Washington telegraph., 1852-03-03
BOmbardinent of Johanna by Ana
American Ship-Of.War.

Z
American Ship-Of.War.
Johanna, one of the Comore Islands.
situated in the northern part of the Mozam,
bique channel, between Madagascar and the.
African coast, has been bombarded by the
United States sloop-of-war Dale The place
is much frequented by whaleships for sup,
plies, and it was owing to repeated outrapes
from the king of the island, to which our
whalers have been subjected, that the attack
was made. In August, 1850 he seized and
threw into prison Captain Moore, of the
barque Maria, of New Bedford and the
Dale was despatched by our government to
obtain redress for the outrage. The Western
Star has the following account of the attack
derived from Captain Cutter, of the barque
Dolphin:
Captain Pearson, after making all in.
quiries, of both the English squadron on
this station, and the masters of American
ships in the harbor, and also of the English
residents here, being convinced. of the
fragrant injustice done to Capt. Moore and
others at this island, Immediately demanded
OF the King 100000, and required an i'm.
mediate answer After waiting all niob,
and receiving no answer, he despatched
another letter, informing the King. that if
he hid not give him. an answer at or before
II O'Clock, he should commence hostilities
The King replied to the last note, offering
$500 in cash, 500 worth of bullocks and
trinkets. Captain Pearson refused this, and
got his ship under weigh, and anchored her.
off the town, 100 yards from the beach
with his broads;de to the town.
The King sent off and offered to pay
$4,000 if he could get it in any way-would
give trinkets-Ca tie and aotton clo h TO make
up the amount. Capt. Pearson then gave
the King 24 hours more to consider of il.
at the same time telling HIM not to make
any warlike demonstration in the meantime.
IF he did he should consider it as breach
of faith, and should commence immediate
hcstilities. He also notified the King that
ii 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
tden commence firing upon them. At day.
light the 6th, there were large number of
troops paraded on the shore, and they sent
word to Capt. Pearson that he might do
what he couid-they would not pay any,
thing. At 8 A. NJ. the Da'e commenced
firing shot at the fort Aftcr five shots
they set white flag Captain Pearson i'm.
mediately ceased firing, and sent Lieutenant
Fairfax with 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, aid
said they could not meet the demand.
They We're told to haul down their hag of
truce, but they refused to do 50. Captain
Pearson, on learning their answer, sent
ano-her message to them, informing them
tlat if they did not haul down the fig h,
should commence firing again with it up
Afer waiting proper ieng,h Of time
| Capt. Pearson again commenced firing ut
the fort and blocknouse at the corner of the
town, but strictly avoiding to fire into tie
town. After nineteen shots and shells, they
set signal on the beach, and Lieutenant
Parker was sent with hag of truce. Ut
this time the King offered 20 pay Sl,00o
down, give bond 5or $1,000 and surrcn-
der the town; siad he was very sorry thlt
I 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 h.
could not give but $1,000 in money and
thirty head OF cattle Capt. Pearson, WISH.
ing to avoid bloodshed accepted this offer,
on condition that tie King should make
! treaty with the American government, plac-
ing Americans on an equal footing with the
most favored nations
At 5 p. ~, on the 7th, Capt Pearson
hauled his ship from the town, and every
thing has gone ON quiet since, 50 far.