Star.
London, England, 1827-09-28 00:00:00

CADIZ, Sirs. 7.
• The following, which is a apecies of Manifesto, de-
claring war against the British flag, was published yes-
terday, in one of our Journals :-4, In consequence of
the complaints of our Government, founded on the pro-
tection granted at Gibraltar to smugglers and to priva-
teers, the enemies of our trade, the English Govern.
ment had no doubt, given orders to put an end to such
.an abuse. Besides the measures of precaution presented
by the British Government to the Governor of Gibral-
tar, not to admit privateers into the bay, and particularly
to prohibit any armed vessels from leaving it, the Eng-
lish Admiralty sent a frigate to carry into execution
the measures adopted by the Government. What were
the severe orders given to the Captain of that frigate?
This may be easily known by his actions. He cruised
very actively to look after the smuggling vessels which
left Gibraltar ; and whether armed or not, he captured
them, not even excepting those which were under the
English flag. He captured a great number of vessels,
which were publicly sold at Gibraltar for the benefit of
the captors. These examples frequently repeated, in-
spire such terror into the smugglers, that they believe
the moment has arrived when Great Britain regarded
it as unworthy of its greatness and 'dignity to grant
protection to these evil-doers. For our part, jealous
of the English, honour, we regarded this proceeding
as one of those acts of justice which do honour to
Governments when they practise the holy maxim
of doing unto others as they would. be done uato.—
But the agreeable illusion was soon dissipated.—
The frigate has left off cruising, and we snppose is re-
turned to Falmouth in consequence of the•voyage of
one of those interested in smuggling, who was probe.
bly commissioned by her companions to visit London.'
This unexpected event has again excited the hopes of
the smugglers, who have again united to canyon their
infamous trade on our coasts. It is no longer by secret
excursions that they injure our commerce—they now
proceed with the most impudent audacity armed ; so
that in spite of the peace which exists between us and
England, we are forced to behold, by a sort of strange
contradiction, the two flags at open war, and they meet
with mutual fury, whether it be in presence of the Spa-
niards on the coasts, or in the presence of the English
at Gibraltar. Was ever such a thing seen? And shall
We long continue to see a state of things so contrary to
the honour of both flags? The English flag was flying
on board the Lord Rawdon, a vessel armed with the
premeditated design of destroying the Spanish vessel
commanded by the brave Murilla. Nine ether vessels
armed were also under the same flag to attack and de-
stroy the flotilla of his Majesty, under the orders of
Francois Serafin, and they would have succeeded in their
enterprise if the latter had not terrified them by his bold
and skilful manoeuvres. But these armed vessels conti-
nued their voyage, in order to smuggle and even attack
the vessels of his Majesty.. Two of these smugglers
were in the Bay of Gibraltar, and while one of them
endeavoured to find refuge in the mole, the other, a
brig, in place of following the example, attacked a ves-
sel of the flotilla, which it is supposed was alone, and
fired very briskly into it with musketry. One Spaniard
was killed, and three were wounded. The brave Bal-
lesteros, however, continued the fight, and gave the rest
of the flotilla time to come to his assistance. The Com-
mandant Serafin called out to the brig to bring to, and
allow herself to be examined ; but the English brig,
far from acceding to the request, replied by firing.—
Could a more insolent provocation be seen ? Even if the
vessel bad been under the guns ref Gibraltar, what na-
tion would allow its flag to be pulled down without
daring to defend it? The English brig expected that
the batteries of Gibaltar would defend the English flag,
but they did not fire, believing no doubt that the brig
'mold conquer. When it was seen, however, that she
must give up to Spanish courage, then they thought to
snatch her from danger by their protection, which
might have taken place had the vessels been within gun
,shot. Can we see a mote scandalous transaction?—g
What will other nations say when they hear that vesseld
bearing the English flag, and even the artillery of Gi-
braltar, act against his Majesty's vessels destined to
'prevent the injuries caused to his subjects by thistle
guilty parties who are so much detested and punished
in England ? What would this power say if Spain wetel,
to act in the same manner towards her ? What has be.
come of the rights of nations and of property ? Bal-
lesteros ought then to have allowed himself to be es-
terminated by those who had the intention of doiug it,
and who made boasting threats, because they were in
sight of Gibraltar. „,,i.
The Commandant, Serafin, had too inu:h prudence
in not puni,hing with his guns the insult of the ag•
gressing brig, even if this latter had been under the
guns of the tom
Some per sons, no doet, will endeavour to persuade
~s that Great kliitaiii, so jealous of the honou(of her
flag. cannot avoid dem 'tiding satisfaction for the cir-
cumstances which were occasioned by the exertions of