THE FRENCH AND THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 3, 1 March 1846, Page 4

THE FRENCH AND THE SOCIETY ISLANDS.

CONFLICT AT HUAHINE. Two vesselshave just arrived from Tahiti. By the first we received information which we deemed of an encouraging character, because it afforded promise of quiet, and the continuation of the work of God in the Leeward Islands. It was to the effect that Admiral Sir G. Seymour, inpersuance of dispatches from home, had returned from the Sandwich to the Society Islands, in November, in order to ascertain whether the Leew rd Islands had formedpart of the Government of Pomare; because if they had not, the British and French Governments had agreed that they should not be included in the Protectorate. The French commissioner had been assured, by natives on his side, that they did belong to Pomare; but Sir George found evidence which satisfied him that each of the larger leeward islands had an independent Government. He therefore requested the French Commissioner to withdraw the blockade from Raiatea, and the officers who had been stationed, with the consent of a small minority at Borabora and Huahine. This the French Commissioner declined, but gave his word of honour, that all things should remain statu quo until the decision of the parent Governments should be known. Admiral Seymour left again for the Sandwich Islands in the end of November, having previously addressed to Tapoa, cheif of Borabora, Tamatoa cheif of Raiatea, and Ariipaia, female chief of Huahine, the following letter, “ 1, the commander in chief of Her B. M. Naval forces in the Pacific Ocean, acquaint you that it has been told the Government of Queen Victoria that the chiefs of the Islands of Huahine, Raiatea, and Borabora, deny that a treaty made by Queen Pomore could affect their islands, which have been always independent ofT .hiti. The British Government communicated this to the French Government, who answered, that if the islands shall be proved to have been independent, that they will not be subject to the French Protectorate. “It has therefore been agreed between the two Governments that evidence shall be taken to clear up the doubts which exist as to the independence of the Islands of Huahine, Raiatea, and Borabora, and the French Commissioner at Tahiti is directed by his Government to forward any testimony bearing upon the subject; and the officers under my command will be authorized to send any testimony to England which they may receive. The two Governments will then examine and determine whether the islands were independent or not. “ I have moreover to declare to you that the British Government considers all acts which may have been or may betaken taken in order to establish the French Protectorate in the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, and Borabara, and their dependencies to be invalid, and that their independencies should be respected, until the doubts which are entertained on the subject shall have been cleared up. “The French Commissioner at Tahiti has acquainted me that he will take no hostile me sures against you <\nring this inquiry ; and you will do well to leave the question of your independence in the hands of the Governments of Great Britan and France; to have patience; and to live during the period which must elapse before their decision can be made known.”

“Given on board Her Britannic Majesty’s Ship Collingwood off Huahine, Nov , 20, 1845. [Signed] “G. F. SEYMOUR.” The natives, having for twelve months previously been kept in a state of alarm, were well pleased with this arrangement, and many of them left their fortresses and began to cultivate their lands, which had been neglected for two years. But by the Coquette, last arrived, the intelligence is afflictive in the extreme. We have collected the following details. THE FRENCH AT BORABORA AND HUAHINE;

Battle at the latter Island.

Sir G. Seymour sailed againfor the Sandwich Islands on the 26 November. Nine tenths of the people of Borabcra still adhere to Tapoa their lawful chief; the other tenth has become a French party, and a French officer is there for their protection.

One of this party complained that Tapoa’s party had prevented him taking food from his own land. This the other party denied. The Frigate, “ Uranie,” Cap. Bonard, and the Phaeton steamer, therefore, were sent to Borabora, to resent this alleged injury. A fine was demanded, although the charge was denied, it waspaid ; but this did not satisfy; 300 dollars in cash was demanded, and, because two French vessels of war with many troops on board insisted upon it, it was paid, the Missionary having lent 100 dollars to make up the sum. HUAHINE. The alleged offences at Huahine were several,—the having sent into banishment three persons, (but who had the reputation of being friendly to the French, and one of whom had hoisted the French flag,)—the imprisonment of one Harris, an American who had been appointed French Pilot, for grossly insulting the Queen of the Island at a Public meeting,—the not holding friendly intercourse with the French ships,—not trading with them, nor allowing them wood and water. The latter charge was denied, the other matters very justly vindicated. Cap. Bonard, on his arrival about the middle of January, insisted on 600 dollars as a fine for these things, and that an Italian, named Riccardi, should be received as Deputy French Governor. Against all this the Queen Ariipaia, and her chiefs protested ; but Lieut. Scott, of the steamer Salamander, the only British vessel we believe in the Groupe, (who at great risk had gone from Tahiti to Huahine in a boat 14 feet long with only a single native attendant,) advised the Queen to comply, under protest. She agreed, but had not the dollars. And although Lieut. Scott, on his return to Tahiti generously advanced the sum, it could not be conveyed to Huahine in time. For, even some hours before the time appointed for the assembling of the chiefs to agree to submit, t he vessels were moved into a situation convenient for attacking the fortress, at Maiva. On seeing this movement, the Queen, chiefs, and people, left their settlement at Fare Harbour and retired to Maiva. Bonard then landed 400 men and burnt down the village, destroying every thing except the Chapel and Mr. Barff’s house,- and 3 or 4 more. Most of the white men joined the natives; but one (Harris) who had been appointed Pilot by the French, was sent on shore, with a boat’s crew from the Uranie to seize the boat belonging to the former Pilot. Whilst in the act of doing so, a white man advanced from the bush and shot Harris dead. This was on Saturday, Jany., 17th. The next day I the troops from the Uranie marched round the beach to meet those from the steamer. Fighting had already commenced, and continued the whole of the next day. Ariipaia, now more than 60 years old, led on her people and fought bravely. Twenty white men placed themselves in a pass and kept the whole French force at bay for 4 hours; they were at length surrounded but succeded in cutting their way through, leaving three of their number dead. The French were completely repulsed and discomfited. They acknowledege they had 25 killed and upwards of 40 wounded. The natives say that the French killed and wounded were upwards of 200, while they had only four killed. The truth perhaps is somewhere between the two. A great quantity of ammunition fell into the hands of the natives. The latter kept in the rocks and bushes, and took sure aim, while the French knew not where to fire, and where incapable with their arms and incumbrances of scaling the heights. The French retired to their ships, after burying their dead, and sent up the wounded to Tahiti. It was a melancholy sight to see them landed. Five died on the passage,, and five more on landing, and there had been some deaths since.

We most sincerely deplore all this, as all our brethren to the eastward do; for all have earnestly entreated the natives not to fight, but to adopt other means for securing their rights. We also tender our sincere sympathy to onr brethren on the groupe, and their families, and pray for the Divine sympathy and protection on their behalf, and that ere long the Lord may graciously interpose and restore peace to the islands, and prosperity to their labours ; not however being able altogether to supress our fears with regard to their ability to continue those labours.

And we implore the renewel of all peaceful efforts on the part of our friends to put a stop to these deplorable proceedings. Let them remember that this can only be done by repeated by reiterated effort. Capt. Hammond, of the Salamander, has protested against this violation of the agreement entered into by the Admiral and Governor, and has sent dispatches to the Admiral.

The police laws at Tahiti are becoming increasingly strict. A sentinel is stationed on One tree hill to prevent any one passing without a special permit, (natives without any burden excepted.) The names of all the native householders at Papeete have been registered, and forbidden to go to the camps on pain of losing their all; and not to receive additions to their families without a permit. The permits of Messrs. Barff and Thomson to visit Papenoo camp had been renewed for 3 months, the former being allowed (on account of inability to travel quick,) to go on Saturday, and return on Monday; the latter to go and return on the Sabbath.