The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-06-23
FROM THE MARSHALL
ISLANDS.

BY the Missionary packet Morning
Star, we learn that TIE T. S. Consul
General H. W. Severance is in receipt o
letters from Captain Henry F. Worth, o
the schooner Robert w. Logan, and Mr.
Alfred Smelling, missionary at Ruk, il
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 Tewksbmy L.
Sweat, lost on Susannah Reef April 8,
1889. We have been permitted to make
few extracts from Captain Worth s
letter. He says:
"We 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 Jaluit.
From there we had fine run of eight
days to Kusaie, when the missionary
brethren we're 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 rumors that
no vessel would be allowed to visit Ruk,
but | sailed boldly into Ponape and
called on the Spanish Governor, who
was very polite, asking me great many
questions regarding the object Oh nv
visit, etc., but finally telling me to 90.
On board of a 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 | 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, l
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 l read
your letter on behalf OF the L. S. Govern
ment presenting the box OF gifts, that
made the climax. They We're profuse in |
their promises to welcome all ship |
wrecked men, etc. They were very
thankful, and gave me some cocoanuts
and coils OF rope for the King of |
America
= After leaving Polonat l went TO o. |
lap. and called on the chiefs who picked
me up boat and all and would have car
ried me into large house, but l stopped
them.
They were very grateful for the box
OF presents, and promised tn do great
things in return. | spoke to them of the
liberality and generosity displayed by the
United States Government towards them
in sending practical and useful gifts as
some return Tor their services to the
seamen of the T. L. Sweat, as
you had advised me to do 1t will be
great help to our missionary work in
future among this people to show that
we care for them. The trading vessels
here would not do anything for the ma
ives without great pay.
This missionary work here is slowly
but is hindered by traders
Who sell arms and ammunition and OPP
,ose our labors.
With my best wishes, ETC..
20 HENRY F. WORTH"
Mr.. Alfred Smelling, the missionary at
2uk. Caroline Islands, also writes under I
late OF February 26, 1891:
Il was completely surprised to re-
GIVE the sum you sent me in behalf OF S
be United States Government for assist Z
ng the wrecked seamen of the T. L. ..
weat l did not expect reward for /
ny such service TOR the cruise OF oil S
id not fail nor the barrel of -four waste /
,ut thank you for your interest, as S
an use the money in my missionary s
Iork, and it seems almost providential 6
} us.
g 1t is good to be part OF such Gov =
as the United States OF America.
he goods sent for people will doubtless
ontribute much to the safety and good C
of future wrecked crews in (
lese islands. Faithfully yours, v
''ALFRED SMELLING" +