The Brillante This corvette has been cruising for several months among the South Sea Islands, and has now come on to this port for a supply of stores and provisions. From the officers of this vessel we have received a confirmation of the total loss of the British Sovereign at Sandwich Island, and the murder of most of the crew by the natives. The Brillante touched at the island on her way from New Caledonia to Anatam, and they were informed of the circumstance by a native teacher, who also showed them a written statement from one of the crew (John Jones) to the effect that he was one of the number last attacked, and owed, his life and liberty to a friendly native, whom he had before known, all the others having been murdered excepting Tommy Weir, who made his escape at the onset. The barque Elizabeth having touched there subsequently, Jones left the island in that vessel. Nothing had been heard of the party who had proceeded to New Caledonia in the boat.

The schooner Velocity arrived at Anatam on the 25th August. Captain Kirsopp informed the officers of the Brillante that the brig Portenia had sailed for Sydney with 140 natives ; and that whilst he was lying at Rotumah with the latter vessel, a dispute arose between some of the crew of both vessels, with the natives, and a fire was opened on both sides, in which, we are sorry to say, a man named Rhodes, who we believe was second mate of the Portenia, was killed, and one or two others wounded. The Velocity would sail from Anatam for Tanna and the Salamon (sic) Islands, about the 2nd instant. The French brig Anonyme, hence the 4th August, arrived at New Caledonia on the 16th, and sailed again on the 22nd of the same month for the Salamon Islands, with the Roman Catholic Bishop. The schooner Spec, Burns, sailed from Balade, for Batavia, on the 17th July.

SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 252.

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