PEEL ISLAND, BONIN GROUP. 129 



sets of the current. I am inclined to think that it washes the entire eastern seaward coast of 

 Japan; and that its hreadth, southeasterly from Cape King, is about 90 miles, setting to the 

 northward and eastward with a velocity of from 2 to 3 miles an hour, and for a considerable 

 distance southerly in the same direction with less velocity. In latitude about 30° 40' N. (it 

 being calm), lowered a boat and found about half a knot westerly current. 



In the hydrographical report of Mr. Walcutt, the master of this ship, will be found pretty 

 much all that opportunities had will allow to be said respecting the winds and currents expe- 

 rienced, and the islands, rocks, &c, seen upon this short cruise. 



I have visited all the settlers and residents at Port Lloyd, and distributed among them the 

 vegetable seeds which you furnished for that purpose ; also the agricultural implements, for 

 which they appeared to feel very grateful to you, and properly to appreciate these benefits, as 

 also all your other acts of kindness to them. Purser Allison and Dr. Gilliam, of this ship, have 

 also distributed China fruit and vegetable seeds which they procured at Hong Kong. 



Since your visit to Port Lloyd, the residents and settlers have formed a government or com- 

 pact by the name of " The Colony of Peel Island," and established laws and regulations for 

 their mutual welfare and protection — the government officers consisting of a chief magistrate 

 and two councilmen. A copy of the instrument of their government, laws, and regulations, is 

 herewith enclosed for your information ; also, a schedule of the vessels that have touched at Port 

 Lloyd for supplies, &c, since the Plymouth was there. These notes were taken by George 

 Horton, a man who belonged to the Plymouth, but being very sick with the dropsy, and his 

 time being out, by recommendation of the surgeon he was discharged by Commander Kelly, and 

 left at Port Lloyd. Since he has been there he has entirely recovered his health, and has 

 bought a good and comfortable place of a man who desired to leave, and has left, the island. 

 Horton, though old, is a smart and serviceable man at the island, and makes an excellent pilot. 

 He piloted the Macedonian in and out. 



The settlers being desirous of hoisting the American flag, and having none of any kind to 

 hoist, and as I thought it of importance to the many vessels touching there (principally Ameri- 

 can) that there should be a flag displayed when any vessel should be in sight, to identify the 

 port, I loaned them one for that purpose, to be retained until called for. 



I regret to have to report the loss of a bower anchor and thirty fathoms of chain-cable at Port 

 Lloyd, by the parting of the chain or its getting unshackled ; I suppose the latter, as the wind, 

 although strong in puffs, was not sufficiently so (having two anchors down) to fairly part such 

 a chain. In consequence of this mishap, it cost all hands two days' incessant labor in efforts to 

 recover it, and I lament to say without success — the water being so deep and the bottom so 

 rocky and foul. Eight anchors have been previously lost there, I was told, and none of them 

 ever recovered. Notwithstanding this loss and hindrance, together with three days of bad 

 weather, in which little or nothing could be done, the ship was filled up with excellent water, 

 four or five cords of dry wood obtained, the seine a number of times drawn with good success. 

 The great guns were exercised at target-firing, and most excellent shots made ; the boat-gun 

 was taken on shore and also exercised at target-firing, and the marines went on shore to drill 

 and exercise in the same way ; and most of the crew had liberty to land. 



The residents furnished us with such vegetables as they could spare, which this season of the 



year affords — onions and sweet potatoes only — together with all the turtle they had on hand, and 



all that our short stay and the bad weather would allow them to take. The most of the turtle 



I have brought for the use of the squadron, one of which is a present to. you from Mr. Savory. 



17 s 



