MAURITIUS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 382, 21 June 1861, Page 3

MAURITIUS.

(From the Melbourne Herald.) By the James Wilson we are in receipt of Mauritius papers to the 2Cth March. We take the following from the journal of that date.

CAPTURE OP A SLAVER.

H. M. S. Sidon, Captain B. B, Crawford, anchored in our harbor on Saturday night with 260 Africans on board, taken from a dhow captured off the north of Madagascar on the 20th February. The Sidon touched at Johanna on the 4th March, and has had scarcely any sickness on board. Some of the Africans were in so weak a state when taken, on board that could scarcely ■tend, but only five deaths have occurred. 4f ttafQ ia »o ffciam on towtf* &3 #"**

cans have been landed at the Immigration Depot. Thero are 130 men, 61 women, 57 boys, 12 girls=26o.. They will no doubt be. distributed on the same conditions as those by the Manuella. From theirhealthy condition thero is less likelihood of the same mortality amongst them, especially if proper precautions are taken with regard to their diet.

LOSS OF ri.M.S. WASP.

The Sidon brings news of the total loss of the Wasp in the Mozambique channel. The vesfel was lately repaired here. By the same opportunity we learn that the Manuella (Enchantress) was lost off Mayotta, with 800 tons of coal on board. In both these accidents it is reported that the crews were

saved.

DR. LIVINGSTONE'S EXPEDITION.

H. M.S. Sidon. left the Cape of Good Hope in charge of the Pioneer, a small paddle steamer destined for the Zambesi, and the expedition in that locality under Dr. Livingstone, and intended for the exploration and civilisation of Central Africa, with several gentlemen connected with the Oxford and Cambridge Mission. The JSidon arrived with the Pioneer off the Kongoni mouth of the Zambisi, all well on the 30th January, where she was joined by H.M.S. Lyra, bringing also. for the Zambisi expedition his lordship Bishop Mackenzie.

The Pioneer proceeded some little way up the Zambisi, but it is reported she is not an efficient vessel, drawing too much water (only 4 feet) for the exploration of the river absurdly termed the Great Zambisi, water which should more properly come under the head of streams passing through the delta emanating srom the well-known river Quillimane.

Be this as it may, the Portuguese, who are doubtless occupied in carrying on the slave trade in the position alluded to, threw some impediments in the way of Livingstone's laudable pursuits, and assumed their ill-directed territorial rights, by constructing a custom house and barracks expressing the intention of levying dues upon the goods and chattels of the Pioneer.

It may also be remarked that the anchorage of the Zambisi is most unsafe,' fully seven miles off the land or rather mud banks, and quite in the open sea, rolling and tumbling the ship which ventures to approach these lagoons nearly gunwale under, little encouraging to the enterprise of British merchants, with the threatened exactions of a Portugese custom-house.

However this may be v the worthy doctor and his enterprising associates made a rapid retreat from the Great Zambisi on the morning of the 12 th February, leaving in the Pioneer the same evening for the River Booooma, somewhere on the east African shores in about 10° 30' S. lat., as the next best chance of gaining Central Africa at the same time that Bishop Mackenzie went on to the Rooooma in H.M.S. Lyra.

On the 28th ult. she fell in with the wreck of Manuella (Enchantress), lately condemned at this port as prize to H.M.S. Brisk, and subsequently purchased into the Government service as tender to H.M.S. Forte. The Enchantress whilst pursuing her way to Johanna struck upon a dangerous coral reef to the westward of Mayotta on the morning of the 20th February; the crew escaping in their boats, were received by H.M.S. Lyra all safe at the town of Mayotta, where they had received the utmost attention from the French authori-

ties.

The Sidon succeeded in obtaing a quantity of coals and stores from the Enchantress with great risk- and damage to the boats, being glad to get clear of this dangerous reef with the loss of an anchor. So much for this brief and unfortunate cruize of the Enchantress, which does not, embrace all "the disasters of Mozambique cruizing, for upon reaching Johanna, we are informed that H.M.S. Wasp had been wrecked to the north of Ibo, about the last week in January, the crew having arrived in safety at Zanzibar. This does not seem to be a very flourishing aspect of affairs, as refers either to her Majesty's ships.or the so much discussed Zambisi expedition. Indeed the latter may be pronounced a falure, or at least for the present is not in a very promising condition.

CfIOLEKA AT PORT LOUIS.

The Hyderee, of fatal memory, anchored at Flat Island yesterday, with the cholera on board, The steam tug Victoria Jeft this day to bring away the prisoners there, and as soon as the island is free the immigrants will be landed. Dr. Jaques is already there ready to receive them, and the station is well provided with every accommodation and comfort, tinder these circumstances, and with more than one favorable example before us, we may hope for the rapid recovery of the invalids.

Cochin China.—News from Saigon, in China, up to the 28th February. On the 24th of that month a battle took place between the Anamese and the French and Spanish forces." As usual, the allies were victorious, storming and taking the enemy's fortified camp, as well as a -large quantity of arms and ammunition. The French are said to have lost three hundred rank and file, killed and wounded. One French general was killed, and a Spanish general died from exposure and fatigue soon after the battle. The Spaniards have lost about thirty-five killed and five wounded. The enemy's loss is said to have been something tremendous. It is supposed that this victory will most likely have the effect of inducing the natives to look at matters in the light the French wish them to. The Batavian news bears date up to the 2nd ultimo. The principal topic is a severe flood, which has lately devastated Java. Some 50,000 persons have lost everything they possessed, and three or four thousand lives have been, sacrificed* A subscription, is being raised at Singapore and the. other glands (or the