Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-10-23
DOMESTIC.
PHILADELPHIA. Oct. /,
SPANISH AFFAIRS

lie account OF the outrage COMPUTED
on the United States vessel of War Fire
brand, by two Spanish Government YES
sells, from correspondent, and subjoined,
appears to DC more oircumstantal than
any other heretofore received and may
be considered more correct, rs the writer
seems to have derived his AUTHORITY i'm
mediately from Capt. Cunningham. What
may he the consequ' noes Of this atrocious
act, 1t is impossible to foresee but it will
not undoubtedly be passed over with i'm
purity either by the government, or our
giliant tars-1f the former can submit 20
such indignities, the latter sviH NOT.
Extract from Correspondent. dated
ShieidSborough bay,s }
ST. LOUIS,
September 8, 1916 )
n circumstance has occurred, which.
IN the discharge of the duty have impos-
ell On myself. of keeping you acquainted
with the occurrences in this quarter,
renters this communication necessa~
ny.
" Yesterday morning, we were surpri-
sed at the appearance in the offing OF three
u. ,. vessels, VIZ. schr. Firebrand, ketch
Surpr ze, and gun-vessel Fox, the two
latter had Only sailed on Sunday last on
two rnon'h's c,uize, and the former was
not Exp oted foi some weeks. On land
irg ne oti'cers, we were informed, that
the F,rebra"d, capt. Cunningham, whilst
cru zi"g III the Gulph, in the neighbour
hood OF Vera Cruz. was most wantonly
attacked by two Spanish vessels Of w ar
the one heavy ship, and the other brig,
who, Notwithstanding the American flag,
was displayed, and that captain &. did all
IN his power to convince them of his being
an American vessel, did not cease an in
cessant fire, until they had injured her
very materially, and dangerously wound.
ed one man. When they required capt.
&. under threat of sinking his vessel if
he did not comply, to send his boat on
board.
An officer was accordingly dispatched
TO the commander, and on his getting on
board he was Immediately confined, and
the men turned in the Coal pit. An Off
csr with file of marines was then sent
from the Spaniards On board the Fire
brand, who took possr SIS on of the vessel,
Capt. Cunningham having caused his CO.
tours to be lovered, and his signals to be
thrown over beard. He then repaired
himself on beard the Spanish commander,
and rendered his sword, which was not
however accepted (; and upon enquring
the cause of the treatment he had receive
ed, he was informed that the Spanish Co
Vernnent had given orders to its cruisers
10 herni. no Foreign flag to sail in the
Guihh.
Captain Cunningham was detained six
or eight hours. during which time he
was treated in the most abomirable man
ner, an his crew severely beaten and in
sulted-The Spanish Commander told
an american. the Vice Roy of Mexico
would pay the damages done We hope.
however. that satisfa1 lien viii be obtained
IN another way as nest fortunately for
our government, they have now on this
station. three vessels, the Saranac, Boxer.
and lom Bowhne, either of which we
think, would he able to give these two
vessels drubbng. In returning to port
the Firebrand fell in with the other two
vessels before mentioned. and they came in
together for orders. 1t is unfortunate.
however, that the Commodore is not now
here, having gone to the Balize on public
business. He is expected back in few
days, when no doubt measures will be
taken to bring the naughty and imperious
IONS to a sense OF respect 10 our tars. In
tact, we should not be surprised if the
Boxer should fall in with these fellows
and settle the business fer them before
she can receive any further orders, as she
sailed on a cruize in that direction. In
the present very unsettled state of affairs
b1tween the two nations, / should be led to
tear that if our government was inclined
tor rupture, they might make this cir
cumstance serious cause of misunderstood
ing at any rate, think that the spirit
prevalent IN the Navy is likely to provoke
it.-[Gaz
= This PLACE is about go miles from NJ