Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-14
THE BOMBARDMENT OF JOHANNA.

The following letter from Captain Cutler, Of
the bark Dolphin, detailing the bombardment
of Johanna, one Of the Comoro islands, by the
U. s. sloop of war Dale is from the Warren
Star. Our whalemen have suffered many out
RACES, at various times from the hands of the
| natives OF those islands, when obliged to put
in there for supplies. 1t is to be hoped the
wholesome lesson given them by Com Pearson
will have the effect of preventing the recurrence
OF outrages that had already existed much
longer than proper regard for the rights of
American citizens ought to have allowed
JOHANNA Aug. 3. 1851.
On the 9th of August, the L. S. sloop of war
| Dale, Commander Pearson arrived here and
Immediately demanded redress of the King for
the uni just imprisonment of Captain Moore, OF
| the bark Maria, of New Bedford who was I'M
prisoned here in August. 1850, Captain Pear
son, after making all inquiries Of both the
English squadron on this station, and the mas
ters of American ships in the harbor. and also
of the English residents here, being convinced
of the fragrant injustice done TO Captain Moore
and others Mt this island, Immediately demand
ed of the King $4,000, and required an i'm
mediate answer After waiting all night, and
receiving no answer, he despatched another
letter, informing the King. that if he did no
give him an answer at or before twelve o'clock
he should commence host;lties. The King re
piled to the last note, Offering $500 in cash and
$500 worth of bullocks and trinkets. Capt.
refused this, and got his ship under weigh and
moored her off the town. one hundred yards
| from the beach, with his broadside to the town
| The King then sent off and offered to pay
$4,000, ifhe could get it in any way-would give
| trinkets, cattle, and cotton cloth, to make NJ
the amount. Captain Pearson then gave the
King twenty-four hours more to consider of it
at the same time telling him not to make any
| warlike demonstration in the mean time-it
he did, he should consider it breach of faith
and should commence immediate hostities
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. next
day, as he should then commence firing upon
them.
At daylight the 9th, there were a large mum.
ber of troops paraded on the shore, and they
sent word to Captain Pearson that he might dc
what he could-they would not pay anything
At A. M. the Dale commenced firing shot al
the fort. After five shots, they set white
| flag Captain Pearson immed ately ceased
firing, and sent Lieutenant Fairfax with flag
| of truce. to inquire what the white flag was sci
for and if they were ready to treat with him
They answered, that they wished the firing tc
cease, and sad they could not meet the de.
mand They were told to haul down the flag
of truce but they refused to do 50. Captain
Pearson on learning their answer, sent an
other message to them, informing them that
if they did not haul down the flag, he should
commence firing again with it up. After wait
ing proper length of time. Captain Pearson
again commenced firing at the fort and block
house mt the corner Of the town, but strictly
avoiding to fire into the town. After nineteen
shots and shells they set q signal on the beach.
and Lieutenant Parker was sent with flag of
truce. At this time the King offered to pay
$l 600 down, give bond for $4,000, and sur
render the town said he was very sorry that
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
not give but 81 900 in money and thirty head
of cattle, Captain Pearson, wishing to avoid
bloodshed, accepted this offer, on condition that
the King should make treaty with the Amer.
lean Government, placing Americans on an
equal footing with the most favored nations
At 5 A. M. on the 7th Captain Pearson
hauled his ship from the town, and everything
has gone on quiet since, so far This chastise-
ment. beg leave to say was required, in order
that Americans may he treated with common
honesty.
1t would be great benefit to the interests
of the whaling fleet in the Indian ocean, to
have n ship of war to protect us The King
makes nothing of imprsoning us. when he
thinks proper without law or gospel; and we
| can only appeal to our Government, which has
am proud to say, promptly and efectuaIly
redressed the outrage upon Captain Moore
! IN | n It.
ness to the whole proceedings.
! Yours &c, CHARIE~ X. CUTLER,
Master Of Bark Dolphin.