The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-03-19
NUMBER 8.

! Johanna, Che p
the q. s. sloop-of-waf Ddlsy o.
is one Of the Comoro Islands, situated 10
3 2 the northern part Of Mozambique Channel
u 1t is much frequented by whale ships for
: supplies, repeated outrages upon whom,
committed by the King of the Islands, fur
J nished the necessity for the bombardment
The following letter from the Captain of
the barque Dolphin, of Warren, R, l., gives
: the particulars of the transaction
JOHANNA, Friday, Aug. 8, 1851.
Mn. RANDALL Dear Sir: ] take the lib
erty to write you the particulars of the
bombardment of the Fort at Johanna. On
the 9th of August, the U. Sssloop-of-war
Dale, Commander Pearson, arrived here,
and Immediately demanded redress of the
King for the unjust imprisonment of Cap
tain Moores, of the barque Maria, of New
Bedford, who was imprisoned here in Au-
gust, 1850. Capt. Pearson after making all
inquiries of both the English squadron on
| this station, and the masters of American
ships in the harbor, and also of the English
r. sidents here, being convinced of the fla
grant injustice done to Capt Moores and
others at this Island, Immediately deman-
ded of the King $4,000, and required an
immediate answer. ..- ..-
After waiting all night and receiving no
answer, he dispatched another letter, in
forming the King, that if he did not give
him an answer at, or before ~ o'clock, he
should commence hostilities. The King re-
lied to the last note, offering $500 in cash.
nd $500 worth of bullocks and trinkets,
| Capt. P. refused this, and got his ship under
weigh, and moored her off the town, 100
ards from the beach, with his broadside to
the town. The King then sent off and Of
fered to pay $5,0J0if he could getit in any
way-wOuld give trinkets, cattle and cotton
cloth to make up the amount. Capt. Pear
son then gave the King "a hours more to
consider Of it, at the same time telling him
not to make any warlike demonstration in
the meantime il he did he Sifour'i SV-'srs'0'-
it rs a breach of fPsth, and should com
mence immediate hOstihtles. be also notl-
! fed 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, the 9Th there were large
number of troops paraded on the shore, and
they sent word to Capt. Pearson that he
might do what he could-they would not
pay anything. At 9 A. M, the Dale com
menced firing shot at the Fort. After five
shots they set a white flag. Capt. P. imme
diately ceased firing, and sent Lieut. Fair
ak with flag Of truce to inquire what the
white flag was set Tor, 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, but they refused to do so. Cept P.
on learning their answer, sent another mes
sage to them, informing them if they did
not haul down tie flag he should com
mence firing again with it up.
After waiting a proper length of time
Capt, ?. again commenced firing at the Fort
and BlockhOuse at the corner Of the town,
but strictly avoiding to fire 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 81 100 down, give a
! bond for $1,000, and surrender the town:
said he was very sorry that he had done
wrong, aud 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 $1,000 in money and 80 head of
cattle Capt Pearson, wishing to avoid
bloodshed, accepted this offer on condition
that the King should make treaty with
the American Government, placing Ameri-
cans on an equal footing with the most
favored nations.
Ats P, NJ, on the 7th, Capt. Pearson
hauled his ship from the town, and every
thing has gone on quiet since, 30 far The
chastisement beg leave to say, was re-
quired, in order that Americans might be
treated with common honesty 1t would be
great benefit to the interests Of the whal.
ing feet in the Indian Ocean to have a
ship-of-war to protect us. The king makes
nothing of imprisoning 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 effectually
redressed the outrage upon Capt. Moores.
You can make such use of this commu-
nication as you think proper. The state
ments are true. / was an eye witness to
the whole proceedings. Yours. &c. ts
CHARLES R, CUTLER,
Master bark Dolphin.