The Sun.
London, England, 1842-10-04 00:00:00

THE RIGHT OF SEARCH.

THE CYGNET AND L'AIGLE.
The National publishes an article on the alleged
outrage committed by the Commander of the British
brig of war Cygnet on the French ship L'Aigle, off
the coast of Africa; which is accompanied with the
following documents :
PROTEST OF THE CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE AIGLE.
" Left Whyda at six o'clock in the morning. Wiitd
light, from S.S.W.; the sea rough. At 5 o'clock in
the afternoon we had reached the point of 6 degrees,
4 min. of north latitude and 37 deg. of east longitude,
when, having thought that a sail which we had per-
ceived before the wind for about an hour was a British
cruiser, we instantly hoisted our colours. But at
half-past 5 o'clock, the English brig not being satis-
fied with this demonstration, fired a cannon-shot at
us, the ball of which some of our men said they saw
fall at about a cable's length from the ship. We
had instantly backed our main-sail .to avoid a
repetition, but a moment afterwards a second
shot was -fired, which fell close beside the ship,
having pissed over it. To avoid injury we made
sail for the cruiser. The English Commander, instead
of hastening to join us, lay-to. Having approached
him, we lay-to to place ourselves at his disposal. A
boat was sent off from the cruiser with two men with-
out uniform, and in a costume which we might com-
pare to that of a French store-keeper, who came on
board us. One of them presented to me an authority
fr6m the French 111inister to search ships of our na-
tion. Although the proceding was illegal, and the
action arbitrary, I was obliged to yield to force, arid
delivered up my ship and cargo to them. I protested
in the name of my Government against this illegal
and arbitrary act, and in that of my owners and in-
tiurers against events which this delay might occasion
in consequence of the difficulty of doubling Cape
Formosa, which is highly dangerous. The captain of
the cruiser called the Cygnet replied to my protest,
and after having detained us during two hours and a
half, the two men, one of whom was intoxicated, left
us at liberty to proceed without signing our journal,
as is the ordinary usage. As captain of the French
brig Aigle, and conscious how much similar vexations
te lid to discourage orir merchant navy, and to injure
our commerce, I dri.w up the present statement (let
those whom it cone tmns render it available) and sign it
with my crew ant'i passengers.
" The 7th of July, 1842, 8 o'clock in the after-
noon." [Here follow the signatures.]

" REPLY OF THE COMMANDER OF TILE CYGNET.
" The Co..nmander of her Britannic Majesty's brig
the Cygnet, having been informed that vessels trad-
ing at Whyda, under the French flag, had taken slaves
from that. port, considers that he has a right to search
all ships which leave that port, and such is the case
with the -French brig the Aigle. He fired a shot in
order to bring the said ship to, considering that it was
his duty to do so, as night was approaching, and be-
caine he suspected the ship to be a Spanish or Portu-
gr.ese. The French Government has consented to a
reciprocal right of search with Great Britain, and the
cruizers ought, in. order to fulfil their duty, to detain
a ship a time sufficient to accomplish this object. Be-
sides, it is evident that all vessels trading at Whyda,
which is the most notorious depot for slaves, ought to
be necesF,aril suspected of being engaged in the slave
y
trade. " EDMOND WILSON,
Lieutenant and Commander:
" On bcxard her 'Britannic Majesty's brig the Cygnet.

TILE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION.—The quar-
terly general meeting of the Committee and Subscribers
to this eixcellent in stitution was held
tonlast night at the
offices of the Secret ary, Mr. Thistle, No. 7, Blooms-
bury-pla ce. The Se cretary read a Report, which stated
that the institution is as in a flourishing- state, and con-
.eluded w ith a stateme at of the receipts and expenditure.
'There was a full meets g, but no discussion took place.