erately Ligh, their eyes dark, but not very brilliant or intelligent, and their
chins broad and massive. Their noses are long and flat, their lips thick and
prominent, and their large mouths display strong, well-formed teeth, which,
however, are generally blackish, from the use of the betel nut. The skin is
smooth, with a small supply of black coarse hair in those parts where it is
usually found, except on the head; there it grows profusely and straight, but
is worn short. Their limbs are lithe, and their hands and feet small. Their
language is soft and agreeable to the ear, but, although it is supposed to be
a derivation from the Malayan, it is not intelligible to those on board familiar
with the ordinary dialect of the Malays. They are, however, believed to be
of Malay origin, much modified by the effects of climate and accidental causes.
The intelligence of the Sil-li-ba-boos is so far blunted as to place them within
the category of the savage races, to which, in habits and social characteristics,
they are closely allied.”
One purpose of the visit of the Macedonian to Manilla was to hand over
the Sil-li-ba-boos to the governor-general of the Philippines, that they
might be protected and sent home. The governor, with many expressions of
gratitude for the kindness that had been shown toward these involuntary
wanderers, received them; and we may indulge the hope that, long ere this,
they have reached their native island, there to tell to their wondering countrymen
the story of their providential preservation and marvellous adventures.
On the 17th of August, the Macedonian (her officers having been shown
the greatest civility and kindness both by the authorities and the American
residents) left Manilla for Hong Kong, and her voyage presented a strong
contrast to what she had experienced in the run from Formosa to Manilla.
Captain Abbot reported that for the first five days he had either a dead
calm, or light, baffling winds from the north and northwest, which did no
more than enable him to make an offing from the land; and after that, either
calms or moderate breezes had prevailed, with pleasant weather, and the very
unusual circumstance of scarcely any southing in the winds. On the 26th,
the Macedonian was at her anchorage at Hong Kong.
Our artists, as usual, busied themselves in sketching scenes and objects
of interest on this their last visit to China, and directed their attention particularly
to the manipulations connected with the preparation of agricultural
products for market. The rice-hulling machine falls far behind that of the
Japanese worked by water.
Nor is the mode of whipping cotton, which fell under their observation,
more worthy of admiration. I t is a clumsy and laborious contrivance, which
Yankee ingenuity would soon supersede, provided the Emperor of the Celestials
would grant <c a patent for the invention,” which could be protected.
Without that, we think Jonathan will not tax his ingenuity.
H will be remembered that we left the flag-ship, the Mississippi, on her
way from Lew Chew to Hong Kong. She arrived after a short passage,
and the Commodore now turned his attention to affairs in China. The
reader will not have forgotten that the Plymouth, Commander Kelly, had
been left at Shanghai to wateh over the interests of our countrymen there,
and did not aeeompany the squadron on the second visit to the Bay of Yedo.
And now it was found that the Chinese imperial troops had given both the
Knglish and ourselves some work to do during the Commodore’s absence.
1 he first acts of aggression were shown in the latter part of February and
beggmnmg of March, very soon after our squadron had left for Japan on the
second trip. The imperial troops were at that time encamped around the
settlement of the foreigners at Shanghai, and the imperial fleet was anchored
off the place. They soon began their acts of violence and robbery on
the land, by tearing down buildings that the foreigners were erecting, and
stealing the materials; while their fleet, without the slightest previous
notice, commenced firing upon and searching all boats passing up or down
the river. Complaints were made in the first instance to the general commanding
the Chinese troops, and to the Taoutae, or commander-in-chief of
the fleet. These functionaries at length acknowledged their inability to
prevent such acts of aggression, and said that the foreigners would have to
protect themselves.
I t so happened that on the 6th of March a pilot boat, under the American
flag, and belonging to three of the foreign residents, Ayers, Linklater,
and Donaldson, all American citizens, was passing on the river with her ensign
flying, when, without hail or warning, she was fired upon by one of the
imperial fleet, the Sir H. Compton, and ordered alongside. The order was
perforce complied with. On reaching the Compton she was immediately
boarded from that vessel by a body of armed men, who forthwith hauled
down the American ensign, dragged the crew of the boat up the side of the
ship, and made them fast by lashing their long Chinese queues to the mainmast
Commander Kelly was informed of these facts by the American
consul at seven o’clock that evening, when, in a very few minutes, Lieutenant
Guest had his orders, and was under way for the Compton, in one of the
ships cutters, manned by eleven men, armed, and accompanied by the
owners of the pilot boat. His instructions were to release the boat and
crew, and demand of the captain by what authority he had dared thus to
insult the American flag. Lieutenant Guest, of course, interpreted his instructions
to mean that, if necessary, he should use force to release the boat
and her crew. He was soon alongside of the Compton, and, pursuant to orders
inquired first for her captain, to whom Commander Kelly had addressed a
note on the subject of the outrage. He was told that the captain was on
board the Agnes, another Chinese vessel of war; he pulled to her, and was
there told that he was on shore. Lieutenant Guest did not suppose it to be