The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-10-21

w(TSOOa
OF outrage. Persuasion and even threats were
made and offered to Capt. Chsumon, to aban'
don the Cleopatra, but they were nnavailing
On the I'd OF Sept. Capt. Chaumon Got under
way, but tte wind being light and ahead, be
came TO an anchor near the lighthouse, four
miles from town. The next morning the
crew, headed by petty officer, demanded Of
Capt. Chaumon whether he had not French
and an American commission, the fcrmer TOR
capturing, the latter to sail with Capt. Chau-
mon assured them that he had but one COM
mission and that was French, that his vessel
was not privatecr but letter OF marque to
establish which facts he produced and read TO
them the shipping articles which they had re-
spectively signed. Enraged at this disap-
pointrncnt, they by force arrested the vessel
from the captain and brought her int this
haibor, under the command of the pilot. %
their arrival they threatened the captain
with personal violence, and TO cut the cables
unless permitted to 60 on shore. Capt. Chau-
mon rcpsired on shore and cnquired for the
proper authority TO direct him in his embar-
rassed situation Asher Robbins, Esq Dis
trict Attorney, was pointed out TO him as the
proper officer accordingly he waited upon
the District Attorney, stated his situatioD,pro-
duced oil his papers, and requested his opin-
ion; the District Attorneys opinion was that
il was dangerous TO forco SO turbulant q crew
to sea, the safety of the vessel and perhaps the
preservation Of the captain's life depended
upon their being discharged to prosecute
the cpew for mutiny would occasion the de-
teniion of-ths vessel, and If prosecuted for
return of their advance wages, would be but to
increase expenses already tso great. Tho
crew were in the mean time landed AZ Fort
Wolcott and there safely kept for several
hours, during which tins seversl OF them Of
fcred voluntarily to return on board and pro-
cecd on tho voyage; they were, however, lib 4.
Grated from tho Fort.
The mex, day Capt. Chaumon was inform
ed that his vessel would not be permitted to
leave the harbor, he Immediately proceeded
to the Custom. House, the Collector politely
informed him as his vessel had been regular
ly cleared at New Bedford and had only stop
ped here, aAd as he had no goods on board,
nor intended to ship any, he had nothing to
do with his vessel, and she could proceed.
Capt. .Chaumon again commenced shipping
a new crew, without regard to what nation
they belonged, and without knowing eheIe cx-
istcd, il such q law does exist, any prohibit
ory law forbdding his shipping crew. On
the 10th inst. his vessel was ready 10 depart,
with crew consisting of 40 persons he pro-
cured pass form Com. Nicholson to pass the
fotilla, and pass from the commanding eff
Ger at Fort Wolcott to deliver at Fort Adams,
which passes were regularly delivered and
Immediately got under way;as aoon as he
got out of the inner harbor, he was fired upon
with balls from Fort -Wolcott, and immediate
ly came to as soon 40 tho vessel was anchor
ed gun boat anchored along side of ber,and
in few hours two more gun boats anchored
close by; Capt. Chsumon waited on Commo-
dore Nicholson TO ascertain why his vessel
was arrested, who declined giving any nfor-
nation until his return from Providence,
where he was going. On the Conmodore's
return he sent an officer on board the Cleo
patra, who ordered the first lieut.. to conduct
hen into the inner hArbor, which he refused
to do as the captain was not on board the of
6cer then made q similar demand of Captain
Chaumon, which was also refused, saying he
knew not why his vessel was arrested. Soon
after he received the following letter from
Com. Nicholson
Newkorf, October l6, 1919.
SrR-Your vessel, the Cleopatra is here
by forbidden to leave this port, until my fur
ther orders. My reasons for this prevention,
are, lst. information from the Collector Of
the Customs at New-Bedford, bearing
date the 2sth September and Cd October,
lsl3-snd, the decision OF the District At
torney in Boston, dated 9th September,lsl3
sd, tho Governor, 1t. Governor, Foreign
Consuls and Citizens of the town of New
port, SC. that you have violated the law Of
the United States, ped June S, A.D.l794.
(Sisned) JOSEPH NICHOLSON,
Cong. Naval Officer, &c. at Wewhors.
To Cahf. FRANcIs CHAuMoN}
French l.. Of NJ Cleohasra.
Capt. Chaumon proceeded on board his
vessel with intention of complying with the
CONS. order but before he reached hershe
had anchored in the inner harbor before she
was got under way, however, the major part
of the crew were taken out, but pat on board