FEGEES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 24, 30 September 1843, Page 2

FEGEES.

I Letters have been received from Captain 'Clayton, dated the 10th of August. Capt. Claytons friends, and acquaintances, will peruse the following extracts with much interest : — ! " The natives, though sanguinary amongst! themselves, are not so troublesome to the J whites as formerly. This arises from the] punishment inflicted on them by the American squadron, on killing two of their officers. Englishmen may be knocked on the head among the islands, and the only satisfaction j their friends obtain on application, is the Lan- j cashire verdict, " serve him right, he had no j business there." However we participate in the protection afforded to our Trans- Atlantic brethren, and there are as many^ of our country as the" other, to chance it. The largest island is nearly as large in extent as Jamaica, beautifully irrigated, noble forests of timber, abounds with all the necessaries of life, yam, taro, sweet potatoe, cocoa-nut, sugar cane, coffee plant introduced, the tea of commerce growing wild, or at least the plant, beche-le-mer, sandal wood, cotton, tobacco. American guaranteed to the natives, so no need of the fostering care of Great Britain, so fully displayed towards both native and European in New Zealand. Large ships already there, five arrived within the last two months. Native chiefs rightful owners of the soil ; all done byleaso. Factories established, and trade opened direct with China ; sugar manufactured for the colonies. They must not think in New Zealand that I am idle, because lam out of sight. I have nearly knocked myself up by running about all through the islands. They are most beautifully situated, and fevers never heard of. Tahiti is a French possession, most true ; never was more disappointed in my life, the men slothful in the extreme, women all , island overrun with underwood ; Jiigh aristocratic mission, no better than pioneers to the Catholic faith, all turning to the Roman religion ; colleges building, and children sent to Chili and Valparaiso to be educated ; that is the way_ to benefit a rude savage people, not by keeping up a humdrum mechanical system. I find the Fegee men hard materials to work upon, never mind, more durable when finished. I am using my best endeavours to lesson the consumption of spirits here. We have had the Temperance pledge established, and strictly adhered to ; and I only wish, both for the sake of whites and natives, that they would not import any spirits. In a few days I proceed over to Cantab, a most beautiful island, in fact it is Java on a smpYL scale ; this, I intend to make the seat of my rfcsi-

dence, and here I carry into operation twelve months' deep thought and exertions. 1 I suppose I am nearly forgotten : never mind, I shall wake up one of those days like a sperm whale ; I have been down to sound, and ere long I shall rise and spout again. " Evans had made a good speculation in the " Black Hawk" to the Navigators, where he has settled. Cohen, the Jew, is trading at the Fegees. Cummings and wife, had arrived at the Fegees, and proceeded to Navigators. King had ' sailed for Manilla with 1400 piculs of beche-le-mer, tortoise sholl, &c. ; from Manilla he goes direct to the States, and expects to be among the islands again in eighteen months. The " Gambia" is expected here next month, on her way to Manilla."