TAHITI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume I, Issue 43, 1 November 1851, Page 2

TAHITI.

We have the particulars of a circumstance which recently occurred at Tahiti, which is likely to cause a great deal of excitement when it becomes known in England. It appears that the French authorities are in the habit of holding fetes on a Sunday, at which the natives are gradually initiated into the vices and follies which are practised on similar occasions in Paris and other French towns. One of these fetes was proclaimed for Sunday, the 4th of May last, in honour of what is facetiously called, " the adoption of the constitution." On the previous Sunday, the Rev. Mr. Howe, of the London Mission, preached on the duty of keeping the^Sabbath day holy, and warned his congregation against taking part in the approaching festivities. It was reported that Mr. Howe had spoken against the government, and an apology was demanded; this was declined, on the ground that nothing had been said that the government could construe into an insult to itself; the sermon was an exhortation to keep one of the commandments, and a charge to his congregation not to visit places where vices and follies were practised. Notwithstanding this disclaimer, the government held that Mr. Howe had " spoken against the ruling power," which it seems is punishable by the laws of the French republic, with imprisonment to the extent of two years, but instead of proceeding against him under the law, when he would have had an opportunity of defending himself, the Governor ordered Mr. Howe to quit the island in a month, and at our latest dates he was preparing to proceed to Europe. By the next arrivals we shall hear further particulars of this most extraordinary case, which, with English ideas of such matters, appears almost incredible. At the very time when people of all creeds, and all nations, were assembling in England in thousands, when priests and ministers of all religions were preaching in London in all the tongues of the civilized world, a humble Protestant missionary is banished from Tahiti by the French authorities for warning his flock against breaking the fourth commandment. Arbitrary and despotic as republics generally are, we can hardly think it possible that the French authorities will uphold the conduct of their deputy. CALIFORNIA.. The following letter, published in a Sydney paper, will shew the awful state of society in California :— San Francisco, June 30, 1851. Gentlemen, —Perhaps if you have a spare corner in your sheet, you will kindly clap in this, The subjoined letter was written for the Alta California of the 24th inst., two days after the almost tragic occurrence winch gave rise to it. That journal would not publish it, nor indeed will any other here, for the simple reason that no one can controvert it. The facts are too stubborn to be put down . and bear too hard upon the " Vigilance Committee, ' whom they all wish to uphold—at least seemingly so. At the bottom the probability is, there is more fear than either love or admiration. San Francisco editors are very voluble and pugnacious, like most

others, when the danger is remote. But to grapple with it at the threshold requires nerve; and the "Committee of Vigilance," as a foe, is omnipotent. So they smooth down this—almost murder—with an " unfortunate occurrence," which I forward you to issue conjointly with this. But a few days ago, as the good people of Australia are aware of,, a fellow-creature was hanged in this city, in open violation of the laws of civilization. " He was a burglar," they say, and a " Sydney man." Granted—and granted also he deserved death (which people are beginning now very much to doubt). Here then am I, "who am neither, and who can, in the public columns of a newspaper, defy the world to point at me the finger of scorn; or for one being to step forward and say he has known me to do a dishonourable thing, I who in every land have not only conformed with its esta- , blished laws, but also the national and social prejudices of its people, to the utmost scope of consistency ; I also was seized in the midst of a " thousand free and enlightened citizens " of a State of the American Union, in the middle of a public square, and all but " Lynched;" yea, but for my acquaintance with two or three men of affluence, who can tell but I should have shared the same fate as Jenkins, the burglar. However, to give you the letter. To the Alta California. June 24, 1851. Messrs. Editors, —I have waited until now, thinking that some amongst my acquaintances whose pens are abler than mine, would set forth my tale. However, as they have not, I shall,—though but little qualified mentally or physically,—the results of the rough handling I received in reward for services rendered the commonwealth. To make this known will be, I hope, of benefit to the public ; if not make them wiser and better, it should certainly insinuate to them discretion in the exeTcise of the primitive law which reigns, and as wiser heads than mine say, justly, in this land. It is not my purpose, nor indeed province, had I the ability to discuss the social politics of San Francisco, or to reflect ought to the prejudice of that " active and decisive" body of her citizens, who have enrolled themselves under the banner of " Vigilance." So you will, I hope, give publicity to this. Sunday last, on the first alarm of fire, I landed from the barque " Timandra," of which I am the master, not with the idle intent of sight-seeing, to stand aloof on hill or house top, and view with gloated eye, and lighted cheroot, the rapid strides of the devastation. No, but to yield my mite towards arresting its career, and snatching property from its grasp. Both these in turn, I did, together with many more of my professional brethren, and whose only interests in San Francisco are good-will, sympathy, and esteem for her suffering citizens. I first repaired to the abode of an acquaintance of slender means. I found his house in flames gone beyond redemption; next I proceeded to the Customs to procure my ship's register. Thence duty directed me to tender my service to Messrs. Davidson and Argenti, both these gentlemen being connected with the vessel I command. I laboured with the first until their office was absolutely cleared, then remained at the force pump of the latter till the pump became dry. Not to continue inactive, I wandered forth to give my services where required, and I hope it may be assumed from my position, gratuitously. In crossing the Plaza, from the way of Kearney street, I saw opposite to where the Alta California Office had just stood, a burning tar barrel. Its close proximity to sundry packages of merchandise gave uneasiness to some, speculation to others, and who knows but pleasure to not a few. Still, of all the medley group, not one seemed to adopt means to extinguish it. I stept forward, and with a drag of my feet along the ground, threw sand and ashes upon it, so as to smother it. This simple idea was caught, and a man who, till now looked somewhat, perplexed, brushed up, and seemed to wonder it had not occurred to him before. Yet was lie puzzled for means of application, he wanted a shovel. I took a piece of sheet-tin, of which there was an abundance lying about, to substitute a shovel, and remarked that necessity always found means. At length, after some five minutes perhaps, a shovel was brought by a large idle-looking fellow, and thrust iiito the hands of a small boy. The little fellow f could hardly raise it. This was cowardly. " For shame," cried I, " in a moment all these things will be fire. Why don't you work? you see I do, who have no interest at stake. Now work." This was the " head and front of my offending." "The d 1 you haven't," quoth he, " then, why do you order me, a citizen ! —and be d dto you. You likely set it on fire. You likely set it on fire." I saw at once my position, and endeavoured quietly to retire, but no, the fellow made a big noise. In a moment I was surrounded, and cries of " thief, thief, Sydney thief," and " take him to the Committee," became astounding and universal. A man of powerful frame rushed forward, and seized me violently by the throat, in the name of this Committee, followed by many others of like character and brutality. By this time a mob of many hundreds had assembled from all quarters. The regular police force

demanded me, the Vigilance refused, the most horrible imprecations were bandied; revolvers pointed, bowie-knives glittered and clashed. My position became fearfully critical. I could perceive that the " Vigilance" were the most numerous and mighty, hence expressed my wish to be tried by them. Every declaration of my innocence, name, and capacity was unheeded, nay, it exasperated them the more ; so when I cried, "try me by the Vigilance Committee," I yielded to necessity. Had I appealed to the legal force, sought their aid and protection, I have no hesitation in saying, that I should have met with almost instant death, for my captors looked upon me as so entirely theirs, that to part with me living to the officers of the law, to be placed by them for a week or two in the county gaol, and then allowed to escape, was too monstrous to be thought of. No, the city had been burnt; the citizens cried aloud for vengeance; I was the victim, my blood was to quench the flame, and extinguish the embers. Then again would their " fair city " arise, Phoenix-like. However, since the police had been subdued, I was ushered more quietly along, until about the middle of Montgomery-street, when suddenly a fearfully tremendous rush was made upon me _ from all sides. "He is known, hang him, hang him," became the almost unanimous yell of the multitude. At the same time, a ruffian, who had screwed his way through the crowd, looked at me for an instant somewhat eagerly; then, with clenched hand struck me forcibly in the face, and my blood streamed profusely. This villain swore to the mob that he had known me to prowl about for the last six months; he then took me by the hair with both hands, and tugged it fiercely. Divers others to shew their new :zeal for the new sham of justice, did the same; and the most zealous and sincere, to prove indisputably their abhorrence of me, accompanied it with a few kicks and twitches of the nose, and finally attempted to strangle me by my handkerchief behind. This, thank God, when all but dead, I succeeded after a violent struggle to unloose. The excitement of the people had now become so great, that " hang him up to the lamppost," was the cry, and forthwith they proceeded to make the necessary arrangements. This was opposed by a powerful party of the " better disposed," who kept me in their grasp, and around my person. These men of course thought like good citizens, and cried '• try him first," aye, and insisted upon it. They were men who had the interest of the city at heart. A trial and public execution in an hour or so, in the Plaza, in sight of the " Liberty Pole," would have a more grand and salutary effect. No one doubted my guilt: all knew me to be a thief, with pretty good grounds of suspicion for incendiarism also. Even the man who first arrested me, and still remained with me, asked no questions of his bosom or of another, ere he committed the rash deed; and had I been murdered quite instead of nearly, the citizens would merely have said, " tis a pity," then reconciled themselves to the act in fact, '"that the public mind was excited." Not a sting of conscience, not one pang of remorse would have visited them, their faith is, "better six innocent men die than one guilty shall escape."

I was now conveyed through the door-way of the" Vigilance Committee's" judgment hall, and passed rapidly through that body between two guards into an adjoining closet, crushed, bruised, bleeding, and naked. Two watches had been taken from me, one only was restored, less half the chain ; the missing one is a silver one, chro. balance, jewelled in every action, No. 2or 20, (I think) Joseph Sewell, South Castle street, Liverpool, in full upon the plate inside. It was now ascertained who I was, every manifestation of regret and apology was made, I was clothed, and conducted to apartments. Poor amends for the past. What, I ask, could compensate for such a flagrant and monstrous outrage ? No pecuniary remuneration, no, its acceptance would be humiliation—restore me my watch, keep your dross. Publish these facts, and let the world comment. Such at present is all I ask. Isaac Harris. The above is the letter the Alta California fears to publish. Such are the wrongs an Englishman has received in the presence of his Consul, who fears to act, indeed few would, unless with a regiment of " Guards "to back him. All I can do is to ciiculate it widely, and " bide my time." The danger and personal suffering was mine. The dishonour and insult is sha red by every Briton. Messrs. Editors, I would also that you rose your trumpet tongues against emigration from the fair shores of Australia to this land. Every species of insult may be offered with impunity, indiscriminately to all. Blood-hounds under the specious names of " Liberty," and " Order," roam continually on the great work of exterminating the Australian. This is no fable, therefore why should he leave a land capable of conducing to his own and his children's happiness, to become a marked man, and a reproach among the heathen. Your's truly, I. Harris, Master of the British Barque Timandra.