CHAPTER IX
LAST LETTERS AND PAPERS
Copy of a letter to NATHANIEL SAVORY from WILLIAM MARSH
“GUAM,
"April 21st, 1862.
"MY DEAR MR. SAVORY,
"Captain Lass now being here I take the opportunity of sending you a few lines. I arrived here on the 27th of February from Sydney in the ship Beverley of New York. I condemned the Eliza L. B. Jenny and sold her and her oil. After paying all expenses and the crew left me $35.000, so you can see by that the owners have not got much on my weather bow. I have not been entirely asleep. I arrived in Sydney New Year's Eve and left on the 21st of the same month, what I call quick work. Marvin and the Cooper went home from Sydney in the Gazelle of New Bedford (Captain Baker). I paid Marvin $3.500. I got 150 barrels of oil going over from Guam to Sydney. The brig from Nailla leaves here to-day, the old Major and his family have gone and my brother-in-law, Bisente has also gone and I think he will get married this time in Manila. Carmen sends her respects to you and Maria. John is still living with your friend Millinchamp and is well and his master is as mean as ever. I have not exchanged a word with him for a year and a half. Carmen is expecting her confinement about the beginning of June, I think she will go through this time as she is now very well. I have bought the old Major's house for $1400. Ana's promised husband has been here in January bound to China to sell his vessel but she had a letter from him by this vessel from Manila saying he could not find sale for her and that he will come up in August and get spliced. I heard of Brown over at Sydney, somewhere about New Zealand, with 1800 barrels-his owners also failed the same time with E. L. B. Jenny but I don't think Brown will suffer any loss by the failure of his owners. The E. L. B. Jenny turned out 2027 barrels caught the whole voyage, not so bad after having so much bad luck. When I put her in dock I found her forefoot eaten very much with the worms and if the passage home had been undertaken I don't think she would have ever reached there. The oil sold in Sydney for $1.13 per gallon. We had an English war steamer here two weeks ago, called the Sphinx, having been in search of the wrecked crew of the Barque
Norna which they found on the Hogoulu Islands prisoners to the natives, but after destroying the towns and taking some of the Chiefs prisoners they delivered up all the men. She was bound to Hong Kong. We had quite a time here at the Governor's who gave a ball and all hands went on board the steamer and had a fine time. I don't know of anybody you may have about whaling about the Islands but Captain Lass, but I expect there will be some. You must give my respects to all the people--Bravo George, Jo Collins, Bill and all and Tom Webb. If you have many onions and garlics and there is anybody coming down this fall to Guam send me some and I will send you the pay by the first opportunity. If you like let Tom Webb read this letter as there is no secret and I want Tom to send me some onions and garlics also. Don't make a mistake and send them to old Millinchamp. The medical book of mine I could not get one like it to send you but if I can meet with one I will send it. Remember me and Carmen to Maria and the children.
"I still remain,
"Your most obedient servant,
"WILLIAM MARSH.
"When we got to Sydney the old Foremast was all gone in the hold. The carpenters there said they never see a mast hung on stilts before."
Copy of a letter to NATHANIEL SAVORY from E. BRAND, Pilot, Shanghai.
"SHANGHAI.
"May 21st, '65.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,
"I send you a few lines by Mr. Hendricks hoping you are well and enjoying good health, likewise all of your family. I arrived back in Shanghai in the course of six weeks after I left you and found things going to the dogs. I went away again soon after on the same lay but did not prosper so gave up the fishing in disgust. I am now at my old trade piloting and am doing about as well as any of them but I have had some heavy losses and it will take me all this year to retrieve them.
"I hope you have had a good fleet of whalers in this year and sold all your stock of onions and potatoes, etc., etc. My dear Friend, I often look back at your quiet and peaceful homes and envy you your primitive life, you need not repine at your lot for in civilized life, as it is termed, it is one continual war of wits who shall get the advantage of the other, and I am sick of it. If it was not for my old mother and a young sister who is in a consumption, I should bid adieu to this kind of life and settle down over there with you, that is if you would have me. Often, after a hard day's work running about in the sea, I long for your cool, shady trees and a comfortable smoke and chat, but stern duty compels me to stay here although I live in hopes of one day seeing you again. It is no use my sending you any account of the war for Hendricks will give you a more detailed account of it than I can write.
"The Mail Route will be established in the course of another year, but I think it will do you no good as the projected route is from San Franc: via Sandwich Islands and north part of Japan. If that is adopted the steamer will pass 800 miles to the north of your place. I have sent you a case of port wine, it is the most I can do for you just now as my financial condition is rather low--it is a luxury you are not able to get every day and it is good. Remember me to your wife and all your family, tell Agness to grow up a good woman and to look after you in your old age--I often think of her. Give my respects to Jack and the Bravas. I do not know how Hendricks will make out but if he can make it
pay, the schooner will run over there often, so it will be to all of your benefits to be as liberal as you can--if ever I come there it will be in my own vessel and carry the produce to market. Do not let any information you may get influence you unduly about this new line of steamers for if there was any hopes I would certainly tell you. I saw a gentleman the other day upon whose veracity I can rely and he told me the contemplated route is Yokohama, so that will do you no good. I must now bid you an unwilling farewell, hoping the Almighty God will take you all under his protection and bless and prosper you and yours.
“I remain your ever faithful friend till death,
"E. BRAND.
"P.S. Please write me a letter and let me know how you are getting on."
Copy
of a letter, with no address and the first sheet of which may be missing, from C.H. RICHARDS.
The next letter following throws some light upon it.
"Referring to our conversation in regard to my working the place in partnership with you I would suggest the folling ideas:--
"1st. I feel sure that with your advice as to the mode of raising produce I could relieve you from all the labor and care of mind.
"2nd. The market I could find with the schooner would enable you with less trouble than you now have to raise and sell more in one season than you now sell in four.
"3rd. It would please me during the leisure time to teach your children such things as would fit them to act for and support themselves when it becomes a necessity to do so. It would not add to the cares of your wife as I should be willing to build a house on the Pepper place and live there as soon as the house could be built.
"In case of the infirmities of age confining you to the house it would make your mind easier to have someone in whom you had confidence at hand to watch the interests of yourself and family. You might get someone more capable but you could not get anyone who would go beyond me in trying to make the connection advantageous to you.
"In case of your death I should pursue any course you might dictate to me or in case Mrs. Savory had not the same confidence in me that you have so kindly expressed I should feel it my duty to resign the place to any capable person she might select.
"As I should still retain my interest in the schooner which would trade south between the seasons one third of the produce would be all I require to enable me to live comfortably.
"I can only assure you that if we make the arrangement it will be my constant effort to have it gain your approval more and more every day. It would not require any outlay on your part as I would bring any loots or labor that you might advise.
“Respectfully yours,
"C. H. RICHARDS."
"There is one proposition I have to make in connection with the other arrangement. I put it on separate paper that if it does not meet your approval the other case may be considered separately. In coming to the Island I should wish to have a companion. From what I have seen of Agnes I think she and I could live happily together and with your approval shall ask her to be my wife. If this does not meet your approval please destroy it and forget that it was ever mentioned, but if it does, as I trust it will, please consider it as part of the other paper.
“Respectfully yours,
“C. H. RICHARDS."
Copy of a second letter from C. H. RICHARDS
“GUAM,
“August 24th, 1866.
"MY DEAR MR. SAVORY,
"Circumstances beyond my control induce me to ask you to release me from my agreement with you. I regret it very much but feel certain that if you could know all circumstances you would acknowledge the necessity. I have settled up with the schooner and made arrangements with Captain Bird, to take my furniture to Japan. The Medicine Chest and the Donkey and sugar you will please accept. I fear this will disappoint you and much wish I could tell you my reasons but I have not told even Captain Bird or Russell. Please trust in me that the reasons for this act are too powerful to be put on one side.
"Yours very truly,
"C. H. RICHARDS."
Copy of a letter to NATHANIEL SAVORY from CAPT. PERRY (?) BIRD.
“GUAM,
"Nov. 10th, 1866.
"MR. SAVORY,
"MY DEAR FRIEND,
"We leave here to-day for the Island of Ascension and other Islands along the line--if we have good luck shall go to the Prelew Island and to Manila and want to be in the Bonin Islands by the first of April if possible. I leave this letter with a friend to send it by the first chance and he will send you two pickets of Rice for Aline and you can take some of it if you want--now my good friend do please look out for Aline and the Boy--tell Aline I am all right and kiss the boy for me. Richards has done us a great deal of harm here, the girl's mother, Maddane Pepie has told him to leave her house and the whole thing is bust up. The Governor has also had a row with him. The Governor says that he will always be glad to have Captain Russell and myself come here to trade and
will do everything to help or assist us but does not want to see Richards again. He has told people here that he owned the schooner and that he had hired Russell and me, that is, he gave us a certain share for our work and that he was worth ten thousand dollars and a pack of Damn lies like that. When he made me out to be a mate or a lobbolly Boy and the folks at Town asked me about it I had for my own sake to tell them the truth. He has turned Roman Catholic and passes himself off for a great saint. I told Richards what you told me to tell him. He did not say much but asked how much you wanted to settle with him. I told him I did not know anything about it but if he gave me a Power of Attourney to act for him--if I were you I would get all I could. Mana's son has gone for a soldier, Mr. Millinchamp (?) has sent him, so I hear, I cannot find out for how long a time but he will not go off the Island. Her sister is well. We have done very well here and are in hopes that we will continue to do so. Russell and myself are well and hope you and your family are the same. And now, Mr. Savory, once more please look out for my girl and boy and God bless you and yours. Mana's son has gone seven years to be a soldier.
“Yours truly,
"PIERY (?)
"PURY (?) BIRD.
"PERRY (?)
Copy of a letter from WILLIAM MARSH.
"Schooner Eagle, MANILA,
"11th Jan., 1869.
"MY DEAR MR. SAVORY,
"I wrote you last year by Richards who delivered the letter to Capt. Bird and from him I learn that you received the same. Although I have received no answer I feel bound by our long acquaintance to drop you another line by our friend Bird who goes to Guam now in a few days. I hear that Capt. Brown in the Callao has been about the Bonins last season but as near as I can learn has been very unfortunate. No doubt you will have seen him and know all about that. I am getting along here very well and as well as yourself am growing old. I shall be 48 years old in a few days hence if I live to see it, the 2nd of next month. I will send you a picture and allow you to make up your mind from it how I look for a man of my age. Although I never drinked much rum I have sold considerably as you know, but I don't know as that makes people look any older. I should like to see you all once more. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to meet old friends and I consider you all as such as I believe I have always had the goodwill of everybody in the Bonins, particularly of poor old Joe Collins[1] when I brought plenty of rum. How I should like to come around and bring about 100 gallons of good rotgut and see the old boys have a time. I cannot spare time to write to all of you, but commission you to get all the old friends together and read d them these few lines and see how they feel. The probability is that we shall never meet again in this world but may in the one to come, but you may all yet consider me your friends and I believe you do. The pleasant hours that I have spent amongst you will never be forgotten. We have four children now, the last was born the 9th. of Nov. last and its name is Felice. I begin to think now that I have about enough of them for the more there are the more the trouble is I to provide for them. Mrs. Marsh sends much love to you and Maria for your kindness shewn us when there. Remember me to all, Webb, Jo Bravo, and George and
“Believe me,
"Yours very truly,
"WM. MARSH.
"Write me if an opportunity offers."
Copy of a letter to NATHANIEL SAVORY from GUSTAVE and LIZZIE BROWN.
"ASCENSION,
"Feb. 21st, 1870.
"MY DEAR SAVORY,
"I am happy to inform you of our safe arrival here on May 20th., all in good health and full of hopes--but hopes never to be realised to our great great sorrow for everything has been misrepresented to us. I, for my part, should have been well enough if it had not been for the manager of the company (called Captain Coe) a never-can-be-pleased sort of man, but I shall write as things went along so you can form an opinion of him and the state of things yourself. I landed on the station called Bonatick and was put into the main building on it--a two storey house--Capt. Pease and family staying in the house with me, that is upstairs, the ground floor being a kind of store room. Captain Pease stopped on shore because his cabin was getting altered. My business was to take care of all stores and things on and about the said station; everything went on pretty fair, at least I could have put up with them, had it not been for what follows:
"I had been about a month on the station when the Lizzie Allan arrived here to load timber, bringing the said Coe as manager of the business on this island. He likewise came to live in the same house with me, having a Chinese steward and Boy with him. Capt. Pease then left and went round the group to trade. This said Coe not using very nice language before Lizzie, and in his absence the Chinese likewise. Lizzie complained about it to me and I thought it best to shift downstairs although I was promised a house to myself at first, I should have put up with this had it not been for a new grievance. Coe, as I supposed, had taken a kind of liking to Lizzie and frequently used to come downstairs where I was living. I suspected him but did not think he would dare to go as far as he did. [Here details are given of an attempted assault.] We had a quarrel and almost came to blows and the end of it all was I left the employ and ever since then I have made shift for myself. I have got an order for the time I served in the Company in Shanghai but I hope I shall not have to go there for it as a vessel, the Lizzie Allan, is over due. An agent is expected by her to pay all claims on the company. No money being here to pay anybody--he will bring it with him. As the payment of non-fulfilment of agreement is due to me ($500) I shall claim the same and if I cannot get it here I shall go to Shanghai and sue the Company, for without that I shall be as bad off as the day I landed on the Bonins. The manager is aware of my intentions and seems to be sure of me being able to claim damages, for he has been trying to bribe me with good promises, to build a house for me, never to speak to Lizzie again and such-like offers.
"Capt. Pease has returned from the Group and did pretty well, by what means is hard to say. Susan is well but not contented for Capt. Pease carries two native women beside her on board of his vessel. Capt. Pease left for the Group again and took Charlie with him this time. Charlie not being very well he will be back in two months from now. Lizzie and I are rubbing along, living on what is to be got for trade from the natives, such as Pigs, Yams, Arrowroot, bananas and Bread fruit. We are quite well but sick and tired of this place, but hope to be back to the Bonins in from three to eight months' time from now. I have not forgot your "tortoise shell" and shall bring it along with me when I return. Lancaster has been sent back to Shanghai but may come back again, still I doubt it much. Poor Agnes! She ought to be thankful. I think you have nearly all the news I have got so Goodbye to you your wife and family and all the rest of kind friends. I hope I see you all very soon and in as good health as it is at present.
"Yours
"GUSTAVE AND LIZZIE BROWN.
"Please tell my brother[2] that I am quite well and coming back. Likewise tell all my friends that I am coming back again and quite well and wish them the same.
"Yours truly,
"LIZZIE BROWN."
Letter from PHILIP RODEL[3] to NATHANIEL SAVORY.
“GUAM,
"Feb. 23rd, 1871.
"MR. SAVORY.
"DEAR SIR,
"I arrived here safe and sound on the 9th of this month and got a freight from Teinnan N---- the Frenchman, that Pease bought the schooner of, arrived here on the 13th. and is now in prison, Gustave and four more, Capt. Mallman among them. Capt. Pease tried to bully all hands but found it no go. He has cancelled the agreement with the Wanderer. He wanted me to clear out with the vessel but I would not do it. He also wanted me to claim all the property and sell it so as to let him have the money but I would not anything of the kind for I have found out that he is a very bad man and a confirmed liar. He has been trying to sell my oil to Captain Taylor saying it belongs to him. Now he says that I am a partner in his villanny. There is a charge of murder against him and it would make your hair stand on end to hear the frenshman relate of the treatment he got on board of the schooner coming from Wallis Island to Strong's Island. Besides that he made by force to sell him $964 [or $164, hardly decipherable] worth of oil and gave him an order on his agent at Mille [Manila?] where he had none at all. We have all got to go and witness to Manilla. He even claimed my rifle that I had not paid. Captain Shearmen has got a bill of $1800 against him, Gustave of $650, the Cooper $700. There are all so a man of war looking for him English and American. August [?] is a thief, Ackerman is a very good man and I shall do all I can to get him back to the island. The Governor told me that he had orders to stop him [i.e. Pease] two years ago if he should come here. I must say I have never seen a man with such a cheek as he has. When anybody comes to see him he begins to cry, trying to get simpathy and when you turn your back he trys to accuse you of some villanny with him. He has sent for me 3 times but I would not go. He told some of the people that I had a large sum of money belonging to him in my possession. God knows that I had not one sent. When I left Bonin Island after the Government stopt the Wanderer he had the cheek to order the Captain get under wheigh tefying the governor's order. I hope that he has not got anything out of you before he left. Nothing that he has got belongs to him at Arakee [?] not even that whale boat that sunk, whaling spades Boxes, Coats, Cloaks, Copper iron all belonged to the frenshman a man about 57 years old. When the man tried to get on board the brig at Pinglass he threatened to shoot him. I leave this letter with Henry to send for there is no vessel here at present except the schooner Wanderer and I do not know 1swhether she will go there or not. I saw John and whould have brought with me if I should have come back again. Millinchamp says that he expended all his money with his mother in law Marria's sister.
"Now for the oil and my bed if I am not at Bonnin Islands inside of six months open the papers and follow these instructions, all so receve my Bed from Susan and give it to Jane, all so the Wash Baisin, for it will take me over a year to get there and i might just as well go home. i whould have send you some Arrow root but there is no opportunity to do so. Do not deliver up the oil to anyboty whatever. I could have got the tarrow patch if i could have gone back as Millinchamp promised it to me. He sends his best repex to you and says he is very sorry you should think hard of him.
"Aileen is here. Capt. Bird left here last August for Sambangs. He has got harry on board but has not been heard from.
"Johnson is a very bad man because Bird has not been heard. The reason that have to go is to recover my wages from Capt. Pease. The crew have all with drawn there claim as they had had only 18 dollars share. Capt. Pease has got the tarrow patch for one year only and he got that by frawth. Mr. Savory that man is a villian of the first water. Jack is going to live on the island with him, the Cooper is going all so. I do not think that I shall come back any more. The Government here is a very bad Government. Endeed I have thrown myself on the Government entirely so they will have to take care of me. The frenshman has got his vessel back again. You will be sure to receve my Bed from Susan as i only left it in her care until i came back again. Give everything to Jane and Agnes for she wants the Wash Baisin and I promised it to her before. I hope you are all well and hearty all so Isabella, my repex to Horace and Agnes for I have not forgot her yet,
"I bid you all good by,
"Your Truly,
"PHILIP RODEL."
From PHILIP RODEL to NATHANIEL SAVORY.
"SAN FRANCISCO,
"Sep. 28th, 1871.
"MR. SAVORY.
"DEAR SIR,
"I take the pleasure in writing these few lines to you that you may know that i am well hoping that you are the same all so your family. i arrived here on the 1st of June from Mannilla after very near losing my life on S. Peter's rock a few hundred miles from Peel's Island. Capt. Pease was send to Shanghai to stand his trial and i thought it whould go very hard with him but I have heard since that he is clear and that the Cooper is dead. I have seen Coffin's brother. frank told me that he whould rite to me but he never dit. i was in jail in Manilla but Mr. Looving the Counshul knew that i was in the Eagle with Capt. Bird. Mr. Savory beware of Pease if he should ever come on the island again for he means you harm of which I am sure of. I have been very lucky in getting work i was only four days here befor i shipt in the Bark Architect at $40 per month. i have been in her 3 months and now i am going home in the Rail Road. My fatheri s alive yet and wishes to see me once more. all that I got from Capt. Pease was his sextant, he is a thorough villian and it whould take a quire of paper to state everything that man has done. Times are very good here at Present but in the winder they are bad enough. i hope you are in good health all so Marria and Agnes. Mr. Savory, I wish that she was here with me now. I think i should be satisfied. i hope little Isabella is well all so Jane and the boys. Tell Horace not to kill all the turtle i may come and get some some of these days for i Realy think that i shall see your family again. If it was not for going East i should to go the island next spring in the Whalers. The climate is very rough here, all ways foggy on the coast and awful hard work stowing lumber and so much lumber. There is not a day but what there is 5 or 6 large vessel loads comes in to frisco, some carrying as high as 1000000 feet of lumber. I have been to trips one to Puget Sound and one to Humbold it is impossible to describe it, the amount of wood there is cut up--trees 10 to 19 feet through from 200 to 300 feet in length.
Capt. has lost his schooner. She was to be sold at Manilla. i got from him the same day that i left Manilla from the Consullate i am very sorry for that--Capt. Marsh is in San Francisco for his health. Capt. Nye is gone home and has given up whaling i have been very highly recommended to a particular friend of his Mr.Hare the owner of the vessel that I whent (in) to Manilla (with) Capt. Green. I think that he will call at Bonnin Islands in about 4 months. He told Mr. Hare that I was the only man fit to go mate of his vessel. and i think if i stop here or come this way again i can get charge of a Brig the Advance to go trating. No later than yesterday he told me that (is) if I wished to go, i should very much like to have a letter from you if you whould only be so kind and send one. If you do, direct to Philip Rodel 408 East 11th Street or 291 Washington Street New York City. No more at present i shall rite again when i get home. Give my repex to Agnes i hope she is well.
"Yours truly,
"PHILIP RODEL."
Letter from CAPTAIN PEASE to NATHANIEL SAVORY.
PORT LLOYD,
"Oct. 18, 1871.
"To N. SAVORY.
"SIR,
"Understanding that you are about to sell a lot of oil delivered to you by my late partner Philip Rodel--I now protest against disposing of the same as I claim that it belongs to the late firm of Pease and Rodel of which I am now the sole representative.
"I shall refer the whole matter to the United States Court at Yokohama for their decision as to the ownership.
"I remain,
“Yours Resply
"BENJ. PEASE."
Letter from CAPT. PEASE to NATHANIEL SAVORY (written on two sheets of very thin paper and much smudged).
"Sunday Evening (blot) 72.
"N. P. SAVORY.
"SIR,
"Last night your two sons in company with some of the South Island Kanaekas were on and about my premises and from what I can ascertain I am led to believe they are guilty of killing one of my sheep, which was found dead near the spot where they were seen to land. It was either clubbed or stoned as I have made a careful examination and find no other wounds but which must be caused by such weapons. If it proved that your son has been in part or wholly guiltyof the act I shall believe that other persons have been the instigators of his folly--I am well aware of the growing rancour against me of more than one member of your family and if they espouse the quarrels of their father they must not feel they are free from the evils of a defeat. I believe that in all my meetings with your children they have met with the utmost respect from me--and I can gnow of no reasons why they should transgress against me.
"I remain,
"Yours respectfully,
"BENJAMIN PEASE."
From the same.
“Schooner Tom at PORT LLOYD,
"Aug. 23rd, 1873.
"To N. P. SAVORY.
"I have just been notified by C. (Captain ?) of Cressey that you had refused to pay for goods sold you by the Bonnin Company giving you your reasons for not paying that I was indebted to you--which I deny and here state that you are owing me. Which I shall soon collect and also settle an old account long standing between myself and your family. I was in hopes that the old wounds so long healing would have been left alone but as you have seen fit to tear them open you must be prepared to suffer from them. Your refusal to pay that bill and your reasons for not doing so I consider as open Chalange which I readily accept and let the bitter end come as soon as it likes.
“B. PEASE.”
A Statement without a date made by ROBERT SOLOMON.
"MR. SAVORY.
"DEAR SIR,
"You asked me to put in writing a few of the sayings of Capt. Pease. You will find a few of them below. What I put down I take my oath I heard him say. He was over at George Bravo one day and when he came back he told me George had given him a drink of brandy which had poison in it, and he believed he tried to poison. When he got a schooner he was going to entice the men of every ship that came here (especially whalers) to run away so that the people on the island would be dependent on him for supplies. Also he was going to shoot or injure one Capt. Cogan when he saw him.. He also spoke of Capt. Tripp's wife as a woman that Tripp picked up off the streets of Honolulu. Also he was trying and was going to try all he could to make the people of this Island quarrel among themselves so that they would come to him to settle their disputes. Also that if you did not let him alone and quit talking about him he was going to the cove and hang you to your door post, another time he was going to put you in irons and send you to Yokohama by the first ship that passed. He said he laided in ambush in the break wind at Tom Kanaka to shoot you one time when you and your family was going over to killed Big Mary, so he says.These are a very few of the saying of Governor Pease. I thank you very much for the kindness you have shewed me while I lived on the Island. My regards to your family.
"I remain respt.
"ROBT. SOLOMON."
Copy of a letter to NATHANIEL SAVORY from CAPT. NYE.
“SAN FRANCISCO,
"Dec. 25, 1873.
"FRIEND N. SAVORY and all my Friends at Bonin Islands.
"I have just sent my ship home around Cape Horn and I shall take a Ride off 35 Hundred miles on the Railroad in a few days. I have been two seasons in the Arctic Ocean in Bark Louisa and have gots 1700 lbs. in 14 months and 22000 lbs. of whale bone. I dont think I shall go to sea much more but if I do I want to come and see you all at the Bonin Islands. I do like the Bonin Islands very much and I like all the people.
"I should like to hear from you all and I want to get a letter from you or some one to post me up about what has been going on since I was there.
"Mr. Model was drownded about 18 months ago. He was mate of a Brig and was knocked overboard by the Boom. Mr. Nye that was mate with me in the Helen Snow is dead. He was Ceady for one year before he died. Mr. Taboe (?) mate of the Higail is keeping a store in New Bedford. Mr. Maekes died very suddenly with heart disease on his way home from the Sandwich Islands. Mr. Parminter married a young halt white girl at Honolulu about two years ago--my old Cooper--Tripp is now at Guam and is married to a Spanish woman of easy nature (?) with the children. He has turned doctor I hear. Where is Capt. Pease and where is Capt. Bird. Capt. William Allen that frightened Mr. Webb so is at home. he is rich. Mr. Wardell is married and is living at Falleina (?) Mass: I hear Agnes has two children. I send my respects to Mr. Bravo and to George, to Charlie and his wife, to Mr. Webb and family, to Uncle Collins and ‘Aunt Bet' and to every one on the Bonin Islands that I know or that knows me. I send this letter by an old friend Mr. Fiske (or ` Fisher '). He is Naturalist on board U.S. Steamer-and, any favor you can do him will be appreciated by him and myself. Hoping this will find you all in Health and Prosperity.
"I remain your sincere friend and well wisher,
"EBENEZER F. NYE.
"To NATHANIEL SAVORY, ESQ.,
"Bonin Islands."