The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-25 00:00:00

CRUISERS and MERCHANT-SHIPS.

It must at aji times be a matter of regret when misunder
standings arise between our cruisers and the merchant-ships
of other nations, and, although we should be disinclined to
believe ex parte statements, and can readily imagine that
the obstinacy of sea captains does often render the duty of
our naval officers very unpleasant, we think it may be as
well to point, out any statements made against the latter,
with a view to. their being contradicted if incorrect or ex-
aggerated. The American journals have recently published
a case, upon which they found some remarks as to the neces-
sity of increasing their naval force in the Pacific, where they
have about 600 ships engaged in the whale fishery. From
the New Bedford Mercury we take the following particulars
of the grievance alleged :
" Capt. Pierce of the whale ship General Pike, of this
port, has furnished the following statement for publication in
our columns, relating to the treatment to which be was sub-
jected by the commander of the British brig-of-war Hazard,
at View Zealand, in April last.
a, The imperious manner in which British ships of war
acted towards unarmed American vessels previous to the
ratification of the treaty on the right of search between the
two nationr, subjecting said vessels to insult on the bigh
seas and placing them oftentimes to much inconvenience, has
been again practised in a foreign obscure port towards ships
bearing the sacred symbol of American liberty and inde-
pendence.
" On the 24th of April, 1843, we made the Bay of Islands,
New Zealand, for the purpose of procuring recruits for the
General Pike, of New Bedford, requisite for a homeward-
bound passage. We had been on a whaling cruise of several
months, and in our anxiety to obtain what oil we wanted,
had nearly exhausted our water. The pleasing anticipation
of obtaining in that beautiful bay a relief from distress, was
fully manifested in the countenance of the whole ship's com-
pany. Our pleasure was of short duration. We had sailed
down the bay but a short distance, when we were boarded
by a person dressed in the naval costume of a British officer,
ordering us to leave the harbour, and denying us all commu-
nication with the shore. I informed him that we were in no
condition to put to sea, as we were nearly destitute of water.
The only satisfaction he gave me, was a recommendation to
another port. The reasons assigned for the orders I received
were, that the natives had thrice cut down the flag• staff
bearing the red cross of England, and showed by so doing
their intention of not submitting to the laws imposed on
them by Government. The sloop of war Hazard was in
port at the time, and her commander considering it an out-
rage upon their escutcheon, as a summary punishment de-
nied us and other American vessels the privilege of procuring
supplies from them, thereby cutting off all their trade. Find-
ing all importunities in vain, I accordingly prepared to take
my departure, and commenced beating my ship out of the
bay, although with the prospect of an approaching gale. At
that instant a sail was descried at the entrance of the
harbour, running in, which proved to be an American whale
ship, also bound in to recruit. After a consultation with her
captain we concluded it was more prudent to put back, which
we accordingly did, and dropped anchors at a respectable dis-
tance from the Hazard. While in the harbour, waiting for
a favourable breeze to put to sea, I took the liberty of visit-
ing the commander on board his ship, thinking that he
might be induced to allow me the privilege of obtaining the
necessary supply of water, on consideration of the emergency
of my condition, and as it could not have effected his
relations with the natives. He, however, continued inflexi •
ble. I was threatened in the presence of my crew in the
most unjustifiable manner. I returned to my ship with the
proud consciousness, at least, that all nations had been taught
to respect the American flag, and expected no further griev-
ances from him. On the morning preparatory to my putting
to sea. I was desirous to glean some information respecting
the nearest and most suitable port to recruit my ship, and
accordingly I lowered a boat, with the intention of going on
board a vessel lying a short distance from my ship, the cap-
tain of which was an old acquaintance. I had not proceeded
far, however, when I perceived a cutter sent off from the
Hazard in pursuit of me. Thinking I had innocently coin-
niitted some act not in accordance with the worthy comman-
der's liking, I immediately returned on board. The cutter
soon afterwards came alongside, the officer of which theatened
if I persisted in holding communication with any persons in
the bay, to fire not only into the boat, but into the ship making
myself and crew suffer such punishment as the noble com-
mander thought proper to dictate. Such is a statement of
the facts; which I humbly submit to the public."