The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY-3, 1845,,

I has propagated itself insensibly, without, I imagine, its
beir ui derstooti
were made, would there be any security for the coite.),
when the whale population could rise in arms at the first
signal ? Different expeditions have taken place re-
cently ; the first had for object to dislodge the enemy
from a mountain in which they were said to have in-
trenched themselves. But the natives, who are not yet
excellent soldiers, came down to attack us on the plain,
covered, it is true, by thick bushes, fur such is their in-
variable practice. After an engagement of three hours,
they gave way, and we saw no more of them. In the
meantime, and in an opposite direction, a nocturnal
coup de main was attempted against the insurgents b)
the commandant of the Urania ; but, instead of sur-
prising them, he was himself surprised, and this little
success had so emboldened the insurgents, that, on the
following day, they showed themselves close to Papeete.
A column of troops was sent against them. They re-
tirpd, but immediately after our troops had left they
recommenced their demonstrations, and even me-
naco us with an attack on a fixed day ; but
it did not take place. We are, however, continually
on the qui rive, and are actively at work on the for-
tifications. We desire nothing better than an attack, to
spare us the necessity of going after the natives in their
mountains and ravines ; but the poor colonists are not
of that way of thinking, for their wooden houses, covered
with thatch, would run great risk of being burnt down.
Fire, in fact, has played a great part in this war ; the
natives have too frequently recourse to it. The captain
of the Uranie had• contracted -for some supplies with a
colonist who had a property at some distance from Pa-
peete, but who bad not hands enough to cultivate it.
Our sailors performed the labour, and received two-
thirds of the produce. The property has just been
ravaged and the house burnt down. Our missionaries have
also been victims. Their residence, which was a perfect
palace for this country, has experienced the same fate, and
everything indicates that the mischief will not stop here.
We must not; however, despair. The presence in our
roads of the English steamer Salamander will, without
doubt, change the nature of events, the captain observing
an opposite line of conduct to'that of his predecessors.
Far from seconding the insurgents, he has written to
them to state the true position of England as regards
France, and has threatened to join with us if they should
attack Papeete. The step is, probably, only the prelude j
of an entirely new policy on the part of the representa-
tives of England at Otaheite."
The letter concludes with a strong eulogium upon
the climate and vegetation of Otaheite; but the writer
observes that the French are unable to enjoy them
from the want of peace, and the deficiency of labourers
to cultivate the soil.

The Oceanie gives the following account of the
burning of the missionary residence :
" At the moment when the steamer was entering the
harbour a very thick smoke arose behind the cocoa-nut
trees beyond the camp of the Uranie. It was the house
of the French missionaries, which the natives had set fire
to. The next morning the chapel also was burnt to the
ground. The missionaries have lost everything. The
holy vessels and all the objects used in Divine worship
were pillaged by the natives, or destroyed by the flames.
It is fortunate that the missionaries had left their house
in time."