The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-02-06
Hossilities With the Comoro I,lander..

oy accouhts JUST come to hand from the
Comoro Islands, II appears that hostile at
tack has been made in that quarter by an
American government vessel. Johanna the
chief island OF that group, has been for some
time place of resort for American whalers.
who, II Is affirmed, have been repeatedIy sub
jected to outrages from the King of the Islands.
In August, 1850, it appears that he seized and
threw into prison, Capt. Moore, Of the baraue
Maria, of New Bedford. We do not remem.
Der the nature of this transaction, but, as we
understand, our Government dispatched the
sloop. Dale, Capt. Pearson, to obtain
redress for the outrage. The king having re-.
fused this, Captain Pearson cannonaded the
town, and brought the king to terms, on the
9th of August last. The following account
of the transaction is from Capt. Cutler, Of the
barque Dolphin, published in the Warren
(R. ~ Star:
Capt. Pearson, after making all inquiries, of
both the English squadron on this station, and
the masters of American ships in the barber,
and also of the English residents here, being
convinced Of the fagrant injustice done to
Capt. Moore and others, at this Island de-
manded of the king $4,000, and required an
immediate answer. After waiting all night
and receiving no answer, he dispatched an
other letter, informing the king that if he did
not give him an answer, at or before IL o'clock,
he should commence hostilities. The king
iCpitCu " tffC idSt OucIllS SCUU III CdSU,
$500 worth of bullocks and trinkets. Capt.
Pearson refused this, and got bis ship under
weigh, and moored her off the town, 100 yards
from the beach, with his broadside to the town.
The king then sent off and offered to pay
$4,000, if he could get it in any way-would
give trnkets, cattle, and cotton cloth to make
up the amount. Capt. Pearson then gave the
king twenty-four hours more to consider of il,
at the same time telling him not TO make any
xln rIt dn,, a. 4
did, he should consider it as breach of faith,
and should commence hostilities. He also
notified the king that if he did not come to
some definite terms. to send the women and
children out OF the place by noon the next day,
he should then commence firing upon them.
AT daylight, the 9th, there were large num-
Der of troops paraded on the shore, and they
sent word to Captain Pearson, that he might
do what he could-they would not pay any
firing snot at the fort. After five shots they
set white flag, Captain Pearson Immediately
ceased firing, and sent Lieut.. Fairfax with a
flag OF truce to inquire what the white flag
was set for, and if they were ready to treat
with him. They answered that they wished
the firing to cease, and said they could not
meet the demand.
They were told to haul down the flag Of
truce, hut they refused to do so. Capt. Pear
ooH, oH icdIHILS tuclT dusWeT, sent announcer
message to them, informing them that if they
did not haul down the flag he should COM
mence firing again with it up. After waiting
a proper length of time, Capt. Pearson again
commenced firing at the fort and blockhouse al
the corner OF the town, but strictly avoiding
firing into the town. After nineteen shots and
shells they set signal on the beach, and Lieut.
Parker was sent with flag Of truce. AT this
time the King offered to pay $1,000 down, give
bond for $4,000, and surrender the town
said he was very sorry he had done wrong
and faithfully promised not to do SO in future
He would give up his houses, his slaves. his
cattle, but that he could only give $1,000 in
money, and 80 head of cattle. Capt, Pearson
wishing to avoid bloOdshed, accepted this Of
fer on condition that the King should make a
treaty with the American government, placing
Americans on an equal footing with the most
favored nations
AT 5 A. NJ, on the 7th, Capt. Pearson hauled
his ship from the town, and everything has
gone on quiet since so far.
Comoro Islands lie in the northern part OF
the Mozambique Channel, between NADIA
gascar and the African coast. Joanna, or Jo-
hanna, the chief island, has population oil
about 5000. The natives are mongrel race,
combining Arabian with African blood. They
have been generally regarded as peaceable
and humane, though their king rules with
arbitrary sway. The Islands are very fertile,
and abound with live stock; they are, in con-
sequence, much frequentA by ships in want
of supplies. The town of Joanna contains
two or three hundred houses, built mostly OF
stone. No European settlement has ever been
made in these islands.-B0stOn Courier.