Late News from China and Japan: The Friend, Honolulu (1853

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: Volume 10, #10. November 1, 1853. Page 76. 

Late News from China and Japan.
Whampoa, China,
August 10th, 1853. 

The steamers Susquehanna and Mississippi have returned from Japan. 

Commodore Perry with his fleet consisting of the above named steamers having in tow the Plymouth and Saratoga entered the hay of Jeddo in July last and were boarded by the Mandarins. An attempt was made to surround them as usual, with boats which the Commodore successfully resisted. 

The Commodore went on shore and entertained by the authorities sumptuously. He despatched the President's message to the Emperor, with the request for him to weigh well the matters therein contained, and take time to consider well his answer, for which he would again call in the spring, hoping thai it might be favorable. He then returned to Hong Kong, touching at Loochoo. 

The Mississippi came to this port this afternoon. Respecting the Rebels we have heard but little for (be last month. Our river and the sea are infested with Pirates. 

On the 5th the British brig Arratoon Apcar left Hong Kong for Calcutta, having, in part, a Chinese crew, 10 in number, and two China passengers, the balance of the crew consisted of Malays and one Portuguese.— About midnight, being about five miles from land, the Chinamen attacked the officer of the deck and murdered him, then rushed to the cabin, murdered the captain, chief officer, two passengers and a boy, a relative of the captain's being all of the whiles on board.— The Malays on hearing the struggle became alarmed and run tip into the rigging. 

The Chinamen after murdering all of the whites, robbed the ship of her treasure and valuables, then made their escape to the shore in the boats. After which the Malays put the ship about and succeeded in reaching Hong Kong next day. 

The crew of Chinamen were shipped here in Whampoa and most of them are known by the shipping agent which may lead to their detection. Three of them have, it is supposed been arrested. 

A few days ago two small armed vessels went out from Macao to attack a fleet of Pirates but found them so numerous and so well armed that they thought it not advisable to attack them and put about, the Pirates being in chase, and were glad enough to avail themselves of (be superior sailing qualities of their lorchas, in getting back to port. 

I write by the Hamburg brig Solide which is loading for Honolulu. The Captain having orders not to .carry any letters or papers, I have applied to the agents to get permission to send some letters, and supposing that you would not perhaps get any late papers, have written you a few items, supposing that this might possibly reach you before you received it from any other source. 

Your's respectfully, A. GREGG.