She hove to about half a mile from us, lowered her boats, and came to us, notwithstanding it blew very fresh. We all got safely on board the ship Hampden, of Hamburg, Capt. A Hansen, from the Bay of Mexico bound to Hamburg. She had horn thrown on her beam-ends in the same hurricane, and were upon the point of cutting away their masts, but by Btaving their water casks, she righted. Capt. Ariansen Btated to us, that they saw something" black, but could not make out what the object was until he saw the smoke. We were on board the Hampden thirty days, during which time we were treated with much kindness, Very respectfully, yours, SAMUEL F. HOLBROOK. H H H-l I— i Pm o o w I will just add here, that on my return to the United States, I made a statement to the Department at Washington, of our rescue and kind treatment hy Capt.
Ariansen. The Secretary of the State immediately ordered an elegant gold chronometer and chain, to he sent to the Consul at Hamburg, to be presented to Capt. Ariansen, also a handsome present to Robert Sloman, Esq., the owner of the ship, for refusing any compensation for our passages. I received the following letters from the Secretary, apprizing me of the present. Department of State, \ Washington, January 17th, 1855. J Samuel F. Holbrook, Esq., No. 44 Purchase street, Boston, Mass. Sir: — Your letter, of the 13th inst. addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury and referred by him to this Department respecting the wreck of the schooner "Sheerwater" of Boston, in which vessel you were a passenger, and acknowledging the kindness extended to you by Captain Ariansen of°the°ship "Hampden," and Mr.
Bromberg the acting United States Consul at Hamburg, has been received. You will perceive, from the enclosed copy of a communication addrea to Mr. Bromberg on the 21st ult., that your suggestion in regard to a recognition of the valuable services of Mr. Sloman and Captain Ariansen has already been anticipated by the Department...,. That part of your letter relating to provision afforded by the United States to destitute seamen, has been referred to the Fifth Auditor. I am, Sir, respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. L. MAKCV. Department of State, 1 Washington, December 21st, 1854. J Samuel Bromberg, Esq., United States Consulate, Hamburg. Sir-— You will receive with this despateh, a bag oontoinino- a crold Chronometer, with a heavy gold chain attar, ed, • ' ^oq'ii which the President of the United States has directed to be presented to I.
I. Ariansen, for his humane and gallant con- \ duct in rescuing from shipwreck the Master, passengers and crew of the schooner " Sheerwater " of Boston; and also five packages, enclosing a copy of " Mitchell's Universal Atlas," and the " National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans/' for presentation to R Sloman, Esq., the owner of the ship " Hampden," as an acknowledgment of his humanity and generosity in refusing compensation for the passage to Hamburg in that vessel of shipwrecked American mariners. The Department has learned that the risk incurred by Captain Ariansen in rescuing these unfortunate persons was very great; the kindness and attention shown to them by him is spoken of in the highest terms of commendation.
You will transmit a note to the Senate of Hamburg, expressing in suitable terms, the high regard which the President entertains for conduct so noble and disinterested, and requests that these presents may be delivered in the name of the United States to the individuals for whom they are intended. I am, Sir, &c, (Signed.) W. L. MAECY. I now take leave for a few days, when I shall resume the narrative, and endeavor to amuse the reader with my journey through Europe to Sebastopol, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and the Carnival at Pome. ^