The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-03-02
BOmbardment of Johanna by an American
Ship of War;

Johanna. ono Of The Comoro Islands, si,ua-
ied in the northern part oi the Mozambique
| Channel, between Madagascar and the African
coast. has been bonpbarded by the u S. sloop
ofwar Dale. The Boston Journal says the
place IS much frequented by whaleshps for
supplies. IL was owing TO repeated outIagts
from The king of the islands, 10 which our wha-
lers have been subjected, that the attack was
made. In Augus', 1850. he seized and threw
into prison Capt. Moore. .of The baique Maria,
of New Bedford, and the Dale was despatched
by our government TO obtain redress for the
outrage. The Warren Star has The following
! account oT the attack, derived from Capt Gut
ter. of the baiqne Dolphin!
Captain Pearson alter making all inquiries,
oi both Of The English squadron on this station.
and The masters of American ships 10 the har.
bor, and also Of The English residents here, be-
ing convinced of the flaerant injustice done TO
Captain Moore apd others at this island i'm
mediaiely demanded Of The King $4,000, and
| required an immediate answer After waiting
all night aud receiving no answer. he despatch
e6 another letcn informing the King that il he
| did not give hin an answer at or before l2 o.
clock, he should commence bosllities. The
King replied 10 the last note. Offering $500 in
| cash $500 worth oI buiocks. and trinkets'-
Capt. Pearson refused this and got his ship
under weigh. and moored her off the town,
me hundred yaids lsom the beach. with his
broa1side To The town.
The King then scot of and offered TO pay
$4,000 if he could get il in any way-wonld give
irinkets, cattle and cotton cloth 10 make up ihe
amount. Capt. Pieisop then gave the King %
houis more To consider of il, ~ the same time
telling him not TO make any warlISe demonstra-
iion in the mean time; if he did he should con.
slider IL as breach of faith. and should COM
mence immediate hosiilties. He also noticed
The King that il he did not come 10 some def
mite terms. 10 send The women and children out
of the place by noon the next day, as he sho'd
Then commence firing upon ihcm. At day
light the 9Th, there was large number ot
troops paradeL on the shore. and they sent
word To C,pr. Pearson that he minghi do what
he could-rley would not pay anything. Al
Q \ VI. the Dale commenced fling shot al the
fart. After five Shots they sent the white flag.
Captain Pearson Immediately ceasing firing.
and sent Ii. Fa'f,x with fig fuuce, to in
qure what the white dag was sent for, and II
they were ready to treat him. They answered
that they wished the firing to cease, and said
that they could not meet the demand.
They were told to haul down the flag Of
uuce. bur they refused so to do. Capt. Pear
son, nn learning their answer. sent another
message 10 hem. informing them that IL they
did not hanl ..down the Il ~ he shonld commence
firing again with IL up. Alter waiting proper
length Of time, Capt. Pearson again commen-
ccd firing al the Font, and Blockhouse AT the
corner of the town, bur strictly avoiding to fire
into The fowo After nino,een shot and shells
they set a signal on the beach, and Lieut. PAT
ker was seat wilma flag of truce. AT this time
the King offered TO pay $1,000 down, give
bond Tor $4,000. and suucoder 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 house. his slaves. cattle, but
that he could not give but $1,000 in money, and
thirty head OF cattle. Capt. Pearson wishing
to avoid bloodshed. accepted this offer on con-
di'oo that the King should make treaty with
the American government, placing Americans
on an equal footing with the most favored ma
tions.
Az s A. NJ. on The 7ih. Capt. Pearson haul
ed his ship from the town, and everything has
gone on quiet since. so far.