The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-03-06
BOMBARDMENT OF JOHANNA BY AN
AMERICAN SHIP OF WAR.

BOMBARDMENT OF JOHANNA BY AN
| AMERICAN SHIP OF WAR.
| Johanna one of the Comoro Islands, sit
uated in the northern part of the Mazam-
bique Channel, between Madagascar end
the African coast, has been bombarded by
the U. S. sloop-of-war Dale. The Boston
Journal says the placeis much frequented
by whaleships for supplies. and it was
owing to repeated outrages from the king
Of the islands, to which our whalers have
been subjected, that the attack was made
In August, 1850, he seized and threw
into prison, Capt. Moore, Of the barque
Maria, of New Beford, and The Dale was
despatched by our government to obtain
redress for the outrage. The Warren
Star has the following account of the at
tack, derived from Captain Gutter Of the
barque Dolphin:
Captain Pearson, after making all in
inquiries. of both the English squadron on
this station, and the masters of American
ships in the harbor, and also Of the En-
glish residents here, being convinced of
the fragrant injustice done TO Captain
Moore and others at this island, immedi-
ately demanded of the King $4,000, and
required an immediate answer. After
waiting all night and receiving no answer,
he des patched another 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 replied
to the last note, offering $500 in cash,
$500 worth OF bulocks, and trinkets.-
Captain Pearson refused this, and got his
ship under way, 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 if he could get it in any way
would give trinkets, cattle and cotton
cloth to make up the amount. Captain
Pearson then gave the King "a hours
more to consider of it, at the same time
telling him not to make any warlke de-
monstration in the meantime; if he did,
he should consider it as breach of faith,
and should commence immediate hostili-
ties. 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, as he should
then commence firing upon them. At
daylight on the 9th, there were large
number 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 thing. At A. M.
the Dale commenced firing shot at the
fort. After five shots they sent white
flag. Captain Pearson Immediately ceas-
ed firing, and sent Lieut.. Fairfax with a
flag of truce, to inquire what the white
flag was sent for, and if they were ready
to treat with him. They answered that
they wished the firing 10 cease, and said
they could not meet the demand.
They were told to haul down the flag
Of truce, but they refused. Capt. Pear
son, on learning their answer, sent ano,h-
er message to them, informing them that
if they did not haul down the flag he
should commence firing again with it up.
After waiting proper length of time,
Capt. Pearson again commenced firing at
the Fort, and blockhouse at the corner of
the town, but strictly avoiding to fire in
to 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 that he had done wrong, and faith
fully promised not to do SO in future. He
would give up his house, his slaves. his
cattle, but that he could not give but
$1,000 in money, and thirty head Of cat
tie. Capt. Pearson wishig to avoid blood
shed, accepted this offer on condition that
the King should make treaty with the
American government, placing Ameri-
ems 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 every
thing has gone on quietly since, so far.
Lynch LAVA YouNG WOMAN
HuNc-A correspondent of the Journal