The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-02-17
asoHnb;trtassacakt of .Boslansl;l by
ana aAsnerlc;,sa Ssrip.OS.vYar.

AsOmDitfdsncsRt of .BOs1,syasl;l by
ana American Salip-of-Svar.
Johanna, one Of the Comoro Islands.
situated IN the northern port of tho
Mozambique channel, between NADIA
gascar and the Atrican coast, has been
bombardcd by the United States, sloop-
ot-war Dale. The place is much fire.
qucntcd by whalcships for supplies,
and it was owing to repeated outrngcs
from the king OF the island, to which
our whalcrs have bccn subjected, that
the attack was made. In August 1850,
he seized and threw into prison Cap
tain Moore, Of the barquc Maria, of
New Bedford, and the Dale was de-
spatched by our government to obtain
| redress for the outrage. The lVestcrn
Star has the following account of the
attack, derived from Captain Cutter,
of the barquc Dolphin:
''Captain Pearson, after making all
inquiries. of both tho English squadron
on this stction, and the masters 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 ut this
island, Immediately demanded Of tic
King 2O,000, and required IN imme-
date answer. After waiting all night
and receiving no answer, he despatched
another letter, informing the King, that
if he did not give him an answer at or
Sbeiorc - o'clock, he should commence
hostiities. The King replied to the
last note, offering $500 in cash, $500
worth of bullocks, and trinkcts. Cap
tain Pearson refused this, and got his
ship under weigh, and anchored lcr off
the town, 100 hundred yards from the
beach, with his broadsidc to the town.
The King sent off and offered to pay
$4,000 if lie could get him in any way
would give trinkcts, cattle and cot
ton cloth to make up the amount
Capt. Pearson then gave the King "a
hours more to consider of it, atAthe,
same time telling him MOTTO make any:
war-likc demonstration mean
time; if he did. he should consider it
ais Il brcacl, OF faith, and should com
mcncc immediate hostilities. Hc also
notified the King that if he did not
come to some definite terms, TO send
the w.mcn 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
Il large number of troops paradcd on
the shore, and they sent word t" Capt.
Pearson that he might do what he
could-thcy would not pay anything.
At 8 y. NJ, the Dale commenced fir
ing shot at the fort. After five shots
they sot white flag. Capt Pearson
immediately ceased firing, and sent
Lieut.. FailG,x with flag of trAcc. to
inquire what the white flag was set for,
and il 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 We're told to haul down the
flag Of truce, but they refused to dc so.
Captain Pearson, on learning their an
swcr, sent another message TO them,
informing them that if they not laul
down tho flag he should commence fir
ing again with it up. After waiting
proper length of time, Captain Pearson
again commenced firing at the fort and
blockllousc at the corner Of tho town,
but strictly avoiding to fire into the
town. After nineteen shots and shells,
they set a signal on the beach, and
Lieut.. Parker was sent with flag Of
truce. At this time the King otitrod
to pay $1,000 down, give bond tor
$4,000 and surrender the town; said he
was very sorry that he had done wrong,
and faithfully promised not to do so in
future. lie would give up his houses,
his slaves, his cattle, but that lie could
not give bnt 1000 in money, and
thirty head cattle. Capt. Pearson
wishing to avoid blood-shcd, accepted
this offer, on condition; that the King
should make a treaty with the Amcri-
can government, placing Americans on
an equal footing with the most favored
nations.
At5r. W., on the 7th, Capt. Pearson
hauled his ship from the town, and
everything has gene on quiet since, SO
far
za~e4.SES-s-e-ess--