The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-09-20
MOST HORRIBLE CANNIBALISM
IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Tasmanian Journal published in
Hobart TOWN. Of the 2lst January last,
Contains narrative ofsome truly terrific
scenes, related to the editor of that paper
by highly respectable and intelligent
eyewitness, Capt. Briggs. About the
middle of last year, Capt Briggs arrived
in the Dragon, at New Zealand, and
found that great deal of animosity ex-
listed between two savage tribes, one of
which was commanded by chief called
the Marinewie, and the other by two
chiefs called the Robulloh, and the Hecho.
On Capt. Briggs arrival, the two latter
chieftains "endeavored "says the Tas-
manian JournaO to induce him to ac-
company them in an expedition which
they had been for some time preparing
against the Marinewie. Capt. Briggs
however, peremptorily refused to be as
sociated in the horrid enterprise. Not
so the commander of another British ves-
sci, which happened just then to arrive
upon trading voyage. She was fine
brig of 300 tons, whose name, and that
the commander, we forbear, for the
present, to insert. The two chiefs a.
greed with this person, that his ship
should convey them and their people to
the country of the Marinewie, where the
war was carried on to utter extermina-
ton. On the ODD October of the last
year, the expedition sailed there was a
fine fleet of war canoes, and two chiefs,
with about one hundred picked warriors,
on board the English brig. Capt. Briggs
remained at an anchorage, procuring by
the usual means ofbarter, "a cargo for his
vessel. On the llth of November, the
expedition returned, having been entirely
successful. The Marinewie having been
taken by surprise, his whole people de-
stroyed, except such MS fled into the in
terror, beyond the reach Of pursuit, and
himself, his wife, and his daughter, a
beautiful girl of l5, taken prisoners.
The Captain Of the English vessel stated
that, on their arrival at Banks Harbor,
the Hecho aud RobuIloh had caused all
their people to conceal themselves below;
that the Marinewie sent Immediately on
board to negotiate for trading, which he
OF course supposed was the object of the
Engliehman's arrival. The trade COM
menced, and the Marinowie, not suspect
ing the fate which awaited him, wen,
himself on board. After he had been
seated in the cabin short time, the He.
cho aud Robulloh jumped upon him.
from their place of concealment, as die
their people upon all those who had at
tended him on board, and, scizing him by
the hair, explained to him his situation
"Tbc scene which followed is toe
dreadful to describe. During the night
the Robuloh, the Hccho, and their mel
landed from the ship, and having sue
cecded IN capturing the wife aud daugh
ter Of the Marinewic, they sent them ol
board, and work Of death cnsued, ut
terly unspeakablc or indescribable, fo
the horrible cruelties which were perpe
trated. The whole population of tn
place who did not escape were killed, ex
cept about fifty, reserved to be take
back to be sacrificed at the bloody fcas
oftriumph which awaited their return
AT day light in the morning, the victor
were actively employed in cutting up an'
preparing for the steam kettle, tho dea,
bodies of the slaughtered victims Of tl
night. The crew Of the vessel describe,
the horrors which they witnessed as ever
thing dreadful. The whole Of the dn
was occupied in sailing and packing i
baskets heads aud bodies 10 be conveye
back. Amongst the victims was fin
young woman, who was cut open, he
head and part other body salted, and III
remainder, in the presence ofthc captain
officers, and the whole crew of the Britis
ship, given to the pigs, chieA. Mey then
sefres feed on!
"On tic iI,l November in The morn