CHAPTER VIII. 



MANILLA. 



1842. 



At daylight, on the 13th of January, we were again under way, with 

 a light air, and at nine o'clock reached the roadstead, where we 

 anchored in six fathoms water, with good holding-ground. Being 

 anxious to obtain our letters, which, we were informed at Oahu, had 

 been sent to Manilla, I immediately despatched two boats to procure 

 them. On their way to the mole, they were stopped by the captain of 

 the port, Don Juan Salomon, who requested them, in a polite manner, to 

 return, and informed the officers that, agreeably to the rules of the port, 

 no boat was permitted to land until the visit of the health-officer had 

 been made, -fee. 



The captain of the port, in a large barge, was soon seen pulling off 

 in company with the boats. He boarded us with much ceremony, and 

 a few moments sufficed to satisfy him of the good health of the crew, 

 when he readily gave his assent to our visiting the shore. Every kind 

 of assistance was offered me, on the part of the government, and he, in 

 the most obliging manner, gave us permission to go and come when we 

 pleased, with the simple request that the boats should wear our national 

 flag, that they might at all times be known, and thus be free from any 

 interruption by the guards. The boats were again despatched for the 

 consul and letters, and after being anxiously watched for, returned ; 

 every one on board ship expecting his wishes to be gratified with news 

 from home ; but, as is usual on such occasions, the number of the happy 

 few bore no comparison to that of the many who were disappointed. 



Our vice-consul, Josiah Moore, Esq., soon paid us a visit, and gave 

 us a pressing invitation to take up our quarters on shore while we 

 remained. To this gentleman and Mr. Sturges I am greatly indebted 



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