The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-02-24

message from the natives on shore,
through our interpreters, together wittl
al the articles taken from the deceased,
begging for peace; but as desired 10
make The lesson as effective as possible,
refused until they had begged PARDON
and sued for mercy. after the Frjee Gus
tom. | so informed them, and landed
with our force to await their coming for
this purpose. Soon after, about fifty OF
their principal men approached us in the
most supplica,ing manner, upon their
hands and knees, begging pardon, and
suing for mercy; at the same time giving
us the most positive assurance OF their
future good conduct towards the whites.
upon which it was granted; with the fur
,her condition of their supplying US with
wood, water, and fruit, on the succeed.
ing day. After which, | liberated chief
who had been captured the preceding day,
receiving many promises from him never
again 10 permit our countrymen to be mo-
lested.
Aa,ter myself the whole affair has ser'
minated not only in suitably avenging the
death of the officers, but inficting an ex'
emplary punishment, tempered with mer-
cy, and due regard to its beneficial ef-
fects. upon the whole group of the Fejees,
by convincing them that their treacherous
acts will not 60 unpunished; and have
reason to believe it has had its beneficial
effect upon the natives of the group.
1t is difficult for me to surmise the cause
which led to this melancholy catastrophe,
as no satisfactory one could be obtained
from the natives who survived. 1t may
have originated from desire on their
part to obtain the few articles of traffic
which Lieutenant Underwood had. The
attack commenced, as is their custom,
upon the officers. The escape Of the
hostage at the moment, is to be regretted,
and renders it possible that the attack was
somewhat premedi,a.ed by the natives,
encouraged in part by the over confidence
of the party, that no attack or treachery
would be attempted upon so large force.
1t is source Of much satisfaction that
the bodies of the deceased were go
,,ortunity afforded Of paying them every
mark of respect, in their interment up0u
an island Of small Group, %%,,iich had not
..hisn been named. therefore called the
former "Henry's island," and the latter
"UnderaOood's Group" as testimonial
Of our regard for the deceased.
In bearing testimony to the valuable
services, zeal, and abilities evinced al all
times by these officers, | have in, common
with all, to lament deeply the loss, which
not only their relatives and friends, but
the country and the Expedition has sus-
tanned in their decease.
take leave to express my satisfaction
Of the activity and zeal displayed by Lieu
tenant Commandant Ringgold, the officers
and the crews Of the Porpoise, Flying
Fish, and three boats from this ship of
the Peacock, who were engaged in the at
tack; alsa of ,hair-strict observance of the
orders to protect the women and children
from harm.
Shortly after my arrival in the Fejee
group, | was convinced that the natives
were not to be trusted under any circun.
stances, and required that all belonging to
the expedition should be armed when visi-
ting the shore.
/ also issued an order on the second
day after my arrival applicable to all en-
gagged in boat duty among the islands, an
extract of which is annexed; and am
confident that strict attention to this or
der during the three months we have been
SO arduously engaged in surveying all
parts of this extensive group. has prevent
ed the occurrence Of many other serious
accidents.
have the honor 10 be, Sir,
Very respectfully, your obedient ser.
vanh
CHARLES WILKS,
Commanding Exploring Expedition.
To the Hon. JAMES X. PAuLDINe,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington.