occupation of time-even that of reading with comfort. Yesterday was our sabbath. The only difference in the mode of performing religious service here and on board the Guerriere, is in the signal used in assembling the crew. Instead of the boatswain's pipe, followed by the hoarse call around the decks, "All hands to prayers, ahoy!"—as the bell strikes the time-the "Portuguese Hymn," from the band, breathes to every heart in sweet and solemnizing strains the welcome invitation,

"O come and let us worship,"

while from all parts of the ship we silently obey its impressive call. My desk, is the capstan, spread with the American ensign: beside which, I stand mounted on a shot box-to secure the elevation of a foot or two above my audience.

At the close of the sermon, yesterday, Mr. Stribling, the first lieutenant, took my station, and read to the ship's company the following general order:

"As it is possible that we may be in port at the Washington or Northern Marquesas Islands before the next sabbath, I consider the present a proper occasion to say to the crew, that the natives of Nukuhiva-the island at which we shall anchor-have been so variously described by different persons who have at long intervals been amongst them, and their treatment of strangers represented as so fickle and uncertain, that I feel it a difficult task to determine in what light safely to regard them: and I therefore design to be cautious in the intercourse which I may permit to exist between them and us, that we may ourselves judge the more justly of them.

OF CAPTAIN FINCH.

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"The object of our visit is of a diversified nature, but is directed especially with the view to secure harmonious intercourse between them and those of our defenceless seafaring countrymen whose pursuits are lawful, and whose necessities compel them to resort to harbor for refreshment and supplies; to reclaim those who from thoughtlessness or improper motives may have remained amongst them; to exhibit our own moral advancement-to elevate our national character in their estimation-and, by the contrast thus presented, to induce a praiseworthy imitation on their part.

"To effect these desirable results, it is incumbent on us to be circumspect in every part of our conduct; to impose, if necessary, unusual restraints upon ourselves; to display without arrogance the superior advantages of our condition; to deal with frankness and honesty; to check in ourselves undue curiosity; to abstain from sensual indulgences and gross familiarities; and to treat them as a sovereign people.

"These remarks are preliminary to, and I hope will explain the propriety of, my interdicting all officers and other persons going from the ship without appropriate uniform and suitable protection of arms, &c., and the further inhibiting natives, men or women, from coming on board, unless under peculiar or such other circumstances as have heretofore been the usage of the ship in other ports.

"If, after such interviews as may ensue between the chiefs and myself, I can be satisfied that we may safely trust ourselves on shore, then it will be a pleasure to grant such liberty to the crew to visit the

island as may be consistent with the stay of the ship and indispensable duty on board-expecting, as I shall, punctuality of return, correctness of deportment, and a disposition to aid the intentions already expressed. “W. C. B. FINCH.

"July 19th, 1829."

From this official document-contrasting so strongly as it does with addresses that are known to have been made by commanders of vessels to their crews in approaching the South Sea Islands-you will perceive, my dear H, that the Vincennes is a "tabu ship"--a characteristic of no little importance and of no small value among the islands of the Pacific.

To one ignorant of the gross licentiousness to which too many of the ships from Christian lands are here voluntarily surrendered by their commanders, the propriety of such an inhibition might seem singular; but to you, who from your own observation know too well how readily men, in this dark part of our world, not only abandon the principles and the practices of sound morality, but boldly cast off the most salutary restraints of decency and civilization, there is no need of saying that every counteracting and reproving example is most desirable and most praiseworthy.

While visiting Captain Finch in his cabin last evening, he apprised me of his intention, and submitted the order to my inspection. His views and feelings, in reference to the whole voyage, and of the importance of an exemplary deportment from all attached to the ship, are most decided; and he ap

pears determined to make the cruize of the Vincennes among the islands, as far as in his power, productive, in every respect, of the highest possible good to the different governments and people we may visit.

WE are once more at anchor. Yesterday at twelve o'clock, just after worship, Huahuka, the most eastern island of the Washington group was descried on our lee bow, thirty miles distant. We at once bore down for it, and weathering the southeast point, coasted for a distance of fifteen miles closely along its southern shore. On this side, it seemed lofty, precipitous, and barren-too much so we judged to be inhabited: its greatest height was estimated at fifteen hundred or two thousand feet.

Like most other high, tropical islands that I have seen, it is deeply furrowed with narrow glens, separated from each other by sharp spurs of mountain, running from the highland in the centre to the shore. Here and there a small plain or table land, and occasionally a short sand beach appears, but no alluvial interval, and generally a bold coast, with breakers dashing high against its dark cliffs. No woodland was to be seen except on the loftiest peaks of the inVOL. I.

19

terior: but all the high ridges and valleys, and the whole surface of the country, is beautifully verdant from a heavy growth of tufted grass.

As we sailed west, the wildness of the formation rapidly increased, and we soon made the southwest point. Near this are two small islets, evidently once a part of the main land: on passing closely round which, we opened the western side, and in a few moments ran up with one or two small coves, overhung by hills covered with wood and low bushes.

As yet, we had discovered no sign whatever of inhabitants. Every thing on shore seemed solitary as the desert. Disappointed in this respect, and the night rapidly approaching, we were about to bear away for Nukuhiva-already dimly descried far in the west from us-when a high bluff of rocks directly abreast of the ship became suddenly crowned with islanders, whose light skins and naked figures were perfectly distinguishable, while the shore rang with wild shouts, as they waved streamers of white cloth high on their spears, and tossed their mantles above their heads in the air. Having too much sail set readily to check the way of the ship, we soon shot past, while they-scampering along the heights and over a hill ahead-shouted and whistled with every variety of intonation of voice, and still wildly gesticulating with their hands and arms, and waving their tapas on high.

We reduced sail as rapidly as possible, and getting at the same time under the lee of the land, our speed was quickly lessened, to an almost insensible progress, and we were expecting the party soon to be up