Simpson, Edward (1824-1888) Journal of a cruise in the U.S.S. Portsmouth on the East India station, A. H. Foote Esqre commander, book II.
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05911.02.02 Author/Creator: Simpson, Edward (1824-1888) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1857 Pagination: 1 v. : 98 p. ; 19.5 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Calf cover.
Excerpts:
[11 April 1857] "Got underway at 8 A.M. Dipped colors to Commodore - Cleared down royals to English Admiral, he dipped his colors, we lowered ours. Got to sea by 'Lentoo Channel'
[4 May 1857] "…Heard of the case of the Henrietta Maria. She was found at sea by the 'Coeur de Lion,' she had no captain, register, or navigator; no satisfactory account could be given since she had left Macao …It is thought that there must have been a mutiny on board …
[5 May 1857] "…Captain Foote called on the Governor (Blundell) familiarly called Blundering Blundell from his always putting his foot in it …Consul Biddle visited the 'Spartan' & was saluted with 9 guns which we returned. These personal salutes are always returned by Frenchmen; Englishmen sometimes return them …"
[16 May 1857] "…Native Indians came at 1:30 P.M, dined with us & left at 8:30 …"
[19 May 1857] "…Wrote another hurried letter to Dahlgren quoting Macomb's testimony to corroborate my theory as to shells exploding as mines in a wall …"
[27 May 1857] "…anchored near the shipping [in Bangkok, Siam], just in sight of the shore which is very low …" Describes the history and politics of the country and says "the 2d King has a son called George Washington …"
[May 30, 1857] Describes many ships coming to Bangkok and says "…All are coming here for rice which is sold in China for 5 times what they give for it …"
[2 June 1857] "…The son of prime minister & suite came out in a small steamer; came on board, fired a salute of 21 guns …" "…There is a very unfair division here of this world's goods, the revenues are in the possession of a few and the rest are abject slaves. The distinctions of rank are very clearly marked by the postures assumed …I walked with Captain Foote, after all had gone to bed, we talked of religion, Christianity, the heathen & the grave; it was a pleasant talk & calculated to draw hearts together through a spiritual bond …"
[5 June 1857] "…full dress & went to see 2d King who...showed us some enormous diamonds valued from 2 to 6 thousand dollars each, also fine rifles & pistols."
[12 June 1857] "…2d King came on board with Suite of 17. Prince George Washington was of the party …"
[16 July 1857] "…Mr. C.W. Bradley came on board at about 6 A.M. having with him the ratified treaty with Siam. He had finished his work, so we got underway at once …"
[7 September 1857] "it is to be hoped that no ships will be sent out now without being supplied with the charts made by Perry's Squadron…"
[13 September 1857] "…The ship is full of a disease of the eyes 'Conjunctivitis' contracted at Shanghai, also intermittent fever, from both of which I am mercifully preserved."
[Additional excerpts available.]
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