Cargados and between the island Galega and Laya de Mahla Bank; thence,
doubling the northern extremity of that bank the ship was steered to the
eastward for Pona Moluque, the southernmost of the Maldives; after passing
this the course was direct for Point de Galle in Ceylon.
Before leaving the United States, Messrs. Howland & Aspinwall, of
New York, at the suggestion of the Commodore, had despatched two ships
laden with coal, one to the Cape of Good Hope, and the other to Mauritius.
The prudence of this precaution was proved by the result; but for these
two cargoes the Mississippi, as well as the other steamers of the squadron
which were to follow her—the Powhatan and Alleghany—would have had
the greatest difficulty in procuring fuel. In the case of both cargoes, they
arrived at their respective places of destination a few days before the Mississippi,
so that both at the Cape and Mauritius the ship was enabled at
once to take in fresh fuel, and leave a supply for the steamers that were to
come after.*
Having taken on board about five hundred tons of'this coal, with such
other supplies as were needed, the Mississippi left St. Louis on the morning
of the 28th of February, intending to touch for a further supply of fuel either
at Point de Galle or Singapore, if it should appear possible to reach the latter
named place with the coal taken on board at Mauritius. The course was
that already indicated above, and on the evening of the 10th of March the
light was made on Point de Galle, island of Ceylon, after a passage of thir-
teen days.
The port of Point de Galle is the general rendezvous of the English
India mail steamers, not only of those which ply to and from the Red sea,
but of those which double the Cape of Good Hope, bound to India or the
China seas. Large quantities of coal and patent fuel are brought from
England and deposited there; and though the quantity would seem to be
enormous, yet so great is the consumption of the numerous steamers, of
which there are about ten each month touching at the port, that there is
sometimes an apprehension felt of the supply of fuel falling short. The Oriental
Steam Navigation Company have given positive orders not to supply a
single ton to any foreign vessel-of-war, and consequently the Mississippi
could obtain only a limited supply from the Bengal government.
* “ To the zealous and energetic services of Messrs. Howland & Aspinwall, in the
faithful fulfilment of their engagements with the Navy Department, I am greatly indebted;
had it not heen for their prompt and e f f e c t u a l agency, I should have found myself seriously
embarrassed in controlling the movements of the steamers of my command. Ih e ample
provision thus placed at my disposal not only relieved me from care upon the score of fuel
without which side-wheel steamers are worse than useless, hut enabled p i e to exercise a
most gratifying courtesy in furnishing to several foreign war steamers supplies of this
essential article, which could not be obtained at the time from any other source.”—Extract
from ihe Commodores Journal.
The town of Galle is situated upon a peninsula, the inner curve of which
forms the harbor. Thick walls of considerable height enclose the town
within a space of about fifteen acres. The inhabitants are thus shut up
within a close fortress, from which the sea breezes are almost entirely
excluded, and must suffer very much from the heat, which cannot be otherwise
than excessive, in a latitude almost under the equator. The heat, however,
is not so intense as on the neighboring coast of India. During the
stay of the Mississippi the highest range of the thermometer (Fahrenheit)
was 85°, and the lowest was 82°. The ordinary range at Point de Galle,
however, is set down at from 70° to 87°.
Fresh supplies of food of almost every description can be readily obtained
at this port; bullocks, pigs, fruit, and vegetables, abound. The fish are
abundant and good. Wood is plentiful and tolerably good. Water can be
obtained in reasonable quantities, but it is bad.
The population of the town is composed of English officials and merchants,
and a motley collection of tradesmen and laborers of all varieties of
color, from negro black to dingy brown.
The Commodore and his officers were not a little mortified, as well as
somewhat embarrassed, by finding, on their arrival at Point de Galle, the
United States commercial agent, a native of Scotland, confined to his premises
under an execution for debt. Various accounts of the circumstances
connected with this unfortunate position of affairs were communicated to the
Commodore, but he studiously avoided any interference with the matter. I t
was no part of his business or duty to interpose; and humiliating as was this
state of things, he could not but feel that the fault was in the former consular
system of the United States. Our country had no right to expect our
consuls and commercial agents, many of whom were unfitted in every respect
for their stations, either to represent or sustain the commercial interests of
the nation so long as the system then existing was followed. The fees at
many of the places where our consular agents were accredited, it was notorious
would scarce suffice to clothe them, and, accordingly, to eke out a
scanty living, they were frequently obliged to resort to some sort of
business, often not of the most dignified character. Of course, there were
always honorable exceptions to this unfavorable state of things. Many of
our consuls have been and are men of high position, who have not failed to
exercise a strong influence upon the local governments within which they
may have resided. But for this they have been less indebted to the consular
office than to their deservedly high commercial standing; at the same time
it may be true, that possessing such high personal characters as they do, in
their cases, the consular office, worthily bestowed, may add somewhat to
their influence. The recent action of Congress has shown the sense entertained
by that body of the correctness of these views and of the need of
reform; and it is hoped the measures adopted will guarantee for the future