The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-06-05

From the New York Journal of Commerce.
ANOTHER LESSON TO THE MA
LAY PIRATES.
1t will be seen by the annexed letters,
that the U. States frigate Columbia, and
corvette John Adams, under command of
Commodore Read, have inflicted signal
vengeance upon the Malay towns Qualla
Battoo and Muk Kee, on the Island of Su-
matra, for the connexion they were suppos-
ed to have had with the piracy and murders
committed in their waters on board the A.
merican ship Eclipse, of Salem. Qualla
Ba,too was once before visited by one of
our frigates, the Potomac, and oil her forts
demolished. For this reason, or some 9TH
er, Qualla Battoo, on the presen! occasion,
suffered only moderate nfliction, while
Muk Kee, town about 40 miles distant
was demolished and burnt. No lives were
lost on the American side, and our letters
do not state that any Of the Malays perish
ed. The towns appear to have been de-
serted in anticipation of the attack. The
necessity of such severe measures is to be
regretted; but in dealing with sayages and
pirates, no other mode seems practicable
for the protection of our commerce and the
lives of our citizens. We trust that the Ma
lays will now come to the conclusion that
their own interest requires them to restrain
their cupdity from being exercised upon
defenceless merchantmen which may visi,
their coast. They probably, until the arri-
val Of the Potomac, supposed tliat America
was too remote, or too feeble, TO protect its
commerce in those seas. 1t is to be hoped
that this delusion is now dis.ipatcd, and
that hereafter our seamen and carsoes in
that quarter will find The flag of their coun-
try a never failing protection.
The bombardment Of Qualla Ba!too took
place on The 23d of December, and that of
Muk Kee on the LIST of January.
Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce.
U. S. FRIGATE COLUMBIA,
Har6or Of Singapore, Feb 9Th, 1899.
/ have an an,ipnthy to write document
for newspaper, but promised OCCASION
ally to send you letter, and feel indebted
to do so in view of The pleasure your pa
pers give me, when | ain so fortunate as to
receive them on our winding track over the
oceans of the world. And you will be de-
sirous of knowing what our Squadron has
been doing on the west coast Of Sumalra,
or whether we have done any thing, after
you shall have received intelligence of the
piratical act Of the Malays in the robbery of
another American vessel, and the murder of
her captain and one Of her crew.
ta Lot e. tba Il.
clipse, Capt. Wilkins, WAS originated at
Muk Kee, some 40 miles from Qualla Bat
too (; and part Of the persons who com NIT
ted this murder and robbery, have been pro.
tected by the Rajahs of Muk Kee, and q
great proportion of the property and
money taken to that place. This, there
fore, was deemed the principal offending
place. We learn that the $4,000 was
divided out, and some Of it was received ai
Qualla Battoo and also at Soo-Soo, a place
three or four miles from Qualla Battoo, and
at both of these, according to the acknowl-
cdgements Of the Rajahs in the conversa-
ton held with them, some of the pirates
were residing, on our arrival, on the coast.
The demand for these men having been
made, and compliance being declared to be
impossible as the 'uen had escaped after our
anchorage, (which, however, was deemed
TO be only an excuse TO render their refusal
to comply with the demand an appearance
Of misfortune to them, rather than de-
cision Of their councils,) our ships were run
in nearer to the shore at Qualls Battoo, and
the place cannonsded, with some damage
to the town, or rather to the forts, as they
were the objects at which the shots were di-
rected.
The ships we're then 90, under weigh and
stood for Muk kee, where the demand for
the pirates was made, without the -xpecta-
ton Of the Rajahs of that place pursuing
any course different from the one adopted
by the Rajahs Of Qualla Batioo. The de-
mand was uncomplied with, and the conse-
quences, ms the proper alternative, $50 deem-
ed to be by our Commodore, and believe
quite unanimously the sentiment Of all the
ofiicers,) followed.
The ships were kcdged in, near to the
town and forts--the town being situated OIL
q small peninsula, aud each side os the
psint indenied by the lip Of a beautiful lit
tie bay, with water deep enough for sew
enty -four.
No boa, making her appearance for al
overture. up to the time specified as the linn
its of forbesrance, the Columbia opened her
FIRE spon a neighboring fort, taking the
town as she chose, quite the length Of it,
The first gun Of the Columbia was the sie.
usl for the John Adams, the beautiful cor