The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-15 00:00:00

BRUAT.
NO. 3.—CAPTAIN I3RITAT TO ADMIRAL DE MACKAU.
Papeiti, March 13, 1844.
Monsieur le Ministre,—Since my report of the 27th of
February, of which I forwarded you a duplicate, by way
of the Sandwich, I have joined Captain Henry, who had
failed in the negotiations he had opened with the unsub-
missive Indians.
Wishing not to divide our forces too much, I have de-
stroyed the fort which Captain Meesin had erected, and
which became useless. Piloted by Captain Henry, the
Phaeton towed the Embuseade to the port on the east of
the isthmus, and which I have called Port Phaeton, be-
cause she is the first ship who has anchored there—Fe-
bruary 29. at tour o'clock in the afternoon.
I immediately landed the troops, in order to cut down
the trees and lay the country open. lat the same time
took possession of 49 canoes, which had just been aban-
doned. The next day, while making the road, I took
possession of the house said to be the Queen's, at about
2,000 metres from the shore. Before night our troops
were bivouacked, and I had one cannon on the isthmus,
the evacuation of which had been produced by our troops
without firing a shot.
Although various reports had stated the number of the
insurgents to be 2,000 men, which I do not believe, and
that oar soldiers Jailora together did not amount to
more than about 200 men, no attack has been made, and
when I left Taravau, the 6th of March, at night, I had
established a fortification, with a ditch, from which, I
think, the Indians cannot expel us. A blockhouse is
constructing there, and as soon as the fort is finished I
shall withdraw a part of the troops. Sixty men will be
sufficient to guard it, but a vessel must be left in Port
Phaeton. I think that this port renders the communica-
tion complete between the eastern part and the north,
and thus becomes the military key of the whole operation
we are desirous of attempting, or which may be attempted
against us.
Notwithstanding the rain which has continued to
assail us, and which has in like manner prevailed at Pa-
peiti, the ardour of our soldiers and sailors has not for
an instant abated. I took advantage of my stay for
going over the whole of the northern part of Tairabou
in my boat, and I ascertained that Captain Henry had
rightly advised me.
The chiefs of Tautira (the western part of Tairabou)
came to me in that district, and in that of Papara. Many
Indians have returned to their homei.
Although the intrenchments of the post at Taravau
were not finished, it was necessary, in consequence of the
importance of the facts communicated to me in the let-
ters of the commandant, that I should return t-) Papeiti.
The Phaeton, on board of which I was, went to tho
eastward. It is in the part nearest to the isthmus that
there is the greatest number of rebels; they appeared
to me to be less numerous than reported. I think the
presence of the steamer will have produced a good
effect.

Having arrived on the 7th, I, in fact, found that Pa-
peiti had the appearance of a besieged town. I imme-
diately had the French property, which had been put on
board the ships, landed. Notwithstanding the smallness
of our number, fire is the enemy we have most to fear.
I proceeded next to Point Venus ; the English mis-
sionary, Mr. Orsmond, seconded me well. Ho had al-
ready induced the people to reply by a refusal to the in •
surgents' emissaries. There, again, I had to upset the
same intrigues—the same tales. The people and the
chiefs recognised my authority, and recommended to all
those who had fled from Papeiti to return. Many fol-
lowed their advice. Thus, the number of the insurgents
decreases every day, and confidence revives on all sides,
and the great chiefs of the country, who all have re-
mained faithful to us, assure me that with patience they
will all return to their homes.
Under such circumstances, Mr. Pritchard was cer-
tainly a dangerous man, swaying the party opposed to
us ; had I deemed it proper to release him, this would
have produced the worst consequences. Ido not think
that a government under circumstances such as a state
of siege can tolerate the intrigues of a private resident,
who seeks to cloak his manmuvres under the title of
consul of a country to which he has not even attempted
to get, although he had the time and means. Mr.
Pritchard, who had been placed in a blockhouse, was on
my return, and by my order, transferred on board the
Meurthe, where he receives food from the captain's table.
He speaks in praise of the attentions shown him. The
captain of the Cormorant had no mission to Otaheite ;
it was proper I should summon him to leave the Society
Islands ; he has seen the propriety of so doing ; he con-
sents to take on board Mr. Pritchard, but I shall
deliver him to him only if he engages not to land Mr.
Pritchard on any of the islands of this archipelago.
In case he refuses to make this engagement, I shall
send Mr. Pritchard to one of the Friendly Islands by
the goelette St. Kilda, which late events have compelled
me to purchase.
As to myself, Monsieur le Ministre, all my efforts
shall tend towards not disturbing the good relations
which exist between the two Governments, and which
are so necessary for the peace of the world. My situa-
tion is surrounded by many difficulties, but I trust
that in time and with patience I shall bring things to
a good end.
The seizure of Mr. Pritchard is thus narrated by
M. D'Aubigny

U. D'AUBIGNY TO M. BRUAT.
Paveiti, March 4, 1844.
Monsieur le Gouverneur,-1 esterday, on leaving
mass, I had the honour of writing to you that all was
quiet, and I further sent you a messenger, bearing a com-
munication from Mr. Moerenhout. He must have been
with you an hour or two since. After he left matters
took a turn, of which I must immediately apprise you.
Yesterday morning, at eleven o'clock, I was informed
by a note from Mr. Cuillevin, that a sentinel of the camp
of the Urania had baea attacked and thrown down in
the night.
This is the fact :—A sailor was on duty on the mole.
At about half-past ten an individual worked himself
close up to him, and gave him a blow with his fist on the
head, which brought him to the ground. When falling,
the sailor called for help ; the individual caught hold of
the musket, which the sailor strove to retain. During
this struggle men from the post came to the assistance of
their comrade. The individual, on seeing them coming,
armed himself with the bayonet, of which he had at last
got possession. Closely pursued, he and his pursuers
entered his hut nearly at the same time; he was arrested,
and is now in my hands, and would have been forthwith
tried by a council of war had I had the power. The
bayonet has not been found.
Struck at this audacious act, convinced that all our
strength resides in the effect of moral superiority, which
it is important we should not lose among the Indians,
and convinced that the best way of bringing matters to
an end with them was to take possession of the director
and instigator of their agitation, I resolved on having