Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1838-05-02
OUTRAGE ON THE AMERICAN
FLAG.

received at late hour last evening:
On board the steam ship Columbia,
Near New Orleans, March 20, 1888.
Leaving Galveston on the morning Of the
Oath inst. for Velasco, we soon discovered
two Mexican vessels of war, one a brig un-
der press Of canvass making for us, the
other large ship lying at anchor. The
latter soon got under way and joined the
chase but after following us three hours
they both gave it up. Landing our pas.
sengers at Velasco, and taking board sew.
eral others, we stood on our course for New
Orleans, and when about ten miles from We.
lasco we again discovered the same ves-
sells that gave us chase in the morning.
The brig shot across our starboard bow eli.
fectualy TO intercept our flight if attempted.
We kept the national colors flying from the
moment we raised our anchor in the morn.
ing, also the private signal of the Colum.
bia at the main. On dividing, in order to
prevent our flight, at a little MOI than mus
ket shot distance, the brig hoisted Mexican
colors and fired gun loaded with grape
and ball, which passed within short dis.
lance OF US; shortly after, another gun with
grape and canister, which passed close un.
der our bow; the ship at the same time
hosting her coors and being very short
distance from us fired ball which fell on
our starboard side; the brig again fired at
us with grape and canister, evidently ainl-
ing at our colors, as one Of the shrouds
connecting them with the mast was cut
through and the flag at the same time per.
forated by the ball. Although we were ly.
ing perfectly still, the engine being stopped
and With" 40 or so yards Of the brig, these
acts OF violence were manifested. Captain
Wright feeling justly indignant at such a
gross outrage TO his country's flag, demand
cd what they wanted of him, and why they
continued TO fire at him as he was entirely
defenceless They replied, We want your
papers. Capt. w. rejoined, Come and get
them, and Cd DIM you if you fire another
shot at me, I'll blow you to hill. Imme.
diately three muskets with buck and slug
were fired at him as he stood alone by the
wheel house on the forward deck. At that
instant, the engineer let the steam partially
escape, which from its strange and extra.
ordinary noise to these brave Mexicans,
caused one and all with a solitary exception,
to fail on their faces, experimenting (as we
supposedly that he intended to put in cxecu.
ton the threat he uttered few moments
previously.
Thus ended this encounter. Capt. Wright
proceeded on his way triumphanily without
being searched.7 And we cannot let this OPP
portunity pass without awarding him that
praise which is particularly his due, for the
firm and manly stand he took in sustaining
the honor of his country, leaving him the
proud and grateful reflection that he would
not, at the imminent hazard of his life suf.
fer stain TO be inflicted upon her siar.span-
gled banner.
Published by the request and appreciation
Of the undersigned
Jack Sheckleford, Alabama Jas. Au.
N. York A. H. Phillips, New
jersey; s. A. Gillespie, Natchez; s. g.
Norvell, Tennessee F. p. Smith, Mata-
gorda; w. G. Cooke, Houston; j. Gunby,
Grand Gulf Jacob Coffin, Louisiana J.
Evans, Missouri; c. ID. Tobin, A'aba.
ma; ID. Knott, Missouri; Il. &. Dobbs,
Tennessee; ID. Munson, Alabama ID. A.
Given, N. Carolina s. s. Munger, Mis-.
'issppi; Isaac Rowe, Massachusetts a. |
Pepin, N. Orleans; Robert Haley, Massa.
;husetts +. c. Hurley, Missouri John
A. Newland, Houston j. B. Cornelius, N. |
Orleans; P. s. Campbell, do J. s. Lou
ierdale, Mississippi; w. p. Smith. do;
Willis Freeman, Tennessee G. Fitzgerald,
Daniel Lewis, Texana II.
Suth, Alabama Benjamin Barstow, N. Or
cans; J. c. Davenport, New York Isaac
Kincaid, Maine.