The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1820-07-28 (London, England)

CCU. potion of this terrific monster) theta held him up by his feet. He appeared to he about 14 years of age, and was about half roasted. Mr. Leigh returned to Village, where be found severe, ',rewired, of the wove, seated in • circle. with a quantity of eoowery (a sort of sweet rotator) before them, 'widow for the roasted body of the youth. In this company were thews to him Me parents qf the child, expecting to share in the horrid feast ! His heart melted within him. After reasoning with them for about half an hour, on the inhumanity and wickedness of their conduct. he prevailed %Sidi them to give up the boy to be interred. and thus prevented them from performing the most cruel. unnatural, arid diabolical act of which fallen man can be guilty. The following is another instance of the barbarity of this people, which, in atrocity, even exceeds the emir. A few years ago, a Captain (whose name, as well as that of his ship, we do not distinctly remember), called at New Zealand to procure a quantity of timber. The natives, in order to revenge an injury which the Captain had done to a young Chief, laid a plot for the destruction of the whole crew. They agreed to supply the Captain with the wood Le wanted, hut relived to carry it to the ship till he had inspected it On shore. This towelled condition raised • suspicion of danger in the mind of the Captain, who therefore did not leave the vessel for three days, and took care to be well armed when any of the natives were on board. His apprehensions, however, soon began to die away, alld, being anxious to prosecute his voyage, lie ventured on shore, accompanied by a select number of his men. _Agreeably to a scheme previously concerted, 31 party of the Zealanders were stationed iii and about the ship, and the others on the beach. These fell upon and murdered the Captain and his companions as soon as they reached the lend, and having put on the sailors' clothes. they rowed towards the vessel.— This was the appointed time for a general massacre. Those natives who had remsined in the ship, perceiving who were in the boats immediately slaughtered the whole crew. with the excels. lion of only three persons. Their bodice, sixty. seven in number, were all taken on shore, roasted, and eaters.—This account Mr. Leigh had from the mouths of persons who were actors in this tragic scene, who also skewed him many of the bones of the unfortunate sufferers, and the remains of the vessel. The three individuals who were spared were living in New South Wales when Mr. Leigh left that country. Several other equally interesting facts were related by this pious and worthy Missionary, which cannot be inserted here on account of the inadmissible length to which they would extend this parsAmish. Let it suffice to notice, that, rintvrithshielding the almost incredible &wily of these cannibals, they are remarkably ingenious awl enterp • • g, very respectful to Europtaus, and discovered a surprising willingness and capacity to receive instruction, and to do as they are taught; and that Mr. Leigh intends shortly to rail, with six other minister., for New Zealand, and other islands in that part of the Pacific Ocrau.—(Boston (se. Mu%)