The Charlotte Journal

Interesting Letter

United States' Ship "Dale,"
Philadelphia, 18th October, 1843.

Editor "Standard," Raleigh.

Dear Sir: We have just arrived here, from a three years' cruise to the Pacific ocean. We came direct from Valparaiso, from whence we took our departure 1st of August. The officers and crew are generally in good health, and have fortunately enjoyed an exemption from any prevalent disease during the entire three years.

For 18 or 19 months past, the "Dale" has been almost constantly at sea, cruising between Cape Horn and Upper California. She has visited the Ports of Valparaiso, and Coquimbo, in Chile; Callao, Arica, Tumbez, Islay, Santa, Lambayeque, and Payta, in Peru: Puna, and Guayaquil, in the Equator; Panama, and Taboga, in New Grenada; Mazatlan, and Guaymas, in Mexico: Monterey, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego, in Upper California: and Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil;—every where keeping a vigilant eye on American commerce and American interests, affording protection to the weak, an asylum to the wanderer, and aid and assistance to the distressed of our countrymen, who, by their misfortunes or their wayward propensities, may have been cast "adrift" on inhospitable shores. During the three years, we have traversed the ocean for about sixty thousand miles.

The Frigate "United States," the flag ship of Com. Jones, sailed from the Bay of Lima, in Peru, about the 20th of June, bound to the Sandwich Islands, where she would probably be joined by the Sloop of War "Cyane," Commander Stribbling, from the coast of California. This movement of Com. Jones is presumed to have been induced by the sudden departure from Valparaiso of the English Admiral Thomas, in the Razee Dublin, for the same destination, on his receiving intelligence of the extraordinary seizure of those Islands, and the deposition of their King, by Capt. Lord Geo. Paulett, in the British Frigate Carysford.

Commodore Dallas, the new commander of the Pacific Squadron, had not reached Lima at our last advices from there.

Com. Claxton's remains have been bro't home in the Dale. It will be recollected that he died on board his flag-ship, the Frigate "Constitution," while at Talcahuano in Chile, in March, 1841. On the occurrence of this melancholy event, Capt. Turner immediately proceeded with the Frigate to Valparaiso, where the corpse was interred in the Protestant Cemetery. On application of the widow of the deceased, the Secretary of the Navy sent out instructions, authorizing any of our homeward bound vessels of war to convey the remains to the U. States. The Commander of the Dale, using the discretion thus vested in him, determined to give effect to the benevolent intentions of the Department in this respect; and caused the remains of the late Commodore to be exhumed just previously to our departure, to be suitably inclosed, conveyed on board of the ship, and brought home, subject to the disposal of the family and friends of the deceased.

Two French frigates were in the Port of Valparaiso when we sailed, with 700 or 800 troops on board, destined to garrison and colonize the Marquesas and other Islands in the Pacific, of which the French have taken possession.

Chile is a prosperous and promising country. In its social and political condition,—in the arts, in agriculture, in commerce, and in all the improvements of the age,—this Republic is some fifty years ahead of the other Spanish American States. There is more of stability and permanence in its Government; the rulers are guided by a more enlightened policy, and the representative body appear to be actuated by more enlarged and liberal feelings, than in any other of these countries. The National Congress, in session at Santiago, was proceeding with dignity and deliberation, in discussing and perfecting measures for reforming the laws, giving stability to the institutions, and fostering, by salutary enactments, the various branches of industry in the Republic. In fine, Chile is in the "full tide of successful experiment," as a free, independent and happy State.

Valparaiso is the most thriving and business-like Town on the entire Pacific coast, from Cape Horn to California. There are already nearly 40,000 souls in the city, and the population is fast increasing. The Harbor was full of shipping; which gives existence to a large amount of business in the place. Pedro D. Valdez, formerly a Lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, is "Captain of the Port." He is nearly allied to some of the most considerable families in Chile; is a gentleman of liberal and expanded views, and manifests a public spirit and an enterprize in advance of most of his countrymen. He is urbane in his manners, uniformly courteous to strangers, and especially attentive to Americans, having been educated in our country, and been many years an officer of our navy.

Peru is still in a deplorable condition,—a prey to civil war, and the victim of a desolating anarchy. Vivanco was "Jefe Supremo," at our last advices; but he attained the elevation, as had most of his predecessors, by the most barefaced usurpation. La Fuente, as I understand the matter, received a plurality of the electoral votes; but Vivanco, who had also received some votes, (at Arequipa principally,) raised the "grito" of foul play, &c., and drummed up partizans sufficient to enable him to march into the City of Lima, and take possession of the Government. La Fuente was in Chile at our departure thence, doubtless watching a reflux in the "tide of affairs" of his country. What "piece" is next to be enacted in the political drama of that afflicted country, it would puzzle the most astute political sooth-sayer to foretell.

P. W.

Officers of the "Dale."—Thos. A. Dornin, Esq. Commander; Jno. M. Berrien, Dominick Lynch, Tho. M. Brasher, Lieutenants: N. C. Barrabino, Surgeon: Philip White, Purser; Jno. L. Worden, Act'g. Master; John Thornly, Asst. Surgeon: Samuel P. Carter, Colville Terrett, Wm H. Smith, Lewis Beard, W. F. Davidson, L. M. Mason, Robert Patton, Henry C. Hunter, Midshipmen.