hended from them. To conclude, I am satisfied that under ordinary circumstances, to pass through the Sooloo Sea will shorten by several days the passage to Manilla or Canton, and be a great saving of expense in the wear and tear of a ship and her canvass.

On the 13th, we passed near the location of the Viper Shoal, but saw nothing of it. It is, therefore, marked doubtful on the chart. As I had but little time to spare, the look-outs were doubled, and we pursued our course throughout the night, sounding as we went every fifteen minutes; but nothing met our view.

On the 14th, although we had the northeast monsoon blowing fresh, we experienced a current of twenty-two miles setting to the north. This was an unexpected result, as the currents are usually supposed to prevail in the direction of the monsoon. On the 15th, we still experienced it, though not over fifteen miles. On the 16th, we found it setting west, and as we approached the Malayan Peninsula it was found to be running southwest.

On the 18th, we made Pulo Aor and Pulo Pedang, and arriving off the Straits of Singapore I hove-to, to await daylight. In the morning at dawn, we found ourselves in close company with a Chinese junk. The 19th, until late in the afternoon, we were in the Singapore Straits, making but slow progress towards this emporium of the East. The number of native as well as foreign vessels which we passed, proved that we were approaching some great mart, and at 5 P. м. we dropped our anchor in Singapore Roads. Here we found the Porpoise, Oregon, and Flying-Fish, all well: the two former had arrived on the 22d of January, nearly a month before, and the latter three days previously. Before concluding this chapter, I shall revert to their proceedings since our separation off the Sandwich Islands.

The instructions to the brigs have been heretofore given; but it may not be amiss to repeat here that the object in detaching them was, that they might explore the line of reefs and islands known to exist to the northward and westward of the Hawaiian Group, and thence continue their course towards the coast of Japan. Had they effected the latter object, it would have given important results in relation to the force of the currents, and the temperature of the water. It was desirable, if possible, to ascertain with certainty the existence on the coast of Japan of a current similar to the Gulf Stream, to which my attention had been particularly drawn.

The first land they made was on the 1st of December, 1841, and was Necker Island. Birds, especially the white tern, had been seen in numbers prior to its announcement. Necker Island is apparently a mass of volcanic rocks, about three hundred feet high, and is destitute

of any kind of vegetation, but covered with guano. It is surrounded by a reef, three miles from which soundings were obtained, in twenty fathoms water. The furious surf that was beating on all sides of the island, precluded all possibility of a landing being made. By the connected observations of the vessels it lies in longitude 164° 37′ W., and latitude 23° 44' N.

The French-Frigate Shoal was seen on the 3d; the weather proved bad, and they were unable to execute the work of examining this reef. The sea was breaking furiously upon it.

On the 7th, the Maro Reef was made in latitude 25° 24′ 29′′ N., longitude 170° 43′ 24′′ W. Bottom was found at a distance of four miles from the reef, with forty-five fathoms of line. On the 8th, they passed over the site of Neva Isle, as laid down by Arrowsmith, but no indications of land were seen.

On the 11th, Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold determined, on account of the condition of the brigs, and the continuance of bad weather, it was impossible to keep their course to the northward and westward towards the coast of Japan: he therefore hauled to the southward, which was much to be regretted, and followed so very nearly in the same track as that pursued by the Vincennes, towards the China seas, that nothing new was elicited by them.

After a passage of fifty-six days from the Sandwich Islands, they dropped their anchors in Singapore on the 19th of January, 1842, all well. Here they found the United States ship Constellation, Commodore Kearney, and the sloop of war Boston, Captain Long, forming the East India squadron.

SOOLOO ARMS.

CHAPTER X.

CONTENTS.

VARIETY OF SHIPPING IN THE ROADS-VIEW OF THE TOWN-AMERICAN CONSULENTRANCE OF THE RIVER-LANDING-VIEW FROM THE CONSULATE GREAT VARIETY OF COSTUMES, RACES, RELIGIONS, AND LANGUAGES-POLICE AND MILITARY FORCE— HISTORY OF THE SETTLEMENT OF SINGAPORE-ITS GOVERNMENT-TREATY OF 1824POLICY OF HOLLAND-CHEAPNESS OF BUILDING-SOCIETY-ISLAND OF SINGAPORETIGERS- BOTANY AND CULTIVATED PLANTS-MODE OF CONVEYANCE-CHINESE INHABITANTS-THEIR GAMBLING-THEIR APPEARANCE AND DRESS-THEIR TEMPLE -THEIR FESTIVAL OF THE NEW YEAR-THEIR THEATRICALS-THEIR FUNERALSFESTIVAL OF THE SHIITE MAHOMEDANS-AMUSEMENTS OF THE GENTOOS-BANISHED BRAHMIN-MAHOMEDAN SECTS-CONVICTS-MARKET-CURRENCY-TRADES-MALAYS— ARMENIANS-PARSEES-ARABS-CAFFRES-MIXTURE OF RACES-CHINESE CEMETERY -GENTOO BURIAL-PLACE-MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY — AMERICAN MISSIONARIESPAPUAN SLAVES-MANUSCRIPTS-SHIP OF THE KING OF COCHIN-CHINA-CHINESE JUNKS-TRADE OF SINGAPORE-TAXES-SLAVERY-OPIUM SHOPS-SMALL PROPOR TION OF FEMALES IN THE POPULATION -PENINSULA OF MALACCA-ITS GOVERNMENT-ITS RELIGION-MALAY CEREMONIES AT BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND FUNERALS -MALAY SACRIFICES-ANIMALS OF MALAYAN PENINSULA - PROBABLE INFLUENCE OF STEAM ON THE TRADE OF THE EAST-RAVAGES OF THE WHITE ANTS-CLIMATE OF SINGAPORE-SALE OF FLYING FISH-DEPARTURE FROM SINGAPORE.

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