Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-10-19

were to SO to Vera Crnz, and If the COVER
nor found it all right, he would pay the
Expense OF our detention, real Spanish
sentiment, dollars salve for wounded
honour and outraged feelings. Our vessel
was searched, and being prisoners, the
signals, &c. were sunk. The Spanish Leu
tenant was again hailed, and proceeded to
the Diana, and shortly after we were graf
fled by the return of our commander, Lieut..
Campbell, and the gigs crew.
captain Cunningham when he entered
on board of the Diana, offered his sword
a. prisoner, which was refused. and he
was told that he must follow the Spaniards
to Vera Cruz. which he Indignantly reject
ed h reply was, that as they had so
vastly superior force, thy might take
him where they chose, but that he would
follow no vessel. and that he should repre-
sent the whnle transaction to his govern
ment n scene Of vulgarty, confusion,
and abuse, passed on board of the Da.
ma. that would disgrace an American cabin
boy.
1t is owing to the 6rmness of captain
Cunningham, that we have been enabled
to reach cur own shores, and that i have
this opportunity to address you. For am
firmly convinced, that no different treat
ment would have been measured to a nom
combatant, than was inflicted on our sal
iors. letters and lashes. The official state
ment of the outrage to American citizens,
has, pr sumo, before this, been transmit
ted to Washington. And it is impossible
to doubt. that Just and high minded gov
eminent will Immediately take measures to
redress her violated rights, and afford to
mertorious officer an opportunity of eff
facing from the Star Shangled Banner, the
coward,y insult, and ruffian outrage inalc-
ted upon it.
The American navy has she'd too much
ct its precious blood to give to our name
reaown. and cur glory splcnlor which
viii b. lasting and brilliant, it is too great
favorite with the American people, not
at once to point to the cabinet the only
means at wiping from its standard, blot,
with which cowsrds, backed by a vastly
superior force, have attempted to stain it.
10 me who saw all that passed, there is
not doubt that the Spaniaris, by their
outrage, and vulgar abuse, wished to pro-
woke to some act ofhostility, that would
afford them prctcxt for our indscrimi-
nate butchery.
They stood ready to discharge frcmstwo
large vessels. 40 heavy guns, against a
small vessel Of eight guns. They fired
without mailing, they continued their fire
after they ascertained who we were. they
fired once afler ouv lieutenant was on board
their vessel. they abused us by every Vulgar
epithet, thy Imprisoned our officers, and
logged our men, they made disgraceful
propositions to us, they deliberately aimed
atsour romma lander, searched our vessel,
and stiSmatised the worthy Porter as pi.
rate.
And, sir with me, after this recital, you
will be compelled to believe, that they
intended to sacrifcs us to their dastardly
and ignohle passion for assassination. But.
thank God, we were saved by the firmnrss
and prudence of our commander, who
calmly stated who and what we were, aud
Indignantly rejected proposition, not con-
slstent with the character of an American
officer TO accept--owing to him, We have
the opportunity of compla ming to the Anne
ri an government of the waiIton violence
offered TO its citizens. and the base at
tempt to tarnish the reputation of its flag.
To its justice we appel, knowing by ex
perience that our government will be
prompt to redress our wrongs, and uphold
the honor of ourilag.
/ am, &c.
p. Sit would be well for our govern
nent to examine the validity of the right
assumed by the Spanish king to the xcIu-
sive navigation Of the Mexican Gu ph.-
Their declarations show what they v ould
do if they were backed by courage and
force.