The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a letter from the Surgeon of the ship Ann and Hope, of Providence, dated Whampoa, (China) December 17, 1798.

"I wrote you (via London) from Port-Jackson, in New-Holland, and gave a circumstantial account of the voyage, till our arrival there. I will add, that after beating several days off Port-Jackson, and finding it in vain to contend with adverse winds and a strong current, we fell to leeward, and ran into Botany-Bay, 'that southern realm and land of rogues,' where we anchored October 21. Next day, Messrs. Snow, Thompson, Page, jun. and myself, went to Sydney, a British settlement about 9 miles distant, where we waited on Governor Hunter, and were politely received. After tarrying two days, we returned to the ship, accompanied by some of the first characters at Sydney, who dined on board. On the 25th, having completed our wooding and watering, we again put to sea.

"On the 6th of November, off New-Georgia, spoke the ship Jenny, Capt. R. Brown, from Boston, formerly of New-York, bound for Canton. He informed us, that, agreeable to his orders, he had touched at the island of New-Amsterdam, and taken off a number of the crew of a Boston sloop, that had been wrecked there; the rest of the crew preferred remaining on the island. On the 30th of Nov. at half past 4, P. M. we made the island of Tinian, 7 leagues distant. Next day came to anchor in the road, and the Captain, with 25 men, went on shore. As we lay at anchor, we discovered by means of a glass two flags flying on Lord Anson's beach, and a man walking backward and forward seemingly in great agitation. When the pinnace drew near the shore, he hailed her, and enquired what countrymen we were. Being told, he was questioned in turn. He replied, that he was an unfortunate Lascar, cast away there in the brig Bramin, from Macao, Capt. Swain, formerly of Providence, (R. I.) When the Captain got on shore, the Lascar prostrated himself at his feet, in the oriental manner. He informed us that he was the only human being on the island, and begged to be taken on board, and delivered from death. The scene was affecting. Capt. Page consoled him, by assuring him that he should return in the ship to Macao, where he would find vessels bound for Bengal, and be restored to his friends. He is about 25 years of age, had been the serang or head of the gang, (a term answering to boatswain with us) and is a man of talents. He converses in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Malay, besides his own language. He says that the brig was originally commanded by Capt. M'Clellen, an Irishman, who died at Lew Chew; that the mate, whose name was Swain, succeeded to the command; that they arrived at Tinian about 18 months since, and preserving no order, the Captain and his mates being ashore, and the people on board intoxicated, she parted her cables in the monsoon at night, and struck on a reef, where she went to pieces. The people were all saved except one, and part of the cargo was likewise preserved. The crew lived some months in huts -- after which the whites were taken off by a vessel bound to the north-west coast. The Lascars, 9 or 10 in number, remained till the arrival of a Spanish vessel, when they were confined in irons, and all carried off except this unfortunate man, who escaped into the woods. When the Spaniards had sailed; he returned to the huts, but found them plundered of every thing that had been saved from the wreck. He had spent his time in solitude and tears till our arrival,

"Tinian abounds with fruit, such as oranges, limes, guavoes, the bread fruit, cherries, plumbs, beans, cocoa nut, tree cabbage, &c. cotton and indigo, are also in great plenty; large white cattle are numerous, and hogs and fowls abundant. We saw the ruins of some pyramidical pillars mentioned by Lord Anson, but none of the pillars are standing. The beautiful island, even in its present uncultivated state, appears to be one of the finest and most desirable ports on earth We remained there about 12 hours, got a supply of vegetables, and then took our departure. It is about 12 miles in length, 6 in breadth, and lies in lat. 15 N. long. 146 E."