THE FRENCH AT TAHITI.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 81, 19 December 1846, Page 4

THE FRENCH AT TAHITI.

(From the " Sydney Morning Herald.") I G.entlemen,— ,Since the last severe battle,, * when the French w.ere repulsed in storming the native forts, little has been done. , The natives aie still in- their encampments, and occasionally send out foraging expeditions into the, country., The chief ofjthe district of Papara having' bei ome a ♦'frenchman/ his people are all in the native camp, and the) have attacked and laid waste his district. • , , , Jt is to. be { regretted that the property of foreigneishas,not been respected; but.the French set llie example.} they do npt respect neutral propei ty, and the natives conclude that if they spare it the French will take it. Even the pioperty of tbe Missionary of the distiict lias been seized by the French. His cattle have ,been Killed, and the Missionary must take -what the Governor's generosity may oiler as indemnity, or go without. I, believe that one half the market pi ice is proposed, and that too only fo.r those cattle which the Governor saw — all that were killed in the bush, by far the greatest number he refuses to pay for. 'I he piospects of Tahiti are now in a hopeles condition ; at least until the new Governor comes out. Queen Pomare and family are still on Raialea. What suffering has that poor woman had to endure. The neglect with which she was treated by Captain Hamond has cut deep. It has done morerthan all the tyranny of Fiance. "When she heard that the Salamander bad sailed for Valparaiso, without even a cold farewell, it almost broke the lofty spirit of the, Queen Abandoned, " deceived by all" she proposed submissio.nj but her people, Mho have been goaded to despair by luanny, unanimously deelaied for death , rather than submission. Tbe treaty has theiefore been bioken off. I cannot give, you any idea of the sufferings of the Queen. She signed the fatal deed to save the lives and property , of foreigneis — she protested against the violence cfqne to her, and appealed to England. A Britist^ij^ate appeared, encouraged her to look for British help. Encouraged thus, she lesisted the oppressors, who seized her country and, drove her away; she sought the protection of the British flag, — who sheltered hei for a time, then removed her to a foreign land and deserted her! British promises, which have not been redeemed, have ruined the ' Queen. SheiUustedJn the honpui: of England ; but England has only aggravated her misery and j deserted , her. Knglanddoes not even attempt to j remedy the .evil she h,as.donejby obtaining terms! for the Queen. They leave her to fight her way I ■with her ungenerous oppressor. Whether is the , tyranny of France or the desertion of England most worthy of condemnation. ! A few weeks ago, Bniat would not allow thej people to.treat with the Queen for permission toj submit. Now, the Queen was willing to submit, but the people prefer death J Poor Queen Pomare, she is a noble woman, and governs a noble people. She has concurred in their views, and we cannot see what awaits us. A RESIDENT.