The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-23

Tor their end an opposition to the establishment of
peace; And whereas the island of Raiatea has been
the theatre of yiolences committed under the eyes
of Queen Pomare against the natives, who, in ac /.
cepting the flag Of the Protectoraes have fulfilled
duty, since this flag only made to take the place
of that of Tahiti, which was formerly hoisted heres
And whereas some Of the inhabitants Of Raiaica,
under the orders of Teriitara have repaired to Flu
Anime for the purpose of tearing down the flag that
place:
Therefore, with the knowledge and consent of the
Council of Government, we have decreed, and do
decree, as follows:
The island Of Raiaiea is declared to be in state Of
blockade. The laws and regulations applicable to
such state will be applied to every ship or vessel
which shall attempt to violate this blockade.
PAPiErE, 18th April, l845.
Extract Of letter to the Secretary from Commodore
Forhaii.a, Parker, dated
"U S. FRIoArE BRANpYwlsE,
4'VALrARAIso, May 26, 1845.
II have the honor to report my arrival at this
port from Tahiti, in passage Of 80 days--oficers
and crew in usual good health. Everything in
relation to the squadron goes on well, and great har
mony PREVAILS I
the enclosed report from Capt McKeever will make
you acquainted with his movements since leaving
China. Captain Nick. was placed in a delicate
position at New Zealand; but his conduct there is
perfectly satisfactory to me, and | am il will
meet with the appreciation of the department. The
neutral and judicious course he pursued, and his
conciliatory and friendly intercourse with the ma
tives, will ensure to our numerous whale ships
visiting that island continued friendly reception"
Extract Of letter from Capt .McKeeper, ofthe U S.
ship ST. Louis, to Commodore Parker, cf Valparaiso,
.May II, l645
"In obedience to your orders to me Of the ID No.
Shop
9h and arrived at Manila on the l4,h; whence
sailing again the 2lst, we reached Batavia on the
llth of the following month. Here regretted to
find that the Dutch colonial system of monopoly
had confined the carrying trade of Java almost ex-
clusive'y to their own vessels, though evidently to
the injury of the general commerce of the island.
Our countrymen, however, occasionally succeed
in procuring part Of cargo here, filing up at Ma
nila and the otherports ofthe China sea.
"Therc being nothing, save of social nature, to
dealn US at Batavia, we left on the 18TH and after
boisterous passage Of six weeks, finding myself
of Hobart Town, determined to avail myself Of the
spirit of your instructions, and visit the place. We
anchored off the town the LIST Of February being
the first American man-of-war ever in this or any
other harbor of Van Demans Land. The usual conri-
estes were freely extended to us; and having taken
on board Mr.. Mott, as supernumerary, Ia farmer
of Vermont, and one Of the unfortunate Americans
transported to Van Dieman's Land during the Ca
madam difficulties of 1897 and who had Just received
pardon from the Queen,) sailed on the 9Th for
Sydney, and arrived on the night of the llth Of
February. During our stay here, the civity and
attentions extended to us were peculiarly gratifying.
On the 23d, we left for the Bay of Islands
cit is of interest to our whalers to know that all
port charges against whaling ships have been abol-
shed at Sydney was likewise informed by the
governor, that removal of the port-charges at Ho
bart Town would shortly occur. The proximity
of both these harbors to the great whaling grounds
of tha aoutheru Pacific. with tho nh pdanr and
moderate price Of provisions. render these places Of
particular interest to our whalers. t8t
tOn the Sd of March, we anchored at tho Bay Of
Islands. Here / found affairs in very disturbed
and critical state, open hostlities having just COM
menced between the natives, under their celebrated
chief Hcki, and the English authorities at Koro-
rareka, a town of five hundred inhabitants. Her
Britannia Majcsty's sloop-of-war Hazard was lying
off the town to protect il, and flagstaff erected
aneighboring HILL which had been cut down several
times by Heki. anchored the st. Louis above
the town, and opposite place called the Wahapo,
lishment, and whose buildings at this time contain
ed some $4,000 worth Of property owned in the
United States. E5
ain these difficulties between the English on the
one hand, and the nave-born of the soil on the
other, determined to pursue a course of impartial
neutrality, and at the time TO evince, practical
ly, my anxiety TO prevent the usual barbarity Of
savage warfare. To this end / succeeded in obtain
ing an interview with the chief Helri, and making
him understand the course intended to pursue.
obtained from him pledge that he would infct no
injury upon women or children, upon the missionary
establishments at the Bay, nor upon the American
property at the Wahapo--a pledge which he faith
fully kept.
at was reported to me that Heki was making inn
proper use Of an American flag, which by some
means he had obtained possession of and, having
seen it flying shortly after in one of his war canoes
as he passed the ship, proceeded Shore and OBJ
tanning another interview with him, inquired his OBJ
ject in displaying the flag of the United States he
informed me that he had done so purely in compli-
ment to the ship, and in token of friendship to all
Americans. After explaining to him the nature Of
national flag, and that my country being at peace
with England, he must not hoist it, as none but
Americans were entitled to its protection, he desst-
cd from using il.
''On the 18th Of March, at daylight, the natives
eigning general attack upon the town, carried the
nal station, and cut down the flagstaff. AT meri-
dian, TO add to the misortunes Of the day, the depot
Of powder belonging the inhabitants, by accident
blew up, killing and wounding many. The town
was now hastily abandoned, and, in the course Of
that and the following day, sacked and destroyed,
with the exception Of the churches and mission
houses. Our boats, during the morning of the &C
ton, were actively engaged in bringing of the
wounded and the women and children TO the vessels
in the harbor The commander Of the Hazard was
MORALLY wounded; and believe; in all, fifteen or
sixteen Europeans were killed in the conflict, and
about the same number wounded. The loss on the
part Of the natives is supposed to be greater.
"a request having come from the Hazard for the
medical officers Of the ship to assist in dressing the
wounded, they promptly repaired on board; and, To
carry out my neutral views, upon similar request
from, the camp OF Heki, they directed to pro-
coed on shore the following day, and offer the same
services, which were as kindly received.
"Feelng called upon to afford all the aid in my
power to the housecss nbtsnts, at once offered
a passage to Auckland (the seat OF government Of
New Zealand) to as many as might wish to 60. Ac-
cordingly, on the 18th, about $50 persons--men,