One officer, after questioning us somewhat closely and hearing our story, expressed surprise, remarking that he, as well as most of his countrymen, had got the impression that the “privateers”—as the English persist in calling them—never destroyed private property, and were always careful not only to protect the passengers themselves, but also their luggage. He also said that if our property was insured in such a way that, by taking any part of it, the policy would be invalidated, Captain Maffit—had he wished to do the upright and noble thing—could have taken my silver, and some other articles which were valuable from family and other associations, and presented them to me. He considered that the conduct of Captain Maffit and his officers was very unlike that of the noble English sailor; and that all the particulars in relation to the destruction of our property, together with the final stealing of a part of the remnant of what Captain Maffit had given us, and promised should be sent on board the bark, ought to be made known, as it would tend greatly to correct the impression entertained by many abroad, and which had been gathered from the public prints, respecting the character of the officers of these vessels. At that time I was not aware of the deceit which Captain Maffit had practised upon me in relation to my policy of insurance, and my right to take what I could of the insured packages; and consequently could not, as I do now, present the case in all its enormity. Nor did I know, until I reached Boston, that the face of the document which I gave Captain Maffit to read showed no war risk; and that had it been so, instead of leaving what I might conveniently have had, it was my duty to save all I could, and account for it to the insurers.
We found the weather extremely cold on nearing the coast of Nova Scotia, but reached Halifax on the 1st of March, just in time to get nicely housed in a comfortable hotel before the region was visited with the severest snow-storm of the season. Here we were detained five days, waiting for the Arabia, which, on her voyage from England, had met with much bad weather, and was somewhat behind her time. Meanwhile our consul, Mr. Jackson, and family, becoming acquainted with our case, sought us out, and together with some of their pleasant English friends did all they could to make our stay agreeable. We soon learned that Mr. Jackson was very popular, and it was remarked to us by an Englishman that he filled the office with credit and dignity, being all that the position required,—and was not only a man of ability, but also a gentleman of cultivated taste and refinement.
Mr. Jackson’s kind attentions to us ceased not until, following us on board the Arabia the morning of the 5th, he bade us good-by and wished us a safe and speedy passage home. The Arabia had a large number of passengers, and for a little time the news of our misfortunes, and the loss of the Jacob Bell created quite a sensation, and I was informed gave rise, on one or two occasions, to some spicy conversation in relation to the rebellion, between a few of our countrymen and some English gentlemen. But, as on board the Delta, English army officers and gentlemen were surprised at what we had experienced, and thought that ours must be an extreme case, until informed that it was the opinion of one of the officers of the Florida that we might be thankful for having fallen into the hands of Captain Maffit instead of the captain of the Alabama; as in the latter case we would not have been allowed any of our luggage, but merely the clothes we were wearing. On learning this, they had nothing more to say in favor of such out-and-out pirates, but remarked that the particulars in our case ought to be made known.
On the night of the 7th (Saturday) we were nearing Boston, but, encountering a severe snow-storm, were obliged to stand off and blow the whistle most of the night. Sunday morning, however, found us at the entrance to the harbor. We could not have chosen a more inhospitable morning to greet, for the first time, our home-land; yet, on going upon deck, the view of the coast, though bearing an aspect cold, bleak, and uninviting, brought joy and warmth to the heart, and words of thankful gratitude to the lips.
We hoped to reach the wharf soon after breakfast, but on entering the harbor a succession of contretemps seemed to follow us. From some cause we grounded, and it was not until noon that our friends—who since early morning had been awaiting our arrival—could step on board to greet and welcome us.
FINIS.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Fuego is the Portuguese word for fire.
[2] This is called, at Cape Town, the “Table-cloth.”
[3] Madagascar was formerly thus called by the natives.
[4] Pulo is the Malay for island.
[5] Almost all Hindus bear the name of some one of their gods. Samy means god, or lord.
[6] Among these was the Rev. Levi Janvier, D. D., of the Presbyterian mission of Lodiana,—a place in the Punjaub province,—the recent news of whose sudden and lamented death has saddened the heart of every one who had the pleasure of knowing him.
[7] A general term for the enclosed grounds about the houses of foreigners.
[8] Foreigners, not speaking the Chinese language, in their intercourse with the natives make use of a patois, called Canton, or pigeon (business) English.
[9] “Fightee,” and “chop-chop,” both mean quick, directly, immediately.
[10] A single cash, which is equal to one farthing, is the smallest fractional part of the Chinese currency.
[11] So called because it is the principal mooring place, and is, in fact, a floating village of little boats, called “sanpans,” in which the Chinese fishermen and boat-people live. It is one of the numerous bights with which the coast of Hong Kong is indented.
[12] Tanka means egg; therefore these boats, being egg-shaped, are called in the Colony tanka-boats, and the women managing them, tanka-women.
[13] On our excursion to the Guia we traversed a portion of the Praya, and also the Alameda, a public square, which is planted with trees, and passing through one of the two gates, in the northern wall of the city, followed the Campo Road that led to this park.
[14] In the religion of the Chinese there is no love of their god, but a great fear of the devil, or of the spirit of evil, which they are always aiming to propitiate.
[15] Pronounced Wompoo, i. e. the yellow anchorage.
[16] This word has various meanings; I do not know, however, why it is applied to these floating houses. The Chinese merchants speak of a “chop” of tea or silk, meaning an amount which bears a certain mark. They eat with chop-sticks; and a ship’s clearance to go to sea, after she has taken cargo, is called a “grand chop.” Then there is the expression, “chop-chop,” meaning, if addressed to a servant, to “be quick,” or, “do it immediately.” To say “chop-chop” to your chair-Coolie, means “step faster.”
[17] If a sample—called by the Chinese a “muster”—of Western furniture is given to a Cantonese cabinet-maker, he will directly produce a well-made and exact copy of the original.
[18] The unquestioned obedience which is rendered to Chinese parents by their children, and the respectful reverence that is manifested for the aged by all classes of the people, are the most remarkable characteristics of the nation. In fact, the Chinese unwittingly keep that commandment to which is annexed the promise, and it has been questioned by many, whether their great antiquity and long-continued existence as a prosperous nation, may not be owing to the honor they pay their parents.
[19] The housekeeper has the store-rooms, pantries, safes for food, etc., under her own supervision.
[20] That is, some god-worship.
[21] Dr. Williams’s Middle Kingdom, Vol. i. p. 130.
[22] Dr. Williams.
[23] This institution is usually called by foreigners the “Provincial College.”
[24] Called the “District College.”
[25] A street in this neighborhood, entirely occupied by the shops of booksellers, is called Book Street. Here are met the students and literati, who, like the cultivated and learned men of other lands, are fond of looking after, and gossiping about, whatever is new and wonderful in their world of letters.
[26] The respectable Chinese, after having taken a wife according to the prescribed forms, do not go through the marriage formalities with another woman during the lifetime of the first. A man, however, may introduce concubines into his family without any other ceremony than a contract with their parents; but they and their children are not only subject to the will of the wife, but serve her.
[27] Said to be one of his toe-nails.
[28] Missionaries of the American Board at Canton.
[29] An imitation of jade, or serpentine, of a vitreous composition between glass and porcelain, and of a cloudy-green color, is manufactured into ornaments that are much worn by the lower classes.
[30] According to Chinese etiquette it is very impolite, if not highly indecorous for a gentleman to look at a lady. The Taou-tai, therefore, treated me with marked respect.
[31] Called, also, by foreigners, the Swatow River.
[32] Some of the most fearful typhoons ever experienced in China have visited Swatow since this light-house was built. When I was at Swatow, it had, however, fallen into disuse; and, from recent letters received, I learn that it has finally been pulled down by the natives.
[33] The front of the theatre is entirely open, and is built high, so that the performance is in the second story, while the spectators stand in crowds outside.
[34] This is the ancient port of Zoi-tun mentioned by Marco Polo.
[35] So called because the noise made by heavy waves beating against one part of the shore, where there is a cave-like formation, is very similar to the beating of a drum.
[36] The fruit of the Citrus decumana.
[37] I cannot refrain from expressing here our gratitude to Mr. O——, an Englishman,—who, at that time represented the firm of Olyphant & Co. at Fuh-chau,—for his many acts of thoughtful kindness, and his gentlemanly attentions while we were his guests.
[38] In the local dialect it is Tongchin.
[39] One of these is called the White, and the other the Black Pagoda. They are very old, and are connected with Buddhist temples. The White Pagoda, however, is in such a state of decay that no one is allowed to ascend it.
[40] Fuh-chau is sometimes called by the natives, the “City of Banians.”
[41] The deer—which were purchased by Captain Frisbie—throve well, and were doing finely when we were taken by the pirate steamer Florida. Then, however, they passed into the hands of the chief buccaneer, Captain Maffit, who, soon after we were transferred from his vessel to the Danish bark Morning Star, visited the island of Barbadoes, and being dined and fêted by the Governor of that English colony, he presented these beautiful creatures to the daughter of his kind and hospitable entertainer. It was also reliably stated in the public prints that Captain Maffit and his officers made presents to the English ladies of beautiful articles from China and Japan. These ladies were also highly delighted with some small canisters of choice tea which Captain Maffit gave them; and as these were all from our packages, I cannot say less than to express the fear that if our English cousins enjoy the possession of the Oriental articles which we lost, they may also have disposed of their self-respect when drinking our tea.
[42] Lawful and honorable privateering never admits of plundering and appropriating the luggage and private property of the passengers found on the captured prize and seamen, of whatever nation, committing such outrages, are pronounced by all honorable men of the Christianized world, as pirates. In view of this long-established truth I am obliged, however I may regret the necessity of doing so, to give, at the outset of this narrative, the chivalric Southern officers, into whose gentlemanly (?) hands I was so unfortunate as to fall, their only appropriate name of pirates.
[43] Mr. W—— gave me a copy of my insurance policy a few days before we left Fouchau, remarking at the time that, in case anything disastrous happened, I must not trouble about my luggage. Not being accustomed to business, and ignorant of the rights or duties of the insured, when Captain Maffit said that he could not save my property, I unfortunately repeated to him Mr. W——’s remark, saying, also, that I had the impression it would injure the policy if I took any one of the insured packages. The captain at once assured me that it was so, and that unless I left the whole number named in the document, I would get nothing. My loss was between two and three thousand dollars.
[44] Most of Charlie’s money, which was in Mexican dollars, was in this package, and his father has since written him that the value of the contents of the trunk was two hundred dollars. It also contained the only mementos the boy possessed of his deceased mother.
[45] According to Captain Maffit’s statement.
[46] Since the above was written, a person who has some knowledge of Captain Maffit’s children, has suggested to me that he may have said nine years, instead of five,—his youngest son being then about the age of nine years; and, as we may have misunderstood him, I cheerfully give him the benefit of the doubt, which, however, does not very materially ameliorate the cruel character of the child.
[47] Lieutenant Reed was finally commander of the pirate Tacony, and was captured near Portland. He is now in Fort Lafayette.