A Cruise on the Constitution: Around the World on Old Ironsides 1844-1847

A Cruise on the Constitution: Around the World on Old Ironsides 1844-1847, was written by Benjamin F. Stevens, who was the Captain's Clerk for the around the world trip. It was published in New York in 1904. (81 pages)Very interesting account of the around the world cruise of "Old Ironsides".

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Excerpts:

.....The next morning (17th) at sunrise, Fayal presented a beautiful appearance indeed. The sun reflecting upon the white roofs of the houses, caused them to sparkle like silver, and my time till breakfast was passed in examining with the minutest attention the boats, houses, churches, etc., so entirely different from those in the United States.
.....At 7 o'clock we received a visit from the vice-consul, Frederick Dabney, Esq., who welcomed us, and invited the officers generally to make his mansion their home during our stay. Mr. Wise and family at his request went on shore and passed the four days with his family, and were extremely well pleased. As American ships of war rarely visit Fayal, on account of the calms which prevail, we at once became objects of great curiosity. The Constitution was the first frigate (American) that had visited the island, and perhaps this circumstance operated favorably with the inhabitants. In the afternoon a party of the younger officers (including myself) went on shore and passed a very agreeable time. The streets are very narrow, and the houses nearly of the same size; all are made of the same material, viz., lava, of which the island consists. The convents and churches are the only variations offered in the way of architecture. A visit to the consul's house and gardens will repay any one desirous of seeing to what extent the cultivation of the tropical plants and flowers is carried in the Western islands. The climate is very salubrious and vegetation flourishes all the year.
.....These islands (Western) belong to Portugal, and the governors and other high functionaries are sent from that country and manage to retain their offices so long as peace and quiet reign there. Labor is very cheap and can always be obtained for 16 cents per day, and it seems to be a principle with the government to keep the poorer classes where they are, and not to spread the light of religion or education amongst them. A system similar to the old feudal is carried on here. The rich always have their dependents hanging about, and allow them certain lands, the proceeds of which are to be paid over to the lord. The condition of the laboring class by this means is not much higher than that of the old English or Russian serf of the present day.

.....On the morning of the 27th, therefore, we stood out to sea with the land breeze. The morning of the 30th we boarded an English ship from Singapore (May 15) for Hong Kong. On board of her was a French priest who informed us that the French squadron was at Singapore— that M. Lefevre's imprisonment was known, and that the French admiral intended (after receiving orders from home) to proceed to Touron Bay to effect his liberation.
.....At noon of the 5th of June we put a letter bag on board the American ship Rainbow for New York, and in the afternoon anchored in the outer roads of Macao.
.....At the time that the Constitution was engaged in saving the life of the apostolic vicar of Cochin China, since taken possession of by France, Louis Philippe reigned over that nation with the title of king of the French, and he never thought that he should be driven from his government. But he was, escaping over the walls of the Tuileries gardens and under the name of Mr. Smith he landed safely in England, where he died. Previous to his escape from Europe he wrote or caused to be written through the French minister that the captain, officers and crew of the Constitution were to be rewarded by the government of France for saving the life of the Bishop Lefevre^ but Louis Philippe took a hurried journey from his capital and no recognition of their services was ever received by the American tars......