Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-05
HOSTILITIES WITH THE COMORO Is
rIANDERC

By accounts just come to hand from the Comoro H.
lands; II appears that hostile attack has been made
In thar quarter by an American government vessel
Johanna, the chief island Of that group has been for
some time place OF resort for American whalers
who, it is affirmed, have been repeatedly subjected 10
outrages from the King OF the Islands In August
1850, it appears that he seized and threw into prison
Captain Moore, of The bark Maria of New Bedford
We do not remember the nature oil this transaction
but, as we unders and our Government despa 'ched
the sloop OF war Dale Captain Pearson to obtain re-
dress for the outrage. The King having eIused this
Capla Pearson canHonaded the town, nd brought
the King to terms, on the 9Th of August last The fol-
lowing account of the transaction, is from Captain
Cutler, oil the bark Dolphin, published in the Warren
(R. H. Star:
Captain Pearson after making all inquiries, OF both
the English squadron on this station and the masters
Of American ships in the hafbor, aud also oil the
English residents here, being convinced Of The fragrant
injustice done Captain Moore and Others at this
Island, demanded oflhe King, $4,000, and required an
immediate answer. After waiting all night and re-
eeving no answer, he dispatched another letter. ia
forming The KING that if he did not give him an an
swer at or before twelve O'Clock, he should commence
hosllties The King replied 10 the last note, Offering
$500 III cash. 5000 worth Of buoeks and trnkets-
Captain Pearson refused this, and got his ship under
weigh, aud moo.ed her off the town, 100 yards from
the beaeh, with his broadsde to the town
The King then sent off and offered 10 pay S. 000
if he coud get it in any way--wouId give trnkets,
cattle ana cotton cloth TO make the amount. Capt
Pearson then gave the king twenty four hours
10 consider OF it, at the time telling him not
1
he did, he should consider it as breach OF faith and
should commence hostilties He also notified the King
that II ne did not como to some definite terms to Sem
the woman and children out OF the place by noon
the next day, he should then commence firing upon
them.
At daylight the 9th, there q 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 anything. A; niue A. M. the
Dale commenced firing shet at the fort. After five
shots they set white flag, Captain Pearson imme
Eotal w Epinn Nn;rF, ,,..L.
flag OF truce 10 inquire what the white flag was Sc
for, and if they were ready to treat with him They
answered that they wished the firing 10 cease, and
sad they could not meet the demand
Ihey were told TO haul down the flag Of truce, but
they refused to do so. Capt Pearson, on learning
their answer, sent another message them, inform
ing them that if they did not haul down the flag he
should commence firing again with it up. After walt
ing proper length OF time, Capt Pearson again
menced firing at the tort and blockhouse at the cor
ner of the town, but strictly avoiding firing into the
town. Alter nineteen shots and shells they sig
nal on the beach, and Lieutenant Parker was sent
with flag Of truce. At this time the King offered
10 pay $1,000 down, give bond for $1,000, and sur
render the town; said he was very sorry he had done
wroag, and faithfully promised to do SO In future
He would give up his houses hts slaves, his cattle
but that he could only give $1,000 in money, and 80
head of cattle. Captain Pearson, wishing TO avoid
boodshed accepted this offer on condition that the
King should make a treaty with the American gov
eminent, placing Americans equal footing with
the most favored nations.
AT 5 A. M, on the 7lh Captain Pearson hauled his
ship from the town, and everything has gone on quiet
since far.
Comoro Islands lie in the Northern part of the Mo-
Zambique Channel, tween Madagascar and the At
tlcan coast Joanna or Johanna, the chief island has
population OF about 80 900. The natives are mon
grel race, combining Arabian with African blood -
They have been generally regarded peaceable and
humane though their king rules with arbitrary sway.
The Island very fertile and abound with live
stock; they are, in consequence, much frequened by
shirs In want OF supplies. The town of Joanna con-
No European settlement has been made in these
Standardization Courier