The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-06
B0mbardment Of Johanna by an American
Ship Of War.

Johanna, one of the Comoro Islands, situated
in the northern part of The Mozambique channel,
between Madagascar and the African coast, has
been bombarded by the United States soop Of.
war ID le The place is much frequented by
whaleships for suI plies, and it was owing to re.
peated outrages 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
balque 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 inquiries,
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 Cap
tain Moore and others at this island, Immediately
demanded of the King $4,000, and required
an immediate answer. After waiting all nj ht
and receiving no answer. he despatched another
letter, informing the King that if he did not
give him an answer at or before 10 o'clock,
he should commence hostilities. The King re
piled to the last note, offering $500 in cash.
$500 worth of bullocks, and trinkets. Captain
Pearson refused this, and got his ship under
from the beach, with his broadsde to the town.
The King sent off and offered to pay $1,000
if he could get it in any way-would give lrirk
cts, cattle and cotton cloth to make up the
amount. Capt Pearson then gave the King "a
hours more to consider of it, at the same time
telling him not to make any warlike domonstra
ton in the meantime if he did, he should con-
slider it as breach of faith, and should COM
mence immediate hostiIites. He also notified
the King that if he did not come TO some d, Fl
mite terms, to send the women ard children out
of the place by noon the next day, as he should
then commence firing upon them. AT daylight
the 9th, there were a 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 A. NJ ,
the Dale commenced firing shot at the fort. AT.
ter five shots they set white flag. Capt Pear
son Immediately ceased firing, and sent Lieut..
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, and said they could not meet
the demand
They were told to haul down the flag oftruce,
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 firing again
with it up. After waiting a proper length OF
time Captain Pearson again commenced hiring
/ 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 sig
nal on the beach, and Lieut. Parker was sem
with flag of truce. AT this time the King Of
fered to pay S. 900 down, give a bond for $4,000
and surrender the town said he was very sorr!