Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1817-03-26

Imam from Messina." On tho 2otl
September, the Constellation, Java
land Erie, sailed for Tripoli, and no
flor the purpose of interceptinS tn
Ann nor were they ordered of SO il
consequence of an intimation from tn
'|governor to the commodore that if or
der was not kept on board, the fort
would be directed to fire on them :
hut because their services were re
quired elsewhere. The Gibralta
editor, in the plenitude of his mora
and conscientious rectitude forgot t
state that Captain Bell had secretet
on board his schooner an American
seaman, a dcscrter from one of thu
vessels Of our squadron /; that he hat
been demanded by Com. Chaumcey
and after a, refusal to give him up
taken by a boat from the Washington
whilst the Ann endeavored to sneal
out uf the harbor. No, no /; this
would SAVIOR too much of truth /: i
must be dressed up in another garb
and called a " false pretence" Of claim
and a retaliation" for their '.right
Of search" The influence of British
agency in many of the Medit rranear
ports, has given birth TO numerous re,
ports and publications relative to oul
affairs in that sea, and it is to be hop
ed that little or no confidence will bt
placed in them, but that they will bt
treated as the offspring Of mortified
pride.
THOMAS CRARB,
Lieutenant L. S. Navy.
Washington City, March %, 1916.
The following is the article from
the Gibraltar paper, on which the "a
bove letter is commentary:
From the Gibraltar Chronicle Of
Jan. b.
Fraeas between tho British and Ame
ricans at Messina.
The following particulars are given
on the authority of a gentleman who
has Just arrived from Messina--
On the 10th September, the schr.
Ann, captain Bell. of Malta, was ly-
ing in the port Of Msssins, waiting
for a cargo. The captain being on
shore, the mate observed on board,
under suspicious circumstances, a
man of color belonging to the Java.
American frigate. On endeavoriug
10 search him, the fellow knocked
the mate down. The crew Of the
Ann came instantly to bis aid; anil,
having overbauled the intruder. founT
concealed about his person some
leather, and other articles which he
had stolen on board the Ann. Aecor-
ding to q practice. not rnfrequent
among the British, they summari.y
tried him, without any reference 10
the civil power. and punished him
with a smart flogging. The mul ito,
on being released. repaired imne,
distely to the American commodore;
who, choosing to consider the affair
a. national insult, made a formal
complaint on the suLJeotto the Anne
,rican consul. The latter, in his
turn, represented the occurrence in
the most glowing colors in a note to
Mr.. Barker. the British Consul. An
interview took place the same day
between the two Consuls. and il vas
mutually agreed that the dispute
should be left to the decision OF thu
Sicilian government Next day to
|prevent any breach OF the peace
whilst the matter was under conside.
ration, an order was transmitted to
the mate of the Ann not to come on
shore Captain Bell. however, con
scious of having given no offence to
the Americans, went on shore and
proceeded 10 the billiard ROOM
There be was rudely aecosted by
three American officers. who asked
his name. He had no sooner replied,
than one ofthem called him a black
guard, the second liar, and the third
q coward; and challenged him to a
set-to. Nothing could be nore ac-
ceptsble to Bell, he happened to be
of Bristol met1e, and bad obtained a
degree of A. M, 10 the Pearce and
Beleher school. They retired to a
spacious room. and the conflict ter