On the fourth day of the run, after those charming incidents of sea-life—sky overhead and water all around—we were abreast of the island of Oo, which the severe gale encountered in July, 1853, on our return from our first visit to Japan, prevented an examination of, that the correctness of a harbor laid down on a French chart, might be ascertained. The ships laid off for three hours, during which time Lieutenants Maury and Webb went ashore, taking with them bags of pork and bread. The people on shore at first appeared quite alarmed at their approach. Their dress was the same as those of the Loo-Chooans. Some fowls and potatoes were obtained from them by giving them some pork and bread in exchange; they refused money. It is supposed that we are the first Christian people that ever had communication with these people; rather an absurd supposition, considering the charts and surveys that have been made in those seas by other nations, before we had either the opportunity or desire to know anything about them. The next day, off the Great Loo-Choo island, the Southampton was cast off, and proceeded to Hong Kong. That afternoon we saw quite a large ship ahead. She was coming down before the wind with studding-sails set. It was thought desirable to speak her, having had no mail intelligence since March, in the bay of Yedo. Our colors were hoisted, and the commodore directed a forward-gun to be fired, to attract attention. The stranger, however, without appearing to notice it, changed his course and then changed it again, declining to raise his ensign, and keeping his nation to himself. Another gun was fired, still no colors did he show. By this time the two steamers having come up with him he lay to, and hoisted English colors. Upon sending a boat to know what he meant by such conduct, it appeared that he feared meeting the Russian squadron in that vicinity, and took us for Russian steamers, and even after seeing the American ensign, thought it might be designed to entrap him. The captain expressed regret for the detention he had occasioned, and by newspapers from him we had the first intelligence of England and France having united in hostilities for the sultan. The ship was the Great Britain, from Shanghae, with a valuable cargo of teas and silks, for London. She would have proved a precious prize for Pontiatine.