_Beyroot, September 12, 1836._
We have had a very pleasant visit at this place from the American
squadron, consisting of the Constitution, the United States, and
the John Adams, under the command of Commodore Elliott. The general
regret was, that its stay was so short--less than one week. It is
seldom that vessels of war, except those of Mohammed Ali, visit
this place. The English, although they keep a large force in the
Mediterranean, have not sent one ship of war to this coast for
several years, and the last one sent was of a very small size. The
Delaware, under Commodore Patterson, was here two years ago, and
made a very good impression of American character and power. At
that time the stay was longer, and I was told by a gentleman of the
place, who had the best opportunity of knowing, that he supposed
about forty thousand persons visited the ship during Commodore
Patterson's visit. A very large number visited the vessels during
the few days that they remained here under Commodore Elliott.
I was on board the Constitution on the Sabbath, and present at
public worship. Several from Beyroot attended, and it was pleasing
to see full attendance of officers and men, and the perfect quiet
and respectful attention which the crew exhibited. The youngest
child of the American consul had not been baptized, and he expressed
a wish to have it baptized on board the Constitution, and by the
chaplain of that vessel. This was done at his request, and the child
named _Washington_; and thus, as was pleasantly remarked to him,
he has now a good _constitutional_ child. In the afternoon, the
Commodore and some of his officers attended worship on shore at the
consul's, where service is regularly performed, usually by one of
the American missionaries, or some other preacher of the gospel who
may be present.
The commanders and officers deserve great credit for the readiness
they manifest to satisfy the natural but almost troublesome
curiosity of the many who go off to see the vessels. It is really
no little trouble to be employed from morning to night, and that
from day to day, in receiving company after company--it may be
having three or four companies on board at the same time--taking
them through the ship, and showing and explaining to them whatever
excites their notice. It is not to be wondered at, that in the
public vessels of most of the European powers, this privilege is
allowed but to a few. The American commanders have, very wisely, I
think, adopted the plan of indulging and gratifying the curiosity of
the people, although at the expense of trouble to themselves. The
American flag is not much known as yet in these seas; the nation is
not much known.
Of the few Americans scattered around these shores, a considerable
portion are the missionaries and their helpers, who are labouring
to dispel the darkness that rests on these countries; to impart
correct knowledge of religion and morals; to break the chains
which gross superstition has here laid on the human mind, and to
promote all kinds of useful knowledge and improvement. Most of
these missionaries are regularly educated men, and all of them of
good repute as to morals and religion. From the peculiar state
of superstition and bigotry in these countries--from a watchful
jealousy of a corrupt and dominant priesthood, it must be expected
that a jealousy will be felt towards missionaries, and efforts made
to counteract their labours to do good. The occasional visits of
the American squadron to those quarters where these benevolent
men are labouring, the pleasant and profitable intercourse which
the officers may have with the missionaries, and those among whom
they labour, has a most kindly influence. So far as I have had an
opportunity of learning, and my opportunities have extended to most
of the mission stations, the visits of these public vessels have
been most grateful to the missionaries. The commandants, and many
of the officers, have manifested so much good will to missionaries
as individuals, and such interest in the success of their efforts
to improve the moral and religious condition of these countries, as
encouraged them in their work, and is not without its good effect on
those among whom they are labouring.