CONTENTS. Object of the Cruise-Selection of the Frigate-Her departure from Washington- Reflections on passing Mount Vernon-Descending the River-Hampton Roads -New-York-Additional Orders-Final Departure-Sandy Hook-Dismissing Sea-sickness-The Gulf-stream-A Storm at Sea-Cape de Verds-St. Antonio- A Whale-ship-Trial of Speed-Crossing the Equator-Rio Janeiro-Courteous Harbour of Rio Janeiro and surrounding Scenery-Appearance of its entrance from the Offing-Its works of Defence-City of Rio, or St. Sebastian-Public Square, Façade, and Fountain-Public Buildings, Houses, and Shops-Paucity of Ac- commodations for Strangers-Climate, Food, and Health-Arcos de Carioco, or Grand Aqueduct Discovery and Settlement of Brazil—Injustice to the Natives -Origin of the African Slave Trade-Discovery and Settlement of Rio Janeiro -Emigration of the Royal Family-Their Return to Portugal-Civil Revolution in Brazil-Accession of Don Pedro-War with Buenos Ayres, terminated by an unpopular Treaty-Abdication of Don Pedro-Insurrectionary Symptoms-Cler- ical Abuses-Population of Rio-Condition of the Slaves-Natural Productions Departure from Rio Janeiro-Glorious Sunset at Sea-A white Squall—A Man Overboard-A narrow Escape-Cape of Good Hope-Arrival of the Potomac at Cape-Town-Table Bay, with Sailing Directions-First Discovery of the Cape by Diaz-Origin of the Colony-Description of the Town-State of the Press, Cape of Good Hope-Progress of the Colony-Cape District-Districts of Stellen- bosch, Worcester, Swellendam, George, Uitenhage, Albany, Somerset, and Graaf Rainet-Population Table-Imports and Exports-Judiciary Establishment-Post- office-Humane and Religious Institutions-Revenue, Military, &c.-The Caffres -Captain Stout's Character of them-The Hottentots-Progress of Education VOYAGE OF THE UNITED STATES FRIGATE POTOMAC, UNDER THE COMMAND OF COMMODORE JOHN DOWNES, DURING THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE GLOBE, IN THE YEARS 1831, 1832, 1833, AND 1834; INCLUDING A Particular acCOUNT OF THE ENGAGEMENT AT QUALLAH-BATTOO, ON THE COAST OF SUMATRA; WITH ALL THE OFFICIAL DOCU PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS, AND SOLD BY THE PRINCIPAL BOOKSELLERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1835, By HARPER & BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New-York. DEDICATION. We have been a commercial people from the very germe of our existence; we must ever remain so; and it is the dictate of common sense to protect this commerce. This can only be done by an effective navy. This doctrine was well understood by our ancestors, who, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, made great exertions to raise a naval force for the purpose of taking Quebec ; and in all the subsequent wars up to the time of the siege of Louisburg, a half a century afterward, they continued to increase it, and it was to them power and fame. The spirit of their fathers was then on the wave, and guided them to victory. At this time the provincial armed vessels became quite formidable, and caused great destruction to the French commerce and fisheries. In the war of the revolution our navy crowned itself with glory, in the number and character of the battles it fought. At the time of our difficulties with France, in the days of her revolution, the American navy avenged the insults offered our flag, and gained new laurels. The spirited efforts of our navy in destroying the Barbary powers, for their piratical conduct to us, as well as to other nations, received the highest praise from all the Levant, which was, by the exertions of our naval force, freed from plunder and constant agitation. Even the Pope joined his voice to the plaudits which rang along the shores of the Mediterranean, for the service our naval heroes had rendered the commercial world. In the last war, in which our navy was so efficient and successful, |