Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-31

/ A New-Orleans paper OF July 81, which we
| have before us, contains statement of the vex-
atious treatment to which Captain Davis, of the
| brig Nun, was subjected in the port of Vera
Cruz. We trust that the treaty between our
government and that of Mexico, (the conclusion
of which we are daily in expectation of an
nouncing,) will effectually put "a stop to any
complaints of this kind on the part of our citi-
zens who may visit the territories of the Next
can Republic. The statement to which we al
lude is as follows
On the arrival OF the Nun at Vera Cruz, it
was made known to the crew that the Mexican
service was In want of able bodied seamen, for
the national service, and that bounty of $50
would be given, and Sl4 per month, pay--two
months pay advanced. This knowledge COM
municated to the crew, soon made them DISC
bedient, and before the cargo was discharged,
three refused TO do duty. Application was
made to the consul, who advised the imprison-
ment of the refractory hands, until the Nun was
ready to sail. The advice was pursued, and
three men committed.
In few days ii was found that two of the
three were released, (not being native Amer-
cans) and had entered the Mexican service, on
board frigate. Shortly after they were ship
ped on board the irigate, they came on board the
Nun, with 2 naval officer. and the officer de-
manded their wages. Payment, and as we
think, properly, was refused, the seamen having
violated their shipping articles, and the appli-
cants retired.
On the day the Nun was to sail, the remain
ing man, In prison, was taken out, (being ma
tive Americana and at the moment he was step
ping into the boat, he was asked by recruiting
officer, ii he did not desire 10 enter the Mexican
service? On answering affirmatively, he was
taken from the officers of the Nun, and went on
boart. the frigate.
About the time the Nun was getting under
weigh, an officer from the frigate came, and
desired the master TO go on board. The mas
ter being on shore, and the owner not wiling to
go, the mate was permitted 10 accompany the
officer, 90 know what was required? The mate
was detained. On the master coming on board
and finding that the mate was on board the fri
gate, he went to seek after him, rowed by two
men. When he reached the frigate, he was in
formed that his male and two men would be de-
tanned, until the wages of the three Americans
who had deserted and entered the Mexican SER
vice were paid. Expostuation was vain. The
captain offered to remain as an hostage. provld-
ed they would permit the mate and men to go
on board
This was agreed to-and after much allerca-
ton ii was determined that the captain should
go on shore, to the American Consul to have
the affair adjusted The Consul agreeing in o.
pinion with Captain Davis, advised against a
compromise, and the guard was about to con-
tduct Capt. d again to the frigate, when exer-
cislrg the freedom of an American, he stepped
into boat, in defiance of threats, was rowed
on board the Nun, and got under weigh, leav-
ing the three men in the Mexican service.
We are grati6ed TO learn that the conduct of
the consul was such as became his station, and
only lament that his inclination to do good,
was not supported by ability to carry that In
tention into effect.