Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1810-10-08
From the Boston Gazette.
Messrs. RUSSELL & Cutler,

THE account of the destruction Of the
English ship Boyl, and the murder Of her
crew, by the inhabitants of New Zealand,
will perhaps occasion much anxiety to the
friends OF our seamen, who may be navgat-
ing the waters of Austral Asia. 1t is in my
power, l think, 10 remove any uneasiness
that may be excited by that melancholy e.
vent, by relating the cause, which, proba-
bly,, produced it. The New Zealanders
are not cannibals from mere brutal appetite.
They devour the earcases Of their enemies
slain in battle, = zchiie get 7oarm - but me-
yer eat human flesh as an ordinary or desir-
able Wand. In the unfortunate instance
which lately occurred, the English were un-
doubtedly considered as toes.
In the spring of the year 1909, Actocke, a
daughter of the king OF New L; aland, with
her husband, native Of Scotland, arrived
in Calcutta. l had frequent opportunities
of conversing with these persons, and from
them received the information, which
shall, with your permission, now commu-
nicate to the public.
Robert Bruce, in the year 1898, went to
Botany Bay, Oh board a transport in the
capacity OF cabin boy. Soon alter his ar
rival, the king Of New Zealand paid a visit
to Port Jackson. On his return in the
ship to which Bruce belonged, he was very
sick. Daring his illness, Bruce was his
Consistent attendant, and he in great mea.
sure owed his recovery TO the solicitude and
fidelity OF theydang ajventurer He per
suadsd Bruce 10 quit The ship and remain
in the island, comforting on him the Office
Of commander OF his troops, and investing
him with the highest order Of nobility -
The badge of this distinction Bruce will
carry with him TO his grave. His face is
tattowed all over in most curious manner.
The king himself condrscendcd to operate
on his new subjects visagc, and when he
had rendered him beautiful in the eyes of a
New Zealand belle, he gave him his favor.
ile daughter in marriage. In performing
the work of tattowing, the king was assist
ed by the most dgnihed Of his counselors
and sagcs. They were employed upwads
OF two months in decorating the hard coun-
tenance of the young sailor, according to a
pattern supplied by the taste and ingenuity
OF his intended t'idr.
Bruce and his wife lived in peace and
Happiness for number of years. H. was
able and willing to assist such strangers as
occasionally visited New L a|and, and took
pleasure in procuring sucn supplies for them
as the islands afforded. At length capt.
Dalrymple put into port where Bruce
was then resic.ing; bu: as tn: kind Of wo1d
which was wanted, abouuded in another
place at considerable distance, he kindly
offered to go with Dalrymple and shew
him the spot where he could purchase what
he needed, not only in abundance, but Of
the best qu.,li,y. To crafty lis wife with
voyage on board Iarg- ship, Bruce took
her with him. After being furnished with
the articles required, Dairy mPlr put to sea,
reacherously carrying his guests from their
home aud Notwithstanding their tears and
circumstances, aud B,uce's warnings Of Inc
inevitable effects Of his conduct, on the fist
Enplishmcn who should visit NcwZeaaud,
the barbarian PERSISTED in his shameful de-
sign. After being al sea few days, Dali
rympe fell in with another snip, on board
of which he put Bruce, under pretence that
he had attempted to excite mutiny among
his crew. He then Proceeded to Palo Pc
nang, where, after the most cruel and a
busive treatment, he sold Actocke to
settler, for fifty dollars. The princess IN
dienant a, such conduct, a;w to the 60
vernon of the Island, and, as SHE had lean
ed enough of the English Language fl ON
her husband 10 converse with Considerable
fluency, made known the circumstances in
which she was placed, and claimed his pro-
lection. Colonel Macalster, the governor,
paid the price OF her purchase,