The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-16
ADDITIONAL FROM THE FEEJEE ISLANDS.
ghs Atrocities Committed by the Natives on
American Settlers and Seamcn.
English Missionaries the Alleged InSti-
gators Of these OutrageS.

Summary Punishment Of the Savages by
Commander Boutwell,. U. s. N,
&C., &C., &c.
Our Levuka Correspondence.
LEvUKA OyALAU, FEEJBE ISLANDS
SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, Nov. !, 1855.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Tho Feeee Islands, situated in Ocsanica in the South
Pacific Ocean, probably the finest group yet disco
ered IA the South Seas enjoying ssubrious and tenn
srate climate, fertile soil, and capable of producing
pvery variety of tropical fruit in abundance
Affairs of great Importance to community out here
md having tendency to interfere with aud affect affairs
home having lately transpied deem it but Justice
myself, merchant In Feejse also to other Ame-
residing and doing business at these islands,
well for the mercantile and large whaling interest
America connected with this group also for the pro-
econ Of American ships and their trading this
archipelago and for the further protection of American
wrecked these islands, that the attention of
The United States government should be directed to the
many changes rapidly taking place here affect
Ing American interests and American commerce.
Knowing that publicity is given to a communications
deemed worthy OF your attention, have carefully con-
piled the following statement Of facts hoping that their
importance to Amersa ans will bring them to the notcs
Of the tnited States government tn such that
The results viii prove beneficial American commerce
And the American whaling interests in these waters
Some time since most conflicting civil broke out
amongst the natives Of these islands, headed by the
spectve chiefs who contendng for the supre ne
command of the Feejae terr ories The different chiefs
each having strong force under their command, and
being about equal in power the was protractea
and rgufnary one, and affairs remained in very
Settled state for time. During this period of
chy and bloodshed the natives committed many acts Of
cruelty and murder, and being oannibals ate all prison
ers taken in battle
The principal chief vonvaa, or Thakambau (King Of
Feejee) finding that the forces with which he had
contend of such strength that 1t to
seek assistance to carry the with security rallied
round him all the inferior chiefs who disposed to
espouse his cause (and being great visin)
~ commenced to attack and subdue all those not dis
posed to acknowledge him as King Of Feejee.
At this period II unfortunately happened that two
American whales wrecked at these islands, and
She fact being made known to the chief Thakambau by
Of his people, the all assscred roasted
and eaten and the vessels pundered of large amount
Of valuable property.
Shortly after wards Of the small tracing schooners
belonging to Of community-an American
doing business here, being . trading voyage
to some of the other islands, buying beche-le-mer
n this harbor and loading for Salem, MAssachu-
sstz attacked by the natives by order of Thsksm
bau the principal chief and after fendshly numbering
white people board of her aud hro Wing ths Into
the they puncered her Of every hing and drsggei
her ashore The excitement Of this besrtrending and
distressing circumstance had hardly day old when
additional reached two Of community
ing been dubbed at of the islands and upon In
vestigAtion We found it to be too true.
u
these islands, from Sydney, New South Wales find
ing that good field here presented tse for enterprise
and speculation, remained amongst There being no
one amongst them who q scientific mechanic,
(except one shoemaker,) and apparently being OF
educaton retained them to teach children
and to instruct and endeavor far possible to
vert the natives By degrees had the satisfaction of
observing that efforts in this audabe and interest
ing Undertaking productive OF benefit to the
nghted heathen and feeling convinced that the people
Of hese islands would readily embracs Christianity
they had the advantages OF proper persons instr
and guide them did what lay in power obtain
some missionaries to reside amongst us.
Not long after this, had the satisfaction and great
pleasure Of receiving into midst three worthy fathers
OF the Catholic church, who had their ~ from
France to ths far Of land in the discharge Of their holy
calling This event hailed with delight by all the
whites in Feeies and the results from the arduous
indetgable endeavors Of these gsnteme have been
productive Of much good in these islands.
fhe strangers who had appointed teachers to our
uies instead Of being animated by the noble and self
dsnyng examples OF the French missionaries In their
endeavors civze tie Feeesans undertook to inter-
re In the beneficial results being brought about
worthy een, and placed many obstacles in their
way Of attaining the holy for which they had
ri6ced much. At this crisis we consulted among
Ourselves, and determined to request the English
strangers to leave the holy work to the French MISSIONS
es, informing them that considered 1t perfectly safe
In their hands, hsd found them to be- gentlemen
who were in reality what they proiessed to be as dis
pensers Of holy faith A. the time we told them
that the islands offered splendid fortune
and we did not wish them to leave but that the
contrary, would do utmost to make them happy
and comfortable posi- e and to the person who had
the trade in his hands offered constant employment
- long he wished to remain amongst us We all pre-
ferred that the education OF little and others
should be entrusted to the experienced Of the
French fathers, % they came to With letters
Of Recommendation, speaking in high terms of
them gentlemen calculated to undertake and
psh the task Of civiog these savages and the cha
racter the English strangers oouded uncertain
ty and doubt, save which tended to
view them with asust and fearing that their resienca
In New South Wales had savored somewhat of eompul
00n We were cOnnrme0 o0uCI bnAt We naQ 0cV01
for the present benefit Of ourselves well for the a
ture bere eft OF our young families.
The war continuing, and the natives carrying sys
tan of plumber and murder and the insecurity Of life and
property being such render assistance and protac
su absolutely necessary the matter was referred to the
American government, and alter protracted delay the
United States ship st. Mays arrived at these islands,
With instrucons demand satisfaction and reparadon
for wrongs committed on American citizens.
The cupidty Of the natives however, overcoming the
ditcreon OF the commander and they promising not to
modest the white men any MORE after demanding
that the natives should pay for the property they had
stolen and satisfy us for the many murders and outrages
they had committed upon our community, the st. Marys
sailed.