The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-07
From The Boston Adoer,isr.


Hostilities with the ComOrO Islanders.
by accounts just come to hand from the Comoro
Islands, II appears that hostile attack Inns been
made IN that quarter by an American Govern
ment vessel. Joanna, the chief island Of that
group, has been for some time place of resort for
American whalers, who, ii Is affirmed, have been
repeatedly subjected to outrages from the king of
the islands In August, 1850, it appears that he
s,ized and threw into prison Captain Moore, Of tho
barque Maria, Of New Bedford. We do not re-
member the nature OF this transaction, but,
understand our Government despatched the soop-
oi.war Dale, Captain Pearson to obtain redress
for the outrage. The king having refused this,
Captain Pearson cannonaded the town, and brought
the king to terms on the 9th of August last. The
following account OF the transaction is from Cap
tain Cutler, OF the barquc Dolphin, published in the
Warren (Rhode IslaBd) Star:
Captain Pearson, after making all inquiries oi
both the English squadron on this station and the
masters Of American shps in the hnrbor, and also
Of the English residents here, being convinced of
the fragrant injustice done to Captain Moore and
others, at this island, Immediately demapded Of
the king $4,000 and required an immediate an
answer, he despatched another letter, informing
the king that, il he did not give him answer at
or before IL O'Clock, he should commence hosti
ties. The king replied to the last note, Offering
j. 500 in cash, $500 worth of bullocks and
trnkets. Captain Pearson refused this, and got
his ship under weigh, aud moorcd her oil the
town, 100 yards from the beach, with his broadside
to the town.
$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 TWEEN
ty-iour hours more to consider OF it, at the same
time telling him not to make any warlikc demon
stration in the mean time-if he did he should con-
slider it as breach Of faith, and should commence
immediate hostties. He also notified the king
that If he did not come to some definite terms TO
. md the women and children out Of the place by
the next daJ, as he should then commence
firing upon them. At daylight, the 9th, there were
large number of troops par AIDED on the shore. and
they sent word TO Captain Pearson that he might
do what he couid-they would not pay any thing.
AT q. m. the Dale commenced firing shot at the
fort. After five shots they set white flag. Cap
tain Pearson Immediately ceased firing, and sent
Lieutenant Fairfax, with flag Of truce, to inquire
what the white flag set for, and ii 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 Captain Pearson, on
learning their answer, sent another message TO
them, informing them that If they did not haul
down the flag he should commence hiring again
with il up. After waiting proper length Of time,
Captain Pearson again commenced firing at the
fort and bockhousc at the corner OF the town, but
strictly avoiding to fire into the town. After nine
shots and shells they set signal on the beach,
and Lieutenant Parker was sent with flag OF
At this time the king offered to pay = 900
down, give bond for $ 900, and surrender the
town said he was very sorry that he had done
wrong, and faithfully promised not to do SO in fu-
ture. lie would give up his houses, his slaves, his
cattle, but that he could not give but = 900 in
money, and thirty head of cattle. Captain Pear
son. wishing to avoid hloodshvd. accepted this Of
fer, condition that the king should make trea-
ty with the American Government placing Amer
leans equal footing with the most favored ma
tons"
At 5 a. M, on the 7th, Captain Pearson hauled
his ship from the town, and every thing has gone
quiet since, 50 FAR.
The Comoro Islands lie in the northern part OF
81. mol ketv lad
and the African coast. Joanna or Johanna, the
chief island has popu lation OF about 80 900 The
natives arc mongrcl race, combining Arabian
with African blood. They have been generally re-
garded peaccable and humane, though their
king rulcs with arbitrary sway. The islands ere
very fertile. and abound with live stock they are,
in consequence, much ircqucnted by ships In want
of supplies. The town OF Joanna contains two or
TIA, &c hundred houses. built mostly of stone. No
European settlement has ever been made in these
islands.
HALIFAX AND QUEBEo RAILRoAp.-A Geographic
despatch from Halifax, of the ID instant. runs as
follows:
..The talk about the Halifax and Quebec
railway, and seven millions of money from her
s iesty's government at three and hall per cent,
has ended in talk. Earl Grey, IN despatch TO
the Nova Scotia government, refuses TO recognise
the Portland line in participation OF guarantee;
"a proposition from the Canadian delegate here
was submitted on Friday for line OF road to fol.
low the valley of the St. John touching at st. John
city. The line TO be contracted on joint account
OF the three provinccs-Canada to bear one third,
New Brunswick five-tweliths, and Nova Scous
one fourth of the cost Of construction Canada 10
build the line fro u Quebec to Montreal At her own
risk, with government guarantee OF the money at
81 per cent.
''Thc proposition was referred to committee OF
the Assembly, consisting Of the leading men OF
both parties, as the government was not disposed
10 assume the responsibility III a matter oil such
grave importance. The committee reported on
Saturday that they were prepared to recommend
10 the House OF Assembly to accept the proposition
made by Canadian delegates. The committee were
almost una ninous-one dissenting. So ends the
Halifax and Quebec railway"
Az IaREpAaABLy Loss.-The Rochester Daily
Adr~rfiser lcarns that the law office oil the Hon.
Daniel s Dickinson, at Bingham, was burned
day or two since, together with nearly all oi hts
Office papers. correspondence, &c, and, among
other things the manuscript Of the lecture he had
prepared TO deliver in Rochester.
To pCOrCe j.