The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-07 00:00:00

THE FRENCH IN AFRICA.

The RIGHT Hort. BARONET, in answer to a question from
Viscount Ebrington, respecting the conduct of the French on
the coast of Africa and the Gaboon River, said that a me-
morial had been received by her Majesty's Government on
the subject, which had been referred to the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs; but he did not feel at liberty to go fur-
ther into the matter at present.
Lord PALMERSTON complained of the policy of the
Government in giving way to other countries on several oc-
casions. They had begun by a great concession to the
United States, which they had been told would produce the
best effects and the most permanent good-will on the part
of the Americans, and would perpetuate harmony and good
understanding between the two Governments of England and
America. What had been the result ? Why, after the
cession of a great part of the disputed territory, other'ques-
LlOll5 IN Wu vas Lb., #b right of visit,
and ether subjects of serious moment were raised. The
Government had also, in deference to the French
Government, counselled the Regent of Spain to
submit to great indignities and attacks upon his
authority in the case of Salvandi and M. Lesseps at 'Bar-
celona, the consequence of which was that the Spaniards,
seeing that the Regency was not supported by the moral aid
of the English Government, the Regent fell, and important
English interests were sacrificed. The Noble Lord then pro-
ceeded to contend that that policy which sought temporary
peace at the sacrifice of the rights of the country must tend to
difficulties of a more micas nature than those which it was
intended to put an end to.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.")
The Government appeared to be shaping its policy not for
the interest of the country, but for the purpose of ascertain-
ing how far things done by them might bear upon the in-
terests of the government of foreign countries. Such policy
might be founded on good intentions; but any system of
purchasing momentary tranquility at the sacrifice of future
interests could not work out the advantage of the country
that should adopt it. With regard to the treatment of Mr.
Pritchard by the French, he thought the right of sovereignty
could not justify it.—(Hear, hear.) When it was said he was
not the consul of this country, that was a statement totally
without foundation. What, he would .ask, made a man a
consul ? A commission from his Sovereign, and that commis-
sion Mr. Pritchard held at Otaheite ; and when the Govern-
ment of the island was arbitrarily deposed by a foreign
Power, Mr. Pritchard, though he refused to interfere,, still
was consul, and the treatment he had received was most
unjustifiable. •
Sir R. PEEL denied that the present Government had
made any concessions that were injurious to this country or
its honour. He thought, and had always done so, that the
policy of the Government ought not to be the maintenance
of any foreign Government. The leading principle of a
British Administration was to support British interests and
British honour. Nothing was so inconsistent as making com-
promises to any Government. The invariable result of such
proceedings would be no satisfaction, but fresh demands on
the part of other countries. The Noble Lord had began by
adverting to the Boundary question. Had he done anything,
he would ask, to settle that question? Certainly not. The
present Government undertook to de so, and they had accom-
plished their task in so efficient a manner, that the thanks of
the House had been given to Lord Ashburton, who
had so ably effected so desirable an arrangement.
The resolution was carried with the concurrence of many of
the Noble Lord's friends. The Noble Lord the Member for
the City of London had also distinctly stated that he did not
blame the Government for the course which they had pur-
sued with regard to France. He was not surprised that the
Noble Lord was smarting under a sense of the indignity Which
had been offered to him. Then again, with respect to Texas,
nothing could be more . unjust than to attempt to
make her Majesty's Government responsible for the
course pursued by the United States towards Texas. As re-
garded Algiers, the Noble Lord had himself acquiesced in its
occupation by the French, provided they did not attempt to
extend their power on the side of Tunis or Morocco. Con-
siderations of wise policy had induced him not to demand
the evacuation of Algiers. With respect to Spain, he did
not apprehend that Espartero entertained the same
opinion as the Noble Lord. But if Espartero had the
hold upon Spain which he supposed, how did it come
to pass that no effort had been made by any party in Spain
to restore him to his position. It was easy for the Noble
Lord to say that he fell in consequence of advice given him
by the Government. He believed his fall was attributable
to the notion that he was a firm friend of the British Go-
vernment, and was receiving support from it. He
perfectly admitted that the Government had not acted
in every respect on the principles of the Noble Lord ; but, as
regarded every object of importance to this country, he con-
tended that there never was a period when the name and
honour of the British Government stood higher than they
did at that moment.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON explained. -
Mr. FORSTER could not but express his regret at the
unsatisfactory nature of the answer given by the Government
to the question of the Noble Lord. If the French were
allowed to proceed in this course on the coast of Africa, this
country would not have an inch of ground left except that
which was occupied by its forts. The Gaboon River had
been a very important station for British trade.
Sir R. PEEL said he had stated that the Gaboon River
was not within several hundred miles of any part of the Bri-
tish territory.
Captain PECHELL wished to call the attention of the
Right Hon. Baronet to the fishery question. They were at
present uninformed what steps the French Government had
taken to carry out the views of the convention. He hoped
the Right Hon. Baronet would have no objection to state
what was the present state of French legislation in reference
to the articles of the convention.

--
Sir R. PEEL was not able to give any precise information
on that subject. _ _

On the order of the day for reading the report on the
Roman Catholic Penal Acts Repeal Bill,
Col. VERNER said he had to complain of the precipi-
tancy_ with which this measure had been hurried through
the House. A measure of such importance ought not to
have been brought forward only three or four days before the
termination of the session, and in the absence of the Hon.
Member for the University of Oxford.
Mr. MACAULAY said—Would any Gentleman get up
and say that there was a single enactment repealed by this
Bill which was not a disgrace to a civilised and Christian
country ?—(Hear, bear.) if any Gentleman would rise up
and affirm that, there might be some force in the Hon. Mem-
ber's objection.—(Hear, hear.) He was quite satisfied from
his personal knowledge of the Hon. Member for the Univer-
sity of Oxford, that he would not have opposed this Bill.
Colonel VERNER said his objection applied to the period
at which the Bill had been introduced.
Mr. SPOONER complained that he had been misrepre-
sented in what he had said with respect to a petition against
this Bill. He appealed to the House whether he had treated
the petition, as had been stated, with disrespect or levity. •
Sir R. PEEL could bear testimony to the fact, that the
Hon. Member had not treated the petition with levity, though
he had the manliness to say that, after learning the object
of the Bill, he felt bound to give it his support. The
object of the Bill was to remove what was an in-
cumbrance to the statute-book.—(Hear, hear.) There
could be no danger in passing it, because the laws repealed
were not, and could not be put in force.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. HAWES hoped that the Government would, in the
next session, proceed still further in this course.
Mr. MONOKTON IeHLNES was sure the Right Hon. Ba-

ronet would find full co operation in that House in any mea-
sure of that kind which he might introduce.—(Hear, hear.)
Every day there was growing up in the country amongst
men who thought on these matters, a strong feeling that the
Church of England could not receive legitimate, fair, or just
support from measures of a similar character to those which
were now being. abolished.—(Cheers.)
Colonel VERNER said he was afraid he had been misun-
derstood. He had not said one word in opposition to the
enactments of the Bill.
After a few words from Mr. HAraiir and Mr. Wyss the re-
port was received, and the Bill was ordered to be read a-thhtl
time at Three o'clock to-morrow.
[LEFT SITTING.]

LATER INTELLIGENCE FROM
OTAHEITE.

SKIRMISH BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND Na'

TIVES.
The Favourite, South Sea whaler, lately arrived, brings news
fourteen days later from Otaheite. A skirmish had taken
place between the French and the natives. By means of a tele-
graphic communication which the, French have already esta-
blished in the Island, orders were conveyed a day or two be-
fore the Favourite left to one of the French steam-frigates'
then lying in the Bay of Papeete, to embark troops and pro'
ceed to Tairapu, forty miles distant, and situated• at the
ether side of the island of Otaheite. At,the time of starting
she had 150 soldiers on board. This order is supposed to have
been caused by an outbreak, the particulars of which, as far
as could be gained, are as follows :
A number of the natives who now live in encampments up
the mountains since they have been expelled the town, Were
seated taking a quiet meal, when some Frenchmen came upoa,
one party, consisting of two chiefs and their wives, and seize...,
hold of the women, whom • they attempted to drag on
board their boat, then lying moored on the beach a slier
distance off. The chiefs resisted this aggression, and were
immediately shot. A third chief then rose up and ex-
claimed, "What, are we dogs, that we are treated thus ?
We are a quiet people, and wish for peace, but you will net
let us have it." AV hereupon the French fired at him, buts
missing their aim, he gave the signal to the natives for
onset. At the first charge 15 Frenchmen were either kill
or wounded, and a second attack almost immediately takinei
place, between 30 and 40 more of their number were kill
or disabled by the Otaheitians. Soon after this transaction
had taken place, it livsee reported that many of the French
had deserted, saying they had only been brought out to
be
shot at. The men generidly doe not seem at all content
for they appear half-starved and are badly clothed. The re,
gulation that no one is' tie be allowed out after eight o'clock at
night is strictly enforced against the natives and foreigner*
but the French themselves seem to pay little or no attention
to this order.
Just as the Favourite was getting under weigh the crew
saw the French steam-frigate return from Tairapu, but the
wind being favourable for their passage, and they having
been delayed a long time, they did not put back to learn
whether any more fighting had taken place.
When the Favourite left, a French whaler, commanded bl
an American, had been detained twelve days at Otaheite,
and was still there waiting for dispatches for the French Go'
vernment. The Favourite brought dispatches to the Govern
ment at home. She had a very quick passage.
The following letters from the island, dated March 29, alr
pear in a French paper, called the Courier de la Gironde.
They were brought by the Reunion, a South Sea whaler:'
" The affairs of Otaheite are getting into a worse and worse
condition every day. The natives are in open opposition e
us, and engagements have taken place at East Point. Tue
island has been in a state of siege ever since the 3d, and the_
natives assembled in the mountains constantly threaten o,le
establishment. A French sentinel was attacked and (IT,
armed by some of them on the night of the 2d, and the W,
of the post having pursued them, one was taken prison
On being interrogated, his declarations compronin
Mr. Pritchard, who was arrested and confined in
blockhouse. The captain of the English steamer after
wards procured his liberty, on giving his word of hollow,:
and engaged himself in writing, not to land hini c!,
any point of the Society Islands. The Charte frigle;
arrived at Papeete, March 16, with a reinforceineed
of a company of infantry for the garrison, now composediv
a company of artillery and three companies of infantry. •1
sanatory state of the troops in the garrison is satisfactorlo
notwithstanding their labours and watchings The eativA
hive with them in the mountains a number of advent
`u
belonging to all nations, and several English convicts, '-0
which the Society Islands are much infested. A deputati'o,
from the islands of Morea and Eimee lately came to the
vernment, protesting the devotedness of the people of the;
countries to the French. These envoys declared that t,t,
were entirely strangers to the disturbances that had bro„,
out, and offered numerous presents to the Governor. 'rtif
Morea is the island on which the French fiagwas most reeee,
hoisted, and is one of the most considerable of the Soe'e,sl
group. Nearly all the property of Queen Pomare is in it.
this step, the Queen yielded to the advice of sel'"„
of her family, who inspired her with doubts as to the .4.,
tentions of the English. As her privy councillor,
Pritchard, was no longer present to excite her to an deer"
getic resistance, sheient a feminine embassy to the Gover),;
to endeavour to make a compromise. M. Bruat would S,
enter into any terms. He intimated that Pomare must e!:,
render at discretion. We do not know whether the Q
will accept this, but it is generally expected, and then t"el,
quillity will be restored—the departure of Pritchard will woo
have produced its fruits. The Gambler Islands, where
apostolic labours of the French missionaries have r,4
crowned with the most happy success, are about to be a oil
to- the French possessions in Oceania. The tri-coleuAy
standard has been raised there, and the people dernan"
garrison of French soldiers. It is intended to send the i 3
ij
company of the 6th Regiment of Marines, as soon as el et
quiet in Otaheite. In the meantime, an English ale°rest
war, stationed at the Sandwich Islands, is seeking a prec! if
to take possession of this group,• the importance of whic!J
very different from that of the Marquesas, the Society,
the Gambier."
The letter of the Emancipation of the same date saYs the
nuatinries nave commericen. The entrenched camp at ots
Bay of Taravau, near Tarabou, was attacked on the 2ter,',,,ei
that day, about two in the afternoon, two shots were 04
from the direction of the hill on which the first advanced
sentinel was posted. Captain Mariani, of the staff, c°1"1,51
dant of the bay, immediately sent out two parties—one of
voltigeurs, commanded by an officer, the other comPne
sailors, under a midshipman—to make reconnoisances in if
ravines that run down the bay. The sailors, having andir
dian for their guide, fell into an ambush, and received ¢4O
charge, which they returned with but little effect, hec:ol
their guns had been loaded for three or four days, and 00
weather being damp, many of them missed fire. The snit,
beat a retreat over the coral rocks and through the br rid
wood, under the fire of the enemy, which killed one man -ept
wounded another. Captain Mariani, hearing the firinge.soe
out an officer and thirty men to cover the retreat ire
sailors. At five o'clock, another attack was made 11101,,e0
same hill, on which ten men were then placed, and to w"oe
a reinforcement of thirty was sent. The moment these eeo
up to the position, the natives decamped. Soon afterwattie
a line of fires extended in a curve round the fort, fronl„of
back of the hill to the Queen's dwelling, showed the
of the assailants. They returned a well-directed diso;"ore
from a double rank. Forty voltigeurs deployed as tirailieetri
and, taking excellent positions, ably seconded the roile,'dot
of the fort. A howitzer, well served, directed its graPe.—ed ;
on the points where the fire seemed to be the best sustalego
and the Embuscade sloop, moored about a quarter of a lea
from the field of battle, threw with success several s'lol
and gradually caused the enemy's fire to cease. It wa.9„or
seven o'clock, and night came on, consequently it was moo
Bible to pursue our fees through the impracticable raviva ,
te)
which they sheltered themselves ; but shots were reP—e„
till after midnight. On receiving the first intelligeeoo
these events, the Governor embarked in the steamer Fhii„"000
and came to the point. Our loss has been two men killed' 1114
carried off by the enemy, and seven wounded. The KO° pe
insurgents cannot be known ; but, on the following den,
dead bodies were found. We reckon that they must
had 50 men put hors de combat."