Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-08-26
NoRFnLK (Anrnst Is

gentleman lately from 81. CroiX, has
favored us with tie following statement,
which we do not recollect to have seen
noticed in any of the papers, though it is
more than month since tile affair 10
which it relates TRANSFERRED. Some Anne
rican sailors belonging TO The snip Clean
er, OF New York, while at West Eud,
ST. CroX, went ashore one evening and
got into 4 fray with part Of the crew of
a Danish government vessel The Ame-
ricans, though fewer in number than their
antagonists, came OF victorious, having
hani:led the Danes very roughly they
then retired peacefully TO their ship
The next day Il barge from the Danish
vessel put of with number of sailors,
but no officer, and rowed towards the
Cleaner. When they got within speak
ing distance, they laid on IT, r oars and
LET fly a vo!ley of abusive epihets at our
tars-wlo, TO do them justice, were not
slow IN returning it; but it seems shat
this worldly warfare did not satisfy fiiem
altogether, though the o,his were no doubt
ii their favor; for they pelted the Danes
with whatever missiles they could lay
their hands on, which caused those
doughty champions To consult their safe
ty by precipitate flight. A formal
complaint was thereupon made by the
Danish officers to the Governor of the
Island, of the great indignity which the
crew Of the Cleaner had offered to the
Danish flag!
The Governor Immediately held a
Court OF Examination, and all the Clean
er's crew were ordered ashore to be tried.
The Americans had the benefit OF the
best Counsel the Island afforded, and the
public sentiment was almost wholly in
gi,ni. iio 81,
proved to have been the aggrcss0rs in
every instance, and both the law and eyi-
donce completeiS acquitted lie hneri-
cans OF the charge upon which thy were
arraigned Yet lie righteous Governor
decided, that, although there was nothing
established against iheni which could me-
rit punishment i'll the eye Of the law, it
was nevertheless necessary that an exam
pie should be made of one Of their parly,
III order 80 appcase the clamours of the
plaintiffs /! He therefore commanded
that the Steward of the Cleaner should
be selected for punishment, and receive
f,veJify. fUs iGSheS! 1t wasin vain that this
poor fellow plead the injustice and hard
ship OF the sentence 1T was IN vain that
Gin the true spirit OF an American tar) lie
besought them to shoot him, rather than
subject him to the disgrace of IA public
flogging and il @as equally invaln that
his Captain, and the respectable Counsel
employed in his behalf, demonstrated a.
gainst tue scandalous proceeding: the
sentence was rigidly executed, and the
0lau was whipped
The American Consul at St. Thomas
was Immediately appraised of this dis
graceful proceeding, aud, we learn, dreS
up a formal statement of it, which he
transmitted TO our government by the
Schooner Mary-AnD, Captain Rhodes,
who arrived at this port short lime
since.
Il Is unnecessary TO comment upon This
fragrant outrage, which carries IFS own
appeal TO the feelings of every American
Citizen. We have the fullest confidence
in our government, that twill never per
nit even the meanest Of IFS Citizens 10 be
abused oroppressed by foreign govern
mont, whatever may be tile consequent
ces. HyGM