Garden seeds of every description were also distributed among the present
settlers, and hopes were held out to them by the Commodore of a
future supply of implements of husbandry and a greater number of animals.
A suitable spot too was selected for the erection of offices, wharves, coal-
sheds, and other buildings necessary for a depot for steamers. A title was
obtained to a piece of land, which is admirably adapted to the desired
purpose. I t is situated on the northern side of the bay, near its head, with
a front on the water of 1,000 yards; and a good depth near the shore for the
length of 500 yards, it might, by the building of a pier extending out fifty
feet, be conveniently approached by the largest vessel afloat.
In a letter addressed to the Navy Department, Commodore Perry has
given at length his views of the conveniences of Peel Island for the establishment
of a depot for steamers. In this communication he says :
“ As my instructions direct me to seek out and establish ports of refuge
and refreshment for vessels traversing these distant seas, I have, from the
commencement of the cruise, kept constantly in view the port in which we
are now at anchor,* and the principal harbor of the Bonin Islands, as well
for general convenience of resort, as to furnish connecting links, or suitable
stopping places, for a line of mail steamers, which I trust may soon be
established between some one of our Pacific ports and China, an event so
much to be desired; and, if accomplished, one that will be distinguished,
even in the history of these remarkable times, as of the highest importance
to the commerce of the United States and of the world.
“ The mails from the United States and Europe, by the way of Egypt,
the Bed Sea, and Indian Ocean, arrive regularly at Hong Kong, almost to a
day, twice a week in each month. From Hong Kong to Shanghai, five days
may be allowed for the passage. To this point the British government
would doubtless extend its mail if it were taken up by us and continued on
to California.
“ Its transportation, by steam, from Shanghai to San Francisco, via the
Bonin and Sandwich Islands, would occupy thirty days, allowing three days
for stopping for coal, etc. Thus, the distance from San Francisco to
Honolulu, in the Sandwich Islands, is roughly estimated at 2,093 miles;
from Honolulu to Peel Island, 3,301 miles; and from Peel Island to the
mouth of the Yang-tzse-Keang, or Shanghai river, 1,081 miles; in all, 6,475
miles; and allowing 240 miles per day, the time at sea would he twenty-
seven, and the time in port three days; from San Francisco to New York
twenty-two days would be required, making from Shanghai to New York
fifty-two days.
“ The usual time occupied in transporting the mail from England to
Hong Kong, via Marseilles, (the shortest route,) is from forty-five to forty-
* The Commodore is writing from Napha, in Lew Chew.
eight days; add to that two days’ detention at Hong Kong, and five more to
Shanghai, would make the time required to reach the latter place from fifty-
two to fifty-five days.
“ Shanghai might be considered the terminus of the English and the
commencement of the American mail; and thus an original letter could be
sent west by way of Europe, and its duplicate east by way of California,
the first arriving at Liverpool about the time its duplicate reaches New
York.
“ But apart from the advantages, and, I may add, the glory of perfecting
a scheme so magnificent, this line of steamers would contribute largely to the
benefit of commerce. Already many thousands of Chinamen are annually
embarking for California, paying for their passages each $50, and finding
themselves in everything, excepting water and fuel for cooking their food.
.. . “ These provident people are the most patient and enduring laborers, and
must, by their orderly habits, add greatly to the agricultural interests of
California.
“ But Shanghai is now becoming the great commercial mart of China,
already does it outrival Canton in its trade with the United States, and
when it shall be considered that the fine teas and silks, and other rare and
valuable commodities of that part of China can be conveyed by means of
steam to California in five, and to New York in eight weeks, it is impossible
to estimate in anticipation the advantages that may grow out of an intercourse
so rapid and so certain.” *
* The importance of the Bonin Islands to the advancement of commercial interests in
the east is so great, that the subject has more or less occupied the mind of the Commodore
since his return ; and this importance is best shown by. the following document which has
been placed in the hands of the compiler by Commodore Pen y since this chapter was
written:
Notes with respect to the Bonin Islands.
My visit to the Bonin Islands forcibly impressed me with the idea of their importance
as a point of rendezvous for vessels navigating that part of the Pacific ocean in which they
lie, and especially as offering a port of reftige and supply for whaling ships resorting to those
regions, as well as a depot for coal for a line of steamers which, ere long, must unquestionably
be established between California and China, via Japan.
Whales of several varieties abound in those parts of the ocean lying between the Bonins
and the coast of Asia, and are in greater numbers in the neighborhood of Japan. Until the
establishment of a treaty with that singular empire, the masters of whaling vessels were cautious
not to approach near to its shores, under a well-founded apprehension of falling into
the hands of the Japanese, and suffering, as a consequence, imprisonment and cruel treatment.
These fears should no longer exist, as the stipulations of the treaty make provision
and offer guaranties not only for kind treatment to those Americans who may approach
the coast, or be thrown by accident upon its hitherto inhospitable shores, but allow all American
vesssls under press of weather to enter any of its ports for temporaiy refitment; and
the ports of Hakodadi and Simoda are open for all purposes of repair or supplies.