1840.] Wreck of the Transport " Indian Oak?' 923 



and what the islanders state is correct, the longitude shown by the " In- 

 dian Oak's" chronometer, must be twenty-five miles too far west. I 

 have had no opportunity of getting a lunar as yet, but shall endeavour 

 to do so by the first opportunity. 1 have also to add, that every cir- 

 cumstance relating to Chusan and the fleet, has been kept a secret from 

 the Islanders, fearing it might operate against us, as they are tributary 

 to China, and now fitting out two junks for Amoy. I trust however 

 we shall be relieved from our present painful situation before these or 

 other vessels return. Mr. Field, the bearer, I hope leaves to-morrow. 

 [ have the pleasure to state the dispatches and letters are saved, but 



more or less wet with sea-water. 



f Signed J J. J. R. B. 



Note. — I lose no time in publishing the above interesting narrative, 

 rhe natives of the Loochoo Islands seem to preserve unimpared the 

 kindness of disposition, whicli distinguished them when Basil Hall visited 

 that distant archipelago, although some greater degree of caution and 

 strictness as respects intercourse with the interior, on the part of foreigners, 

 seems now to obtain among them, than was the case when Englishmen 

 first became intimately acquainted with them. Of Captain Beechey's sub- 

 sequent visit, there exists I believe no published account ; and although Mr. 

 Iradescant Lay, the naturalist, who accompanied that officer, has published 

 a notice of the Bonin Islands, he has not included (I speak from memory) 

 in his work any detailed mention of the Loochoooans. A narrative of the 

 Russian Captain Creusensturn's voyage to Loochoo has I believe appeared 

 on the continent, but I have never seen the book. The accidental sojourn 

 of Captain Bowman and his party among these kindly islanders, is an 

 occurrence of much interest ; and it is to be hoped that no Englishman 

 wiU ever abuse their hospitality, nor fail to requite it, when the occasion 

 may offer of returning it in kind. ili 



6b 



