hundred to twelve hundred thousand dollars capital annually; that the direct and circuitous trade springing from this island, has formed no inconsiderable item of our commercial prosperity; that if the aggregate of the whole trade could be ascertained, it would probably not fall far, if any, short of a sum equal to the entire capital of the Bank of the United States; and yet, only a short time since, when it became necessary to despatch an armed vessel to that point, a chart of the coast was not to be found in the possession of our government! And though the inquiry was not actually to be made, in what part of the world Sumatra was located, yet almost every thing that was known of it beyond the circle of those who were engaged in the trade, will be found in the Appendix marked A. and B.

This is not the only point to which these remarks might be applied; for many others could be named, were it our present purpose to do so. The genius of our people is strongly and decidedly imbued with the spirit of maritime adventure; and it is hoped, for the honour of our country and the American name, that the time has at length come, when the knowledge and protection of our government shall at least keep pace with, if not lead in, the enterprise of its citizens.

Previous to the Potomac, no public vessel had visited India and China for the special protection of our commerce, since the Congress frigate in eighteen hundred and twenty-two; and none had passed through these seas since, except the Vincennes, on her return from the Pacific in eighteen hundred and thirty. Following in the track of the Potomac, the Peacock and Boxer have both been in the east, and through a commercial agent, who went in the Peacock, we have understood that some new channels of trade have been opened, and obstructions in old ones removed. There is still room for further action; while further comment is reserved for another place.

An ample supply of wood and water, and fresh provisions from Soo-soo, had now been taken on board; and the rajahs of the neighbourhood continued to pay their visits to the commodore, or to send their deputations with professions of peace, and the promise of their future good deportment towards the AmeriIt might have been well, had time permitted further con

cans.

ference; but that was impossible. Other places in the east were to be visited, and the wide Pacific was to be crossed, ere the Potomac could reach the place of her original destination; so that on the morning of the eighteenth of February, the word was given to get under way.

CHAPTER XIV.

Passage to the Strait of Sunda-Centennial Anniversary of Washington's Birthday -Patriotic Reflections-Enter the Strait-Prince's Island-Java Head-Flat Point-Keyser's Bay-Lampoon Bay-Rajah Bassa Peak-Hog Point-Mew Bay and Island-Pepper Bay-Anger Roads and village-Cap and ButtonBantam, or St. Nicholas' Point-Shores of Bantam-Beautiful Prospect-Bantam Hill, bay, town, and villages-Traffic with the natives-Perilous adventure of the Commodore-The Thousand Islands-Burial of the dead-The Potomac anchors in Batavia Roads-Beacons in the Strait of Sunda.

As stated at the conclusion of the preceding chapter, the Potomac left the coast of Sumatra on Saturday, the eighteenth day of February, eighteen hundred and thirty-two, and for four days afterward was constantly tantalized with light and variable winds. Although at considerable distance from land, on the morning of Wednesday, the twenty-second, and within the usual range of the regular monsoon, the latter was found to be so much affected by the influence of alternate land and seabreezes, that the frigate was virtually deprived of the benefit of both. Hence, she was almost constantly becalmed, and the slightest breeze was hailed as a welcome visiter-all hands, running on deck to meet it.

Besides, this day, the twenty-second of February, eighteen hundred and thirty-two, was the centennial anniversary of the birth of Washington! How many manly and patriotic hearts on board that gallant ship, were throbbing with fervid emotion, responsive to the reflections which naturally suggested themselves! "What a glorious day is this, in our own country, where it is consecrated by patriotism, and hallowed by the gratitude of millions of independent freemen! What multitudes are now met together, indulging in pleasing recollections of the past, and in fond anticipations of the future! A century! One hundred years! What a little point in the annals of time!-what a small space in the age of a nation! What was our country, and what were we as a people one hundred years ago! What changes-what eventful vicissitudes have we passed through! If true to ourselves, what high destinies await us!

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"O Washington! dearest and best of our race,

Thy deeds through the night-cloud of ages shall lighten;

Thy name on his banner the soldier shall trace,

To hallow his death, or his triumph to brighten." "— -SPRAGUE.

"Insulated and distant as we are from our homes and the soulexciting ceremonies and festivities of the day,-with nearly the whole diameter of the globe between us-still we exult in the proud name and privileges of American citizens, and feel that the national tie which binds us to that beloved region, strengthens by distance. Though antipodes to those of our joyful countrymen who are now united in celebrating the birthday of Washington, we are with them in heart, and warmly embrace them with the arms of affection, gratitude, and patriotism. We pledge them in the deep musings of the silent heart; and between the change of watch, and the pressure of a tropical sun, we honour the day as well as our nautical duties will permit."

Such doubtless were the unexpressed feelings of many on this interesting occasion; neither were the brave tars forgotten, on whose valour and steadiness the efficacy and glory of our navy depend. They were treated by the commodore to an extra exhilarating draught; or, in language more technically correct, they were all called to "splice the main brace."

But they were recalled from the pleasing visions of their distant homes and national festivities, by the sadder duties incidental to their present situation. The sick-list had begun to swell on board the Potomac, and now comprised more invalids than it had at any former period since she left the United States. Some of these new cases were dysentery,-that ruthless scourge of seamen in the East Indies, and brought on, perhaps, in this instance, by change of diet, and drinking the river-water of Sumatra; but all things considered, the ship's crew might even then be termed very healthy.

From the last-mentioned date until the first of March, the Potomac stood along the outer channel, from the north, almost constantly beset by squalls, particularly for the last two or three days. But even these changes were acceptable, as they cooled the air, and relieved the redundant pulse and throbbing temple. On Thursday, the first of March, the wind was again fresh and steady, so that the ship was once more throwing the spray and

curling the water under her bows, in the fine style of ten knots an hour. In the evening, land was again announced from aloft, which proved to be the Island of Engano, the most southerly of the large islands on the west side of Sumatra. We lay to during the night with the maintopsail to the mast. On the following morning we again made sail, and stood for the Strait of Sunda, which has two channels leading into it from the northward :viz., the small channel between the west end of Java and Prince's Island, and the great channel to the north of this island, between it and the south coast of Sumatra.

The channel between Prince's Island and Java Head is about. four miles wide. This island, which is called by the natives Pulo Poutaugh, is the largest of any at the mouth of the strait, and yet not more than five leagues in extent, lying in latitude 6° 30' south, and longitude 105° 10′ east. Near its centre are some hills of moderate elevation, but near the shores the land is low, particularly on the west side, fronting the open sea. The Dutch were formerly in the habit of traversing this narrow channel, considering it the safer passage of the two. Many ships continue to do the same, although the other and wider channel between Prince's Island and Crockatoa is most generally frequented.

At eight o'clock on the morning of Friday, the second of March, Java Head was in sight; but did not present, as was expected, the appearance of a high bluff or promontory, although elevated land was seen over it, which may have been often taken for Java Head itself. A little to the eastward of it the land is also high, with steep cliffs facing the sea.

Java Head lies in latitude 6°48' south, and longitude 105° 11' east, and 1° 41' west from the city of Batavia. The coast of Sumatra, in a soft blue mist, was visible on the west, and the strait was expanding directly ahead, to the northeast. At this moment a wreck was reported, which brought all hands on deck. The unfortunate. stranger could be distinctly seen lying on her beam ends, with stump-topmasts extending out horizontally. Even the suffering survivers could be distinctly discerned clinging to the helmless hull, and the sympathies of all were quite awakened, as the Potomac's course was altered to bear down upon it. This amiable excitement, however, was but of short duration; as, on nearing the object of solicitude, it proved to be the trunk of a large pal