Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-22

the Governor of Minorca issued an Ordinance rec,;
ing tnat All sailors coming shore should re-embar
III "ou 'ne'5 vessels every evening before sunset
lie addressed this ordinance to all the Consuls resi-
eng at Mail9n, requiring of them to COMMUNICATE
cue some 10 tne commanders OF the vessels of war of
their respective nations. "
conformity to tins act until the 9TH February.
no SAILOR belonging to the American vessels of WA in
pert obtained leave from their officers TO 20 on shore
AT TINS date the commander ofthe java 10 S. frioa,e)
was authorized by the Governor to permit, his snanan
u oe on s'ore Tor week. 1t ought to observed that
notwithstanding the Governors order the French
sailors had come ashore every niubt ARMED >
III has been pretended that the American Officers
'ao taHeh 90 steps to put an end to the disputes
winch had arisen. 70 repel this accusation it is
enough to- recall to mind one irpporort t,ct Imr,a
diatey after the affair of tII,. 9TH Jas the e,,ver
nor, at the request of Capt. DowNEs commander OF.
the lava, proposed to the French Consul res,nr at
Siahon' an arrangement BY which the French sailors
should go on STORE for certain number of fay flint
IN tieir turn the American sailors sho.Ld enjoy the
same privilege for the same number of DAYS and so
ON alternately. In this way it would be impossible
that the peace OF the town should be disturbed since
no meeting could take place between the sailors nj
the two nations. H'ths arrangement was mot mn, in
execution, 1t was not the fault Of the commander of
thc Java. Tins fact, arising from the i-pues which
had already taken place, is sufficient to demonstrate
tnat Caps. Do"HEs did all that it possible for
nun to do to avoid oil conflict, and that if unfortunate
occurrences have followed, it is not upon him that
:he blame ought TO fall.
"Ihere was not the least Fermentation in the
event OF which Lieutenant MEsNARD (of the French
Navy became victim. 1t was thus that occurred
This officer, followed by many French sailors were
conducting along the street American sailor with
tie Intention they said to lead him before the Co.
vernon. but Tor What purpose know not. The
American sailor, whom they NAL treating, cried
out "Murdcr! Al his cries, many of his comrades
ran to his assistance, and in the skirmish which hence
arose, Lieutenant Mesnard was hit Oh the head by
chance bullet
The death OF this brave officer caused as much re-.
gret to the American officers could have caused
to the French; and, every one will see there is
nothing III al this affair that resembles ossasialon
All those who know the American Nation, know thai
such crime does not belong either to lis habits OF il
character.
! The death of Lieut.. Mesnard is not the ONLY one
that we have to regret. A sailor of the Java wa:
also the victim OF these deplorable conflicts. Ete
was pierced through and through With sword and
/ expired Il few hours afterwards.
/ Capt. DowNEs has acted in these circumstances
with prudence and moderation, which, without
doubt, entitle him to the esteem of all men, who be
tore making up an opinion any affair, desire e
understand properly the details OF it. Since his ar
rival at Toulon this prudence and moderation has no
been lost sight of: he has offered 20 the Admiral no
to rciipit even his officers to go on shore.
La Semnnhore.