The daily union., 1854-02-07
New aledonIa.-M0ve ments or France in the
Az


The island. or rather group OF islands OF winch New
Caledonia is the central and most important one. lately
to all appearance owsed BY Grea, Britain has been. as
our readers know seized BY otherwise traded To- The
Emperor Bonaparie; and his feels are now in oceupa-
ton We not prepared to sayin fact are utterly
ignorant Of The conditions OF OF this apparent
aggression But nasmueh the objects OF France on
the Sandwich islands are well known, there has
been distinct understanding with Great Britain on lha,
subject and on the similar subject OF Cuba. based upon
jealousy Of our growing trade and power, on both
oceans, and as This Anglo-FIank alliance may further
develop itself well the Pacific the Gulf OF Mex
leo the Black, Mediterranean or Baltic seas. we
do not think that the following description Of New Gale
dcnia will be deemed intrusive BY our readers II is
from the latest authority and Btish at that its
author being captain the English navy, John Ephen-
stone Ersklne in command ol 'her Malestys chip Ha-
sannah." The book from whieh take it il entitled
journal OF cruise among The islands OF the western
Pacihc, recently published by the notable John Muir
ray, OF London. We direct attention to the important
position OF New Caledonia, and reserve further CON-
menl
. The important Island Of New Cadonia,' writes Mr.
hfssine, (which, FRon
irs uAGsoas, NAY M COMMANDING The
HuMcAroNs AUSTRALIA WITH IaDlA CnrsA PAsAaA
AND CALIFORNIA, discovered by Captain Cook on The
"a OF September, i77i when, explong the New He
brides verifying the discoveries OF aru. completing
the survey thar arch peisgo he returning to ret
and refresh mis- crew at New Zealand.
New Caledonia is two huud red miles long and
twenty-five bread central rocky ridge Of considefs bis
elevation extending along its whole length, and barrie
coral reef snrfounding With tie pon q very few
miles, The entire coast, both its oihern and
sides. This reei which distan, shore from tws
10 twelve miles, with many opennla allowing the rges
shs TO eater ions channel roand the island
IN simos' every part Of which archoage may be found
rom fsnE 70 twenty-five fsthoms continuation of The
reel a!mos, eonnecs ine touAes end o New Caledons
with The se OF Pines. and stretches oat fully one hund
aad My miles from the northwest point occasionally dot
cd viii islands. sons OF which Inhabited.
= Toe New Caeionianss wac have name for ibsir
whole Island, hne aud inislls of men, re
sembin IA physical characteristics The Feejsans although
Ia religion and language they difs1 enrey. ca Cook
who passed eleven days in the potof Baad north
east coast gives them unqualified praise honesty and
good mature, In which quality, he says they exceeded al
Toe nations be had yet with. II Blsriiere ,he bis
torsn OF dEnuecaseaa's expedition. hlnk, that Cool
much oYesed the goodness Of their disposition and The
French certainly obiained convincing proofs their
-d'cton ocannibsism. The population has been dr
iefenty esuns,ed from l5ooO Co 00a hat only
make gness s amount. and may perna pa set il down
at sbou 25 o00 The London Mission Society occupied
station for few years Tu.a. village south
eastern end of the island but have abandoned il for the
time, have slso the French Roman Catholics, who
headed by the Bishop Of Amata, (ponue) Paebo twc
isbborine dsict about ls45 They have retired
the lie a Pines, whence they said
return 70 their ormef quarters We could not ascertain
that they bad made much Impression the minds Of
natives did appear that hey had left behind Them
any Of The language. although people have
singular spuude for the scquemena and pronunca
OF English wofcs.
the island, thoagh picturesque. is not productive
bur the inhabitants n plsces practse Irrigation very
skiiuy, and appear generally TO be people capable
much i'm provement"
II will be seen that important questions must arise
from this occupation OF island important in ih,
Pacific Cuba is in the Gull and dangerous ia III,
hands Of hostile powers 10 growing commerce Fur
iher, not prepared say anything at present