the American ship Tewksbury l..
Sweat, lost on Susannah Reef April 9,
1889. We have been permitted TO make
a few extracts from Captain Wortb's
letter. He says:
eve LETT Honolulu October so, 1890,
with fine weather, which lasted US till
we arrived at the Marshall Islands, when
we rode out heavy gale at Jaiuit.
From there we had fine run of eight
days to Kusaie, when the missionary
brethren were very glad to see US. The
mission at Ponape having been broken
UP by the Spanish authorities. and the
members carried to Kusaie by the U. s.
ship Alliance. There were rumurs. that
no vessel would be allowed to visit Ruk,
but l sailed boldly INTO Ponape and
called on the Spanish Governor, who
was very polite, asking me great many
questions regarding the object of my
visit, etc but finally telling me to go.
On board of Spanish hulk at Ponape
were nine natives OF Polonat, who had
drifted some 500 miles east in voyage
toward Ruk. These natives knew me at
once, and I obtained permission from
the Spanish Governor to take them on
my schooner, to return them to their
homes. | left them at Ruk, and after
visiting the Mortlocks on my return,
took the men, and the boxes of presents
sent by you for the chiefs and people,
and went to Polonat The people, when
they saw their lost friends which had
brought back safely, took me with boat
and all up on the beach, with demon
STATIONS of delight, and when | read
your letter on behalf of the U. S. Govern
ment presenting the box OF gifts, that
made the climax. They were profuse in
their promises to welcome all ship
wrecked men, etc. They We're very
thankful, and gave me some cocoanuts
and coils of rope for the King of
America
Is After leaving Polonat went to Oh
lap, and called on the chiefs who picked
me up boat and all and would have car
ried me into large house, but stopped
them.
s'They were very grateful for the box
of presents, and promised tn DO great
things in return. / spoke to them of the
liberaIity and generosity Displayed by the
United States Government towards them
in sending practical and useful gifts as
some return for their services to the
wrecked seamen of the I. L.. Sweat, as
you had advised me 10 do. IL will be d
great help TO our missionary work in
future among this people to show that
we care for them. Tie trading vessels
here would not do anything for the ma
tives without great pay.
"This missionary work here is slowly
progressing, but is hinder,d by traders
who sell arms and ammunition and op'
pose our labors.
With my best wishes, ETC.,
&c HENRY F. WORTH"
Mr.. Alfred Smelling, the missionary al
Ruk, Caroline Islands, also writes under
date OF February 26, 1891:
was completely surprised 10 re
ceive the sum you sent me in behalf o
the United States Government for assist
ing the wrecked seamen OF the L. l.
Sweat. L did not expect reward TO-
any such service for the cruise OF oil
did not fail nor the barrel OF -four waste.
But thank you for your interest, as
can use the money in my missionary
work, and it seems almost providentia
to US.
1T is good to be part OF such a Gov
eminent as the United States of America
The goods sent for people will doubles
contribute much to the safety and GOO
treatment of future wrecked crews il
these islands. Faithfully yours,
ALFRED SMELLING"