The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-07-24
IMPORTANT FROM THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

IMPORTANT FROM THE SOCIETY ISLANDS
The Providence Journal publishes letters from a
spondent at Tahiti, which dIscloses singular
state Of things To Judge from the tenor Of these
letters and the facts given, it is not impossible that
rupture may take place, which viii involve the peace
Of Europe. At any rate accounts from the Pacific
will be looked for with much anxiety. IL is known
that the French have taken possession OF the Society
Islands, and established a government there. The
first letter, dated on the 10Th Of February says:
The Government has gone regularly TIL within
the last ten days, since which have had no hing
but rumors of war; and have an idea that we shall
have serious disturbance here, if the tranquility of
Europe is not disturbed by il for you must know
that about twelve days ago we had arrival here of
II. b Nj ship Talbot, Capt. Sir Thomas Thompson,
direct from England, and Of the Boussoe, French
rigate.
Sir Thomas brought letters from the English Gov
eminent TO Queen Pomare, and she was on the ar
rival Of the frgate, Morea, he sent boat for her
TO come over as she never had been at Tahiti since
the French had got pc session and hoisjed their pro.
tectorate flag. But on the receipt OF Sir Thomass
letter she came across in state with the old Tahiti
Gag flying in her barge. She pulled directly on
board the frigate without landing and they manned
the yards and ran the old flag of Tahiti to the fore
and saluied with twenty guns, they also did
her departure
This annoyed the French greatly, so much so that
they issued protest against the proceedings Of the
commander of II. y. VI ship Ia bot in hosting and
sautng the old Tahiti flag, thereby disturbing the
peace and tranquility Of the place and acting directly
hostile 10 France Sir Thomas then requested the
Queen TO call a meeting Of all the inhabitants on tn
island, to know whether it was their wish tina, the
French should hold possession and govern the island
The meeting took place yesterday in the Queens en-
closure, and II was attended by about 10 900
When called upon to speak, they all agreed to a
man IN not wishing the French 20 remain on the
island, and they all wished the Queen to allow them
to go and pull down the protcctorate flag but she
would not allow il Last night, however, the nag
was hauled down, and the signal halyards were cut
away. be captain of the Boussoe threatened to fire
upon the place II the flag does not go up again. and
The captain Of the English frgate has threatened to
hro on The ffenchman the moment shot is fired up
on the town.
As the tenor Of the English letter TO Pomare was
that England would protect her against any foreign
power that should encroach upon her dominions and
both frgatcs at present lie all ready for battle aud
as the Queen and most OF the natives have fed TO a
distant part o. the island, there Is no knowing how
Tins ALTAR VIII end though | trust the Frcnchman
and the E1gshman will fight it out, as they IRE equal
ly matched. ] care not ohich wins
Tahiti, March 2ih lSi3.-In my former !, tier To
you, informed you Of the manner IN which we were
situated here with the French and English and have
now 10 inform you that the business wears a more So
rious aspect than ever; for on the 10Th OF =, month
Com. Nicholas arrived here in II. u. NJ shin y,n,,c.
tive, Of ~ guns bringing presents TO this Queen from
queen victoria, and having heard Of the manner in
which The French had gained possession OF the island
Immediately made known, in public meeting of Inc
natives his intention OF lying here and protectire,
them against the cncroachments Of the French, at ali
hazards
The next day, being the third day of his arr;v Al
here he unbent sails and warped the shin abreast the
queens sidenco, where she is still lying. We
have also tGo French sloops Of war here that have
heen lying here for the last two months doing moth
ing but watch the proceedings Of the English Com