Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-02

News from Tahiti.-We have news from Ta-
hiti to the 9th of September.
The company of Hawaiian missionaries, ac-
companed by Messrs. Bricknell and Parker, who
sailed from Honolulu on the 10th Of June, arrived
safely at Tahiti, and were soon TO depart for the
island Fauhva. the intended place for their settle
ment, whittier they are invited by the conquered
King Makounui.
On the 25th of July the Rev Mr. Parker paid
visit to Mr.. Page, the French governor of the So
ciety Islands. A correspondent of the Friend.
writing under the date of August %, describes the
interview thus: "He received Mr.. Parker very
graciously, and at once informed him that the is
land Of Fatuhiva belongs to France He then stated
that he was happy TO give his consent to the mis-
sion and promised to give all the protection pos
sibe to the members of it, He took considerable
pains to give to Mr.. Parker correct idea of the
state of the island, the nature Of the harbor and
other information which was of considerable adj
vantage to him to know and by which he was en-
abled 10 more clearly the nature Of the diff
culties they lay before him. He stated that the
chief is by no means principal one; and
learned from another quarter that short time be-
fore he left for the Sandwich islands he had been
beaten by chief who appears to have subdued,
or nearly SO, the whole island and that the chief
in question had been driven into an insignificant
nook, where his establishment consisted of some
four or five huts only. The governor stated, that
he had not yet hosted the French flag at that par
tcuar island, but now that foreigners were about
that a small vessel would frequently visit the is
land TO see how the party proceeded In taking
leave, the governor expressed his earnest wish
for the success of the mission. l feel satisfied
that the committee Of your infant society acted
wisely in advising the party TO touch here. as
thereby much trouble and perhaps difficulty will
have been avoided
II is said that the chief who is, or was the con-
queror, is benevolent and socable man, and one
in whom parties may confde. Should this prove
txps - 49,
and, on the other hand, should he be indisposed
to acknowledge the French claim which to this
time had not been asserted, the arrival Of both
parties about the same time may induce him TO
think that there is some connexion between them,
and he may refuse TO accept them. All these
things. however, were well understood by Mr..
Parker, and he is, therefore, prepared to take
correct view OF the course he ought to pursue.
The two native ministers preached here in the
native chapel on the Sabbath after their arrival,
and Mr.. Parker had engaged TO preach to the
Sandwich Islanders who reside here; but, on
leaving the ship on Saturday, he sprained his an
kle, which made il painful for him TO walk. He
rested with us on Saturday, the 9th of August,
when the vessel sailed. May the Divine arm pro-
tect her and prosper her mission. / have every
reason to believe that they have, this reached
the island, strong sonthery winds have been
blowing ever since her departure. She obtained
q new manmast here. 4. tE
Our own circumstances are the same as when
last wrote 10 you. We are waiting TO hear the
decision Of the two governments concerning what
has been done.
The lceward islands are in very unsettled
state, and have been so for some time especially
the island Of Raiatea. The island is divided into
two factions and they are now living in entrench-
mcnts, provoking each other to an attack. The
occasion believe TO be, that the old king cannot
be brought to give up some of his heather rites,
which involve considerable oppression. He is
quite willing TO make good laws, but he cannot
be brought tosunderstand why he should be COM
other hand, are determined that there shall be no
difference between monarch and subjects before
the law, and they have taken up arms in defence
OF this principle. In the meantime, cultivation,
educaiion. and religious duties are placed in abey-
ancc, and our brethren, the missionaries, left
to sigh over the desolation, physical and moral,
which reigns around them.
The correspondent OF the Poiynestan, Of the
date Of August ~, says: