The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-05-16
BRITISH AGGRESSION.

BRITISH AGGRESSION.
Our readers will not have forgotten the
account published in tbs paper of 18th
April, from the Fredericksburg Herald, OF
the outrageous conduct Of the British brig
of war Argus, towards the sch. Sarah Ann
Of that port The following letter, re-
ceived BY yesterdays mail. from captain
Bradford Of fhe schr. Industry, furnishes
another instance of the shameful depreda-
tons committed on American vessels by
the Argus, while cruising off Bermuda,
Notolk Beacon.
Elizabeth City (N e .Nay7.
Messrs. Shields, Ashburn 4. Co.
GENTLEMEN,
| lief. this port in the schnr. Industry.
! 9th February, last, bound for Bermuda.
On the 9Th March, off St Georges, Der
mudal two miles from land | was boarded
by boat, with sailing master, and crew
from the British man of war brig Argus,
captain Arabin. The officer demanded
nv papers and particular search Of eve
ry part of my vessel also the keys OF
every trunk and chest on board; he also or
deredthe Pilot to take the scbnr. to town
and anchor alongside the man OF war
TIE sailing master and bis crew search
ed every part and every thing on board
the vessel, overhaulng and turning every
thing upside down IN the most ungent|e-
manlike manner-found nothing but what
was reported in my manifest; my cargo
provisions and stores, which was agreea-
bic TO the custom of that port-say for
stores. I8 hams, ID shoulders of bacon. l43
lbs. salt beef and pork, and ! qtl. Goldfish.
was all the sslted provisions | had on
board; bacon included, making IN all two
barrels sailed provisions. The sailing
master on seeing the I8 hams, said, cap
tain you have too much OF this bacon. you
are allowed only hams to each Amer can
vessel trading to this island; ! told him |
had very little of any provision on board,
that this bacon was put on board Tor pro-
vision. and was so noted in my manifest;
his reply was, you have too much bacon,
It gives room for suspicion, and must
sieze you, and put bis Majesty's broad K.
on the main mast. He then returned on
board his brig, leaving three soldiers to
guard the vessel, with orders to let no man
come en- board, which orders were strictly
attended to, not allowing the merchant to
whom was consigned to come on board,
the boarding officer OF the custom house
was orde.ed off by them went on shore
and at a O'Clock the same day, while was
on sho e, the first lieutenant and men
came on board and searched every part of
the vessel the second time, breaking open
the matches, fore and aft, overhauling and
turning every thing upside down, IN the
most uDgentlemanlike manner, and then
returned to the brig. The day following,
the sailing master came IN board whilst |
was at dinner, with boiled ham on the
table, and said, captain | have come to
take those hams on shore. my reply was,
am in your power, do as you think pro-
per, but you can't have any more of this
on my table, than what you eat, come seat
yourself and take cut; he readily acce pit
eG my invitation, sat down, eat what he
wished of the ham, and then ordered
his men to take every other piece of
bacon in the boat, and took them to the
custom House, leaving only ,43 lbs. salt.
co beef and pork on board, which they
weighed themselves. After keeping
charge Of my vessel Is days, capt, Arabn
directed the Collector at Hamilton to of.
ter compromise for D5Oe. which | refused
to give. The day following, capt. Ara
bin came on board my vessel, and after
talking with him, he offered to co,npro-
mise for D30O. which offer still refused.
My vessel was hbeled, and stood trial at
what. was called the v. A. Court: the
Judge directed that the vessel, her tackle, |
apparel and furniture, together with the
hams and shoulders, should be restored,
and eacn party pay his own COST was
detained % days by this seizure, cost of
court and other expenses about p2O0.
The Industry was the third vessel that
he seized; he seized every American ves-
sci that came in while | was there, until
the Admiral ordered him Off.-~it was said |