The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-16

THE News FROM THE SOUTH PAcTFIc-THE
LATE SHOCKING EVENTS AT THE FEEJEE ISLANDS.
Our correspondence from the Feejee Islands,
published in another column, contains fear
full catalogue of atrocities lately commit
ted by the savages of that group on American
settlers and seamen. 1t will be recollected
that on the occasion of Lieut.. Wilkes visit
to this archipelago, in 1910, he took summary
vengeance on the natives for outrages perpe-
trated on our countrymen, and bound them
over to good behavior for time, by the threat
that he would return again in four years to
see if they kept the promises which they had
made to him. During the period specified the
Feejeeans seemed to have restrained their
brutal propensities; but after it's expiration,
finding that the American squadron did not
return, they recommended their former prac-
tices numbering and devouring the crews of
to be wrecked on their coasts. This dreadful
state Of things has been lately aggravated by
the intrigues of some English missionaries,
who, on arriving from Sydney in an almost
destitute condition, were Hospitality taken
into the houses of the American settlers at
Levuka, and entrusted with the educa-
ton Of their children. They repaid
the kindness Of their protectors by
instigating the native chiefs to make
mnrderous attacks upon them, and finally
burning their town. Two motives are assigned
for this ungrateful and unchristian conduct.
First, jealousy at the kindly reception Of some
French missionaries by their benefactors, and
secondly, a desire to further the political in
teIests Of their own government. In effect,
formal steps have been taken to procure the ces-
sion of the group to Queen Victoria; but owing
to the shrewdness of the native chiefs, who
seem TO have keen appreciation of the con-
sequences of such proceeding, they have
hitherto proved abortive.
The opportune arrival of the American
sloop ofwar John Adams, Commander Bout
we'll, has put stop for the present to the bar.
barities committed by the savages. After the
sharp lesson which this officer has given them
by burning several Of their towns, they will
probably remain for time in wholesome
dread Of American proves. But the facts de-
tailed in our columns strongly demonstrate
the necessity of our afording some more ef-
fectual protection to our commerce in those
distant latitudes than is derived from the rare
and chance visits of our vessels of war. Those
who denounce every attempt to Increase the
siren 9Th and efficiency Of our navy would do
well to reflect on the wholesale destruction of
life and property which is occasioned by their
mistaken notions Of economy. The use of
military marine, If we understand it rightly, is
as much to protect our commerce in distant
seas as to guard against the chances of inva-
sion at home. Had our squadron in the Pacific
been sufficiently strong, we should not have
had to record the deplorable events which are
detailed in the letters of our correspondents.
We may talk of our desire to check the mono
policing designs of Great Britain in quarters
where our interests are concerned, but we take
rather singular way of effecting that object
by allowing ignorant savages like these Feejee
cannibals to draw comparisons unfavorable to
our naval resources.