VISIT OF THE LEW CHEW DIGNITARIES ON BOARD. 155 



On the 30th, it was rumored on board that some of the principal authorities on shore intended 

 on that day to visit the Susquehannah. Mr. Williams, the interpreter, came on board and 

 took up permanently his qiiarters in the ship, and a boat was dispatched for Dr. Bettelheim, 

 to be present on the occasion. 



On the preceding day, Lieutenant Contee and Mr. Williams went on shore to pay a visit to 

 the then supposed governor of Napha, since asertained to be the mayor. They were received 

 in a very polite and friendly manner ; though the mayor expressed his deep sense of mortifica- 

 tion that his presents had been refused. Lieutenant Contee explained that it was the uniform 

 practice of our government not to accept such presents for her ships, and tliat (in consequence 

 of our custom) the offering of them not unfrequently subjected the commander and officers to 

 mortification, as their refusal seemed like an ungrateful return for ofiered courtesy ; and that in 

 this case no disrespect was intended. 



About one o'clock, a very ordinary native barge, containing the Lew Chew dignitaries, came 

 alongside. The marines were in uniform, and every preparation had been made on board to 

 show them respect and produce impressive effect. One of the inferior officers came first up the 

 gangway with the card of his superior, which Mr. Williams, the interjireter, received and read; 

 the officer then returned, and the regent of the kingdom of Lew Chew, a venerable old man, in 

 a few minutes appeared, supported by two of his officers. Captains Buchanan and Adams 

 received him at the gangway, and were saluted by the regent after the fashion of his country. 

 His hands were joined upon his breast, wliile his body and knees were bent very profoundly, and 

 his head was slightly turned away from the person he addressed. The prince, it was said, was 

 a lad of eleven years old, and was represented to be ill. The old gentleman acted as regent for 

 him. Six or eight other officers and some dozen subordinates followed tlie regent to the deck. 

 A salute of three guns was then fired, which so startled some of the Lew Chew officers that they 

 dropped upon their knees. 



One of the most striking features in tlie visitors was their general imperturbable gravity. It 

 VFas indeed plain that they had intense curiosity, not unmingled with considerable alarm ; but 

 they were careful to preserve the most dignified demeanor. They were conducted to the 

 captain's cabin, and thence shown over the ship. They observed every thing with great gravity; 

 but when they reached the ponderous engine, their assumed indifierence was fairly overcome, 

 and it was evident that they were conscious of having encountered in it something very far 

 beyond their comprehension. They were much quicker of perception, however, than the Chinese, 

 as well as more agreeable in features, and much more neat and tidy in apparel. 



Up to this time they had not seen the Commodore. He had remained secluded in solitary 

 dignity, in his own cabin. It was not meet that he should be made too common to the eyes of 

 the vulgar. All this, of course, was mere matter of policy for the time being, as the Commodore 

 was no very unusual sight to the officers anl men of the squadron. The visitors were, however, 

 informed that they were now to be conducted into his presence, and were accordingly taken to 

 his cabin. Just as the regent reached the head of the steps the band struck up a lively air ; 

 but the dignified old man passed on without even casting an eye on the musicians. To him it 

 was doubtless a solemn occasion. The Commodore received and entertained his guests most 

 handsomely, and during the interview of an hour and a half between himself and the regent, 

 assurances of amity and good will were exchanged between the parties. On the retirement of 

 the regent he was escorted with great respect to the ship's side, and on his departure received 

 honors similar to those that had been tendered on his arrival. 



