Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1835-10-22

~Hf@h SSat& ~
when a boat came alongside with an Off
Ger lrom a French corvette, which wa
lying beyond tho Dstch brig. We ma,
observe, by the way. that, at the time ",
are speaking of, there was much coolnes,
subsisting between the French and Anne
rIcan sailors in the Mediterranean, grow
ing out OF the unfortunate fracas whicl
had occurred a short time before at Ma
hon, between some American and French
sailors. 10 which a French officer and a.
American sailor were XII He'd. The French
officer came upon deck. and with a de
meanor that was anything but conciliato
~. stated that a shot from the Ontario
had passed over the French Kings cor
vette-carried away some of the rigging
and a quantity Of seamen's clothing WHICH
had been hung out to dry.
The officer stepping TO the companion
communicated this additional misfortune
10 the first lieutenant.
H, we've shot a Frencbman.'
Shot a Frenchman = exclaimed H.
8 is it possible ? When shall / hear ,he
last oil that internal shot! Go on board,
my dear -. without delay, and satisfy
Monsieur that it was an accident,
The lieutenant accordingly went on
board the French corvette, and explained
10 The captain the circumstance. express
ing his deep regret at the accident. and
Offering TO send the proper persons from
The ontario TO repair all damages. Mon
sIeur, however, was not in as pIacable a
mood as Mynheer, he declined the offer 10
repair The damages, but talked of inform.
ing his government, and maintained a re.
served and offended manner. until the
American officers patience began to wear
Out. Assuming as stately a demcanor as
the Frenchman, he gravely observed:
Sir, have informed you Of the circum.
stance OF this accident, aud made every
apology, which. in my opinion, the nature
oil the case requires. viii you be pleased
TO inform me whether you are satisfied p
The French captain Immediately relaxed
- Oh out, Monsieur, certainmeot. c,est
assez, c'est ASSET The American officer
thereupon made his bow and departed for
the Ontario.
The officers now INDUCED the hope that
this uniucky shot bad terminated its ad.
ventures without further mischief: but the
circumstances being such as the first lieu.
tenant thought should be Immediately
communicated 10 the captain, they remain.
ed on deck until his return. Capt. s..
came on board about 9 O'Clock, and after
a lew observations took the frat ~l,eu,eu.
| ant aside /:
III SAID he, do you know that YOU
fred a shot 10 day p
Yes. sir said II, am perfectly aware
OF that fact but how did you learn il can.
tain S.
why, the shot struck an Austrian
'Struck an Austrian = echoed II.
fAye, struck an Austrian brig replied
the captain. The Austrian captain bro't
The shot TO Mr.. OHley's while we were
dining
did you actually see the shot, captain
/ S.?' said II.
actually saw the shot. 1t was bro't
as | told you, by the Austrian captain, to
the Consul's while we were at dinner. and
laid upon the table,
Where is it now SIR
AT Mr.. Olley's.'
WAS any one hurt on board the Aus
trian ship p inquired Ii.
mo, but some damage is done to the
vessel
Thank God, them cried H., that I've
heard the last Of that shot! Never gun
fired such a shot before-frst cut away a
Du,ehman's spanker, next a F~renchman's
rigging and nov it's hulling an Austrian !!
But you are sure Captain S., that you saw
the shot at MIR. Offley's.'
A boat was sent on board the Austrian
vessel early the next morning She pro-
we'd TO be a large, new, strong built brig
Of about $50 tons-a Black Sea trader
The ball, which, after it glanced from the
water had passed over the Dutch and
French vessels, in an ascending course. g.
began to descend before it struck the Aus.
trian and such was its impetus, that il
drove through the thick, strong side Of
the vessel, carried away a heavy stancilion
and finally brought up on the opposite side
Of the briggs hold, among a number oil
men who were at work, without hurting
a man. The carpenter ofthe Ontario soon
put all to rights on board Of the Austrian,
and thus ended The adventures of a 50
pound shot,