Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 349

1842

Prip to Cunton in the Constellation

327

hearts, even the holy angels and Jehovah himself can look down with joy That the squadron has been sent out on a long cruize of three years, without a chaplain in either of its ships, is we think a matter of deep regret; and, on the part of the United States' government, a direliction of sacred duty. Its citizens, who are to be so long from their homes, should and have a right to claim for themselves more consideration from those whose honor and welfare they go abroad to promote. Ships of war-if we must so call all vessels engaged in the service of a government-ought not only to be provided with chap- lains, but the men so appointed should be selected from among the most able, accomplished, and pious ministers of the gospel; men who will be agreeable companions and counsellors to those whom they ac- company, while they discharge aright the obligations they owe to their Divine Master.

At present, on the river of Canton, between the outer-waters and Whampoa, there are no obstructions to vessels of any description ; and at Whampoa, even the Chinese government has little or no authori- ty. Consequently, all sorts of craft, native and foreign, and all kinds of commodities, come and go freely. No inconsiderable portion of the trade-perhaps a third or a fourth of the whole at Whampoa,—is now carried on in direct violation of the regulations of the port; all, however, that does come under the cognizance of the laws is suffi- ciently taxed, extra, to supply the deficiences of the public chest oc- casioned by illegalities. Now and then a native smuggler is seized; but of late occurrences of this kind are rare. A boat with seventy men was recently captured by two fishing smacks, and forty of the crew carried as prisoners to Cauton, there to be publicly executed. "Some sad catastrophe" may erelong befall these European small craft, unless they be well on their guard.

On the 20th, a man was seen half a mile astern of the frigate, endeavoring to swim to her. Our ship's boats soon brought him alongside. He proved to be a foreigner who had by some means, fair or foul, got on shore, been robbed of his money, and stripped half naked, and then forced by the Chinese into the river.

The next day assistance was requested, ou board oue of the ships in Whampoa, to quell a mutiny. Instances of this kind are not un- frequent; and the request for assistance was once or twice repeated during the Constellation's short stay on the river.

These movements gave to the Chinese some opportunity for be coming acquainted with the object and aims of the new visitor the 22d an armed boat, under the charge of a trusty officer was

On