The Enquirer

The Ship Portland, formerly of Boston, capt. Mellin, is said to have been cut off at the Friendly Islands, in the Pacific Ocean. The accident is supposed to have happened about 15 months since. The Portland left Batavia nearly three years ago, when the Dutch Government, having claims on the ship, wished to detain her. Capt. Mellin proceeded to the Isle of France, the Cape of Good Hope, and then passed round Cape Horn, & touched at the Friendly Islands. Upon the boats landing, the natives suddenly seized her with the crew, and then got possession of the Ship. It is conjectured that no person on board was spared by the natives, save a Malay woman, who was seen on the islands by a Ship which sailed from Manilla under American colours.

This ship lost her boat's crew here, and came near being captured by the islanders who made a desperate attempt against her.

The account of the loss of the Portland is given on the authority of the Malay woman. Vessels touching at any of the islands in the great Southern Ocean, ought to be always on their guard against the designs of the natives.