RUSSIAN'S AND AMERICANS APPEAL FOR BRITISH HELP.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 77, 26 April 1879, Page 3

RUSSIAN'S AND AMERICANS APPEAL FOR BRITISH HELP.

Victoria (B. OX February 15.—The ste unship California, Captain Thorn, left Sitka Alasta -on February 10, and arrived at Esquimalt on February 14. Much excitement prevailed in Sitka when she left the Indians having threatened the amiiliiliation of the whites. The citizens, armed, were awaiting their attack. The two Indians who murdered James Brown confessed their guilt, and were surrendered to the Collector, and are now on board the California en mute to I'ortland, to be turned over to the United States District Attorney to await the action of the authorities at Washington. Throe families tame down on the steamer fleeing from danger. Storekeepers are preparing to emigrate by the next .steamer.

Father Metropolsky and his congregation, in conjunction with the American citizens of Sitka, have petitioned Her Majesty's man-of-war, now lying at Esquimau, to conio to their immediate aid, fearful that they cannot allay the disturbances before the United States Government can seud assistance.

It is rumoured that Cutting and Co.'s cannery, about four miles distant from Sitka, is sacked and burned. Xo reliance is placed on the rumour, because the company have Indians in their employ who seem to be peaceably inclined. The Collector of Alaska has telegraphed to Secretary Sherman for aid. The Indians threaten to kill two white men in .retaliation for the two prisoners. The night before .the steamer arrived an alarm was given through some nervous person, ■creating the greatest consternation. The people barred their doors and stood ready for action. The priest's house was ■crowed flvith terror-stricken women and children, and they could not be induced to return to their homes till daylight. The steamer's arrival created more confidence, but fear began to gain ground at her departure. The whites are well organised, and in case they cannot conciliate the Indians, they will make a desperate right, if they are driven to the wall, .and are determined. James Brown was murdered in his cabiu while asleep. He was hacked to pieces with an axe, and his reumius'throwu into the ocean from a canoe. Plunder was the incentive, and much of his little property was found iu tho possession of the murderers.

Following is the petition above referred to:—" Sitka, February 2, 187!). To the Commander of 11.M.5. : Sir,

—We, the citizens of Sitka, Alaska, are now threatened with massacre by the Indians of this place. We have made application to our Government for protection and aid, and thus fur it has taken no notice of our supplication. We have now again begged protection, which we hope will be extended ; but the intricate forms of law through which our petition must drag its way will create a delay which may result iu our entile demolition before the arrival of necessary succour. Wherefore, we beg and pray that you will at once semi or come to our assistance. We beg you will lay aside all forms of etiquette between Governments ; that you will take the sid-i of an oppressed and threatened people; that you will let sympathy and charity dictate your decision —for before the acquired aid from our Government can be had, we may be past assistance. Our unprotected position is well known, and our appeal to you is iron) man to man. We ask help from you in the cause of humanity. Poverty prevents the greater number of us from fleeing. Our homes and little possessions, and, greater far the lives of •our wives and chihhtiu and ourselves, are iu jeopardy. Her Majesty's Government has been ever kuown for its promptness in assisting the oppressed of any nation, and we hope our appeal may not be in vain." The man-of-war then in Esquimalt was'piemptly despatched to render what help was needed.