Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-25
TDe constitutional gaabie.
Interesting Documents rediire 10 che Fate IF La Pc
rouse Gad his Crew.
From the Madras Government Gazette of October IL

From the Madras Government Gazette, of October IL.
CALCUTTA, Sept %.
We have subjoued very interesting narrative taken
from the Iurkaru of the particulars of the fate of La
perouse aud bis companions, asceltaned by Captain
Dillon, who we may be allowed to observe, has dis
played the occasion degree of research enterprise
aud humanity, highly credtable TO him; and which, il
is hoped, will lead to further knowledge respecting
the islands in the South Seas.-{ndia Gazette.
FATE OF La PEROUSE.
We have been fayoured W ith the following detailed
narrative of the particulars of La Perouse and his
Gomrades, as they ascera med by Captain Dillon
an his recent voyage among the South Sea Islands,
The details, we think extremely curious and inter-
esting but what we insert is merely extract from
memorial laid before Government by Captain Dillon
that immediate steps may be taken TO bring the survi
vors off, as there is every to suppose there
some still IN existence. We have also in possession
accurate descriptions of the habits aud customs OF the
Tucopans, some of which, we believe, hive never been
known before: we shall submit them our readers
probably tomorrow, rs there many which have
connection with the statement Of the I4ascar.
The subjoned are the facts relative 10 La Perouse
In Capt. .Dillon's own words:
In September, 1918, was an officer in the Bengal
ship Hunter, Captain Robson, a voyage from Cal
Cutta to New South Wales, the Feejee Tor more cor
rcctly, the Bethee) Islands, and Canton.
While lying at the Feejces, discovered that seye,
raj Europeans were living the Islands: had
been shpw recked deserters and discharged
from various vessels which had touched the islands
prior TO our arrival We employed these in the
ships boats, in collecting deche de mar, sandal wood
aud the other productions the island Unfortunately
misunderstanding arose between the natives of
town called William the sandal wood coast, and an
ARRAY occurred on the 18th of September, in which all
the Europeans were killed, except SELF man named
Martin Buchert, native of Staten in Prussia, who
had been the island, and of the ships company
William Wilson. beg 10 refer you for the particulars
of the fight, and the means by which escaped, to
the Calcutta Government Gazette of the Oil, of Feb
ruary, 1917. Martin Bucheri, and Lascar named
Choulia, whom also found on the island took refuge
board the Hunter and they certainly would have
been sacrificed they landed again, they begged Cap
tain Robson TO give them passage the first land be
fell in with in the prosecution of his voyage TO Canton
This he agreed to and performed.
We sailed from the Feeees on the 10Th or Septem.
ber and on the Goth made land, which proved be the
Island of Tucopia in lat. -, Is South and East long
1885, this Island is called the BaIwe! Island in the
charts, but Tucopa by alternatives The ship Bar,ceH
passed it in 1893 The Prussfan and the Lascar with
his wife, Feejee woman, whom he had brought with
him, requested to be landed this Island; thev were
left accordingly, and we proceeded on voyage.
On the 18Th of May, 1926, in command OF my own
SHIP the st. Pdrich, bound from Valparaiso TO Pom
dcherry, came sight of the Island Tucopis.-
Prompted by curiosity, as well regard for old
companion in danger, hove my ship to off Tucopia,
with the hope of asceraining whether the persons left
there in 1918 were still alive. Shortly put off
from land aud came alongside; in it the I4ascar.
Immediately after another off with Martin
Buchert, the Prussian. They were both IL sound
health, and were exceedingly rejoiced TO me.
They informed me that the natives treated them kindly
that they lived very comfortably among them; that no
ship had touched there, from the time they Grst
landed until about twelyemonth previous my arri-
val, when an English whaler visited the Island for a
short time, and little after another whaier touched
there. The Lascar had an old silver sword guard,
which be sold for few fishing hooks TO Of my
people. enquired of the Prussian where il had come
from. He told me, that on his first arrival the Is
land lie in the possession of the natives, this sword
guard, several chain plates belonging ship ALSO
number OF iron bolts, nve axes, the handle OF silver
fork, few Knives tea cups glass beads and bottles,
silver spoon with a crest and cypber, and sword,
all of French manufacture lie further stated that
he became sufficiently acquainted with The
language, he asked the natives how they obtained
those articles they said that the Hunter was the first
ship they ever had any communication WITH They
replied that about two days. sail in their Canoes
ieeward, there was large group OF islands, under the
general name OF hlacoio TO which they fre-
quently in the habit of making voyages and that they
obtained these articles from the inhabitants of the
Maiicoio Islands, who had number Of similar articles
in their possession Upon examining the sword guard
Ininutely discovered, think discovered, the mi
tals of Perouse stamped upon il, which excited my
suspicion, and made exact 10 my enquiries.
them by means of Buchert and the Lascar questioned
Of the islanders respecting the way in which their
neighbours procured the silver and iron articles They
then told me that the natives of Sfacolo stated that
iaany years ago, two large ships arrived their Is
lands anchored at the Island of Whanoo, and the
other al the Island of Paow, little distance from each
other. Some time after they anchored, and before
trey had any communication with the natives n heavy
gale arose, and both vessels driven ashore. The
ship that was anchored of Wbanoo grounded upon the
rocks. The natives in crowds TO the sea side
sF'aed win clhos spears, aud bows aud arrows, and
shot some into the ship, and the return
Cred the guns aud musketry on them and killed
several The vessel continued 10 beat violently against
he rocks and shortly went to pieces some Of the crew
srok TO their boats bat driven on shore where
tney we're to man murdered on landing by the inuri-
aed Datves others trew themselves into the sea- but
they reached the land it ouy to share the fate
Of their wretched comrades, that uo single soul
escaped out OF this vessel The ship which grounded
on PaiOw driven a sandy beach, and The natives
came down and also shot their her; bet the
crew prudenty did not resent the aggression but held
mp axes, beads and other toys peace offerings upon
which The assailaus desisted from hosu,ies As soon
the who'd moderated, aged chief put of in canoe
10 the ship. lie received with caresses, and pre-.
seats offered him, which he accepted. lie went on
shore, pacided his countrymer, and assured them that
the people In the ship good and friendly upon
which several Of the natives came board and were
all presented with toys. They supplied the crew
with yams, fowls, bananas, cocoa outs, hogs, &C. and
confidence established between them. The crew