The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-26
ON THE CONSTITUTION.
III STORY OF HER LAST VOYAGE
TOLD BIT n SURYIVoR.

SSfN ~-Ab tuA ~ Su "
sides to this city, where she nrst touched salt
water, and whore. in all probability, she win
lie TO the end. recalls to old inhabitants the last
time the Constitution sailed from Boston be-
foro sho was laid up In a Government navy yard.
It was In the June of 1StA that Old Ironsi'les
sailed out Of Boston Bay bound on o voyage
around the world, moro especially for the pur-
pose Of arranging for the purchase of the isl.
and Of Labuan, In the East Indies, which tho
Government desired for a conling station. This
purpose, however, was frustrated. for tho
British in come way gained an intimation Of
tho purpose Of the Constitutions voyage, and,
through the mediumship of Sir James Brooke,
afterward the Rajah Of Shrawak In Bornoo.
they bought the island before the arrival OF
the Constitution In the East.
OF the crew which then manned Old Iron
sides, as far a. known, but one man is now liv.
ing In Boston, and ho 10 BENJAMIN f.. Ste-
vens, President Of the New England Mutual
Life Insurance Company. Not only in insur-
ance circles 10 Mr.. Stevens we'll known, but his
reputation es q story teller has spread on both
sides Of tho Atlantic.
Mr.. stevens's rating on Old Ironsides on hor
last voyage around the world was as Captains
clerk. Mad Jack" Percival, who then COM
manded the Constitution, was a close per-
sonal friend Of his, and it was owing to IAN
offer from tho Captain that the lad-Mr. Sto-
VEINS was then but II years old-was enabled
to take the famous voyage. Tho voyage lasted
from June, lst4. to September. 1876. and 1t
was to this port that the Constitution returned
when her cruise was ended. or ali the Incl.
dents Of this trip there is none which created
more talk at the time. and which also bore out
the reputation of Old lronsides more strongly,
than that which happened while the Consti.
tuition was In Cochip.China waters. Here Is
the story as Mr.. Stevens tells It:
'On May 7. ls45, we had been away from
home about q year and had visited many ports
and places from South America to Africa and
in tho Indian Archipelago. Our next stay
was to be at Macao and Canton, but our com.
mander deemed It proper to visit on his way
the country Of Cochin China On the day re-
fcrred to we sighted Cape Touron, the outlying
point Of tho city Of Touron, which is the port
OF Hue, the capital OF the kingdom, situated
some miles In the interior. We were in sight
Of the harbor for three days. but 1t was not un-
til tho 10th that the gale abated and we came
10 anchor in Touron Bay.
The scenery was grand, much resembling
divides the city into two parts, and each divi.
sion contained forts well manned by soldiers.
An air OF enterprise, was given the bay by tho
large number OF little boats which continually
fitted about.
"On the following day an officer was sent to
tnt Guy " u hIOu lUc duluOTlllCh 10 tldlt
our object in visiting the port, together with
our desire to obtain fresh vegetables. This Oni-
Ger was the late Admiral James Alden. who
aftcrward figured 50 onspicuOusly in the
coast operations OF our navy during the rebel.
lion. He was received by n person apparently
OF some distinction and conducted from tho
beach though a h!e Of native soldiers TO a pal.
ace immediately fronting the water, but at
some distance from 1t. The apartments alo,-
ted TO him were the same as those occupied by
the officers OF the | nitcd States steamship Pea
cock, which had visited tho port some lime be.
fora I'm nT MIR O. - - FEEIn - act Ai "a = In
terpreter, but neither he nor the ,oCnln'Chi-
nesc could make themselves understood, but,
closely emo one another, communication
was at length established III that manner. Our
DARN replied: why do you want aIythingl
What did you come here fort Why don't yuu
70 to Macao Tor What you want %c;; 1i
business. as 'lr. Alden soon took the liberty OF
informing him.
The Interview ended upon the mnndarin's
telling our envoy that no might takc in water
and purchase n few chickens. A. we had been
thirty days getting over from Borneo, II spring
chicken was not to be despiscd after a contlnu-
Gus diet OF salt beef and pickles. After max.
drinking some tea the audience was closed.
The following day an exploring party found IN
excellent supply OF water. sweet and clear. with
which We filled our empty casks. We were
not annoyed. but We're rather lett to ourselves.
No boats hung around the ship for trade, aud
thc.couduCt Of the natives appeared suspicious
and not at all in harmony with the reports
made by the CAPTAIN Of ne Peacock. Comlno.
aHre Sph IN j p0Tn n, the s Sni IyTry wI IrS, our II, boats ts
our spring chickens or the other delicacles prom.
ised:
as caterer for the cabin. | started for the city
in one Of the quarter boats. Capt. percival.
bastard Chinese had hauled the ship in TIC
night before nearer 10 the city. 30 that II any
thing went wrong Old Ironsides could take a
hand in preserving order with her broadslde
1--WE at length reached tho market, which
after considerable haggling, purchased u suit
| cient number OF chickens and other delicaCiea
70 .loosn' the III u% foliow win s'n morning SH,uf boat was soon
approaching the ship, manned by twenty or
more, rowers., containing in the bows several
were received In the cabin, and every attention
was shown to them. They were also accom-.
Spanish. with which tongue Capt. PercivAl
was familiar. The visitors passed an hour
parent change In their positions. Finally they
look their loave, and the interpreter, who WINS
the last one, thrnft an open letter Int Capt.
said that II he were discovered his head would
DO cut of.
tho letter was translated from the French. in
whiah 1t had boon written, into English, and
was found nt.a, to onn be from n, Bishop Dominic L g;
he stated that he was in prison at the capital.
Hue, and. presuming that we were t'rcnchimen,
King OF AMMAN for his release. as well rs IN
ask for peace and quietude Tor his compatriots,
tho missionaries. The.ctter was dated May
10, the day we arrived of the harbor, and Il
postscript was attached, dated May IL, IN
these Words. 4 am condemned to death with,
out delay. Hasten, or all Is finished
Here was II Quandary. A subject of q foreign
nation was in the direst straits and in need OF
Immediate help. He was u Christian, and IN
tho cause OF humanity there was but ono thin
to do. There was no French man-of. war nearer
than Macao, 500 miles distant, and before hclI
could be brought the Bishop would have met
his fate. Tho suspicious actions Of the viz
itors might now be accounted for from the fact
that they thought We wero after the French
"The Constitution lay about two miles from
the shore. Our -four quarter boats were
manned, and tho ahip was warped still nearoI
the shore, and soon aftorward u PROCESSION oil
the ships boats might havo been seen slowly
proceeding up tho river under tho command OF
Mad Jack Percival himself. We landed at Tou
ron, the Captain and First Lieutenant In advance
then tho officers, followed by II strong guard U
marines and sailors, The column then took VI
the line OF march In good order to the pulac,
whore Mr.. Alden had had his interview, anG
our men were stationed several feet apart from
the house to tho boats, all armed with musketl
and pistols.
Guiding tho soldlery, who were armed with
some muskets OF an ancient French pattern.
imagine that the townspeOple thought we wer,
returning the call of the Governor. UpOr