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19th Century American Whaling

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Inclosure 2 in No. 107.

Remarks on Peel Island, Bonin Groupe, situated in Lat. 27 5' 35" N., Long. 142 11' 30" E., August 9, 1837.

      AFTER Captain Beechey's visit to, naming of this Island and Port, and taking formal possession of the Groupe, as per inscription, in good preservation, on a sheet of copper, as follows:

      "His Britannic Majesty's ship Blossom, Captain F. W. Beechey, took possession of this Groupe of Islands in the name and on the behalf of His Britannic Majesty, George IV., 14th June, 1827."

      The first settlers were Matteo Mozaro, a native of Ragusa, but who had been many years in the employment of Mr. Bennet of Rotherhithe, near London, an owner of whale-ships in the South Sea Fishery, and had also served on board an English sloop-of-war, in the West Indies, named La Morne FortunÉe. With Matteo Mozaro came Richard Millichamp, a native

of Devonshire, his partner; they sailed from Oahie the 21st May, 1830, with two Americans, one Dane, and a party of Sandwich Islanders, viz. men, five in number; women, ten in number – in all twenty persons, under the countenance of Mr. Richard Charlton, His Majesty's Consul for the Sandwich Islands, who supplied Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp with a Union-Jack, and a Paper describing them as deserving persons, who had, at their sole expense and risk, fitted out the expedition to settle on one of the Bonin Islands, as per accompanying Documents.

      From the schooner that brought them from Oahie, two Sandwich Islanders and one American deserted, increasing their numbers to twenty-three.

      The numbers on the Island when the Raleigh left Port Lloyd, 10th August, 1837, were as under,

      I have been thus particular to show how fluctuating has been the state of the population of Port Lloyd. Last May, the period for which the Sandwich Islanders had bound themselves to labour for Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp was at an end; and from that time, being free agents, they have done little or no work. Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp are of opinion that 30 more families, say 3 persons in each, could be comfortably and substantially located and fed; having besides a reasonable stock to dispose of to ships arriving, to supply themselves with clothing, tools, and a few dollars per annum. The want of a fixed head, authorized by Government, is severely felt, and from the want of unity among the settlers, frequently occasioned by competition in supplying such whalers as arrive, and frequently by the conduct of their crews; ships which have good crews will not anchor in the Port, fearing their men will desert; others, which have bad men, land them, and disturb the tranquillity of the settlers, by putting them in fear for their lives and properties; as in the instance of the Cadmus, Tory, and Admiral Cockburn. The settlers wanted me to interfere in some of their little local disputes, but as I had no authority, I only listened to their several complaints, and advised unity; hence, the number of affidavits sworn before me.

      The Union Jack given to Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp by His Majesty's Consul at the Sandwich Islands, being quite worn out, and their flag-staff blown down, I considered it my duty to supply the deficiency, and rigged them out substantially, in order to point out to strange ships on which side of the Port to apply for supplies.

      Peel Island has already, in great cultivation, sweet Potatoes, Taro, Indian Corn, Onions, Yams, Pumpkins, Water Melons, Sugar Cane; Tobacco has been planted, and with such success, that it is likely to give them a great deal of trouble from its spreading so fast, and the want of hands to gather it in, and prepare it; it is said to be of an excellent quality; they have a few excellent lemon-trees planted from seed, which bear well, but are neglected.

      Pigs are in great abundance. For them the Indian corn is cultivated, and they are sold at from four dollars to eight dollars each.^* Wild Hogs are also many in number, and a breed of Dogs, brought from the Sandwich Islands, are so well taught that they will at any time, under the direction of their masters, find, attack, and bring down the largest.

      The Island has also many jungle-fowl, for, on first arrival, the settlers managed to get their poultry adrift; and in a wild state they have increased greatly, to the annoyance of their corn-fields.

      Goats in a wild state are on the southern head, which at high water is an island, and are many in number; no tame ones, save a pair left by the Raleigh.

      There are no noxious animals or snakes on the island; no rats, but many mice. Sharks are numerous but small; these the dogs frequently chase in shoal water, capture, and drag them high and dry on the sandy beaches.

      Although the timber on the Island is in great plenty, there is not more than required, if a larger number were to settle; there is none fit for masts; one sort is in great plenty, called Toomana, which is used for floors and planking; being also ornamental, furniture is made from it. The mulberry-tree is very hard, used for posts or stanchions for their dwellings, and never decays in the ground. There is also a small quantity of sandal-wood, but not sufficient to make a remark; Mr. Mozaro, with eight men, being three months collecting thirty peculs.

      Not the least vestige of previous occupancy has been discovered by the present settlers, who have now been resident since July 26, 1830, and have examined every part of the Island; and I am of the same opinion as themselves, that Peel Island is one of those numerous islands in the North Pacific that has been never occupied.

      The settlers have heard of acts of piracy being committed on the coast of Japan by the whalers, but cannot vouch for the truth of the statements of themselves. They know nothing, and never knew of any plunder being brought to Port Lloyd – in fact, they say "we have no dollars," which piratical persons would require for the stolen property.

      In conclusion, I beg to submit that a Vice-Consul, under either the Superintendent of British Trade in China, or His Majesty's Consul for the Sandwich Islands, would be a sufficient head in the present infant state of the settlement, and protect it from the lawless behaviour of the whalers, as he could report to his superior, who might move His Majesty's Government to direct their Attorney-General to prosecute, on their arrival in England.

      Messrs. Mozaro and Millichamp would be very glad to receive ten China men and their wives; they would place them on productive land on what they term "Halves," viz., that half the produce should be paid to them in lieu of rent, and in full of all demands.

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