Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-06-02
THE MEXICAN OUTRAGE.

When the tidings of the affair between the
steam ship Columbia and the Mexican blocka-
ding squadron reached this city, we hazarded
an intmation that when the other side Of the
story came 10 be heard, the boot might be
found on the other leg. We drew the infer
ence in our own mind from knowledge of the
bitter hostiities felt towards the Mexicans by
almost every body in New Orleans, and of the
disposition 10 insult and undervalue them, SO
generally entertained by the captains engaged
in the trade between New Orleans ana Texas.
We now have the other side of the story in an
official communication from the commander of
the Iturbide to the commandant of the Mexican
squadron; which was transmitted to the House
of Representatives on Tuesday, by the Presi-
dent, with note from Senor Martinez. From
this lie evident enough that the Mexican cap
tain did no more than his duty, in the enforce
ment of the blockade .4dv.
Extract from the official communication of the
commander of the Mexican brig of war, Itur-
bide, respecting her encounter with the steam
boat Columbia.
To the Commandant General of The Merican
squadron:
Brig Iturbide, under oil sail in lat. 2sd g lon.
88i 49, west of Cadiz, five o'clock in the af-
ternoon Of this day, March "a, 1888.
At the moment when you sir, announced by
your signals, that you saw sails in the third
quarter, made out the vessel to be steamboat
coming from the north, and discovered that
she was not the same to which we had given
chase this morning, and which was apparently
on her way to Brazoria, as this boat has two
chimneys and the other only one. AS soon as
you gave the signal for chase with all speed, and
without our closing, endeavored by press of
sail to cut her off steering southeast, clearing
away to be ready for action, and taking the
other precautions, but on seeing that she was
bearing down on my starboard bow, ordered
all my men to take their proper fire and cutting
arms, to be ready for an attempt to board.
While we were thus sailing towards each 9th
er as you saw, our distance was necessarily be-
coming less; and seeing that her stern flag was
that OF the United States, hoisted mine with
pendant, and fired a gun without ball. clewed
up my main sail in order shat she should stop
her engine for me to examine her, but this was
not done; and as on the contrary, her movements
towards me were very suspicious, ordered an
other gun to be fired with ball, in direction
very wido of the steam boat, which was done as
a notice for her to stop. Instead of doing SO,
however, she continued on her course, as if with
view ofgetting past me to the leeward. When
got within speaking distance hailed her three
times with speaking trumpet, and she did not
deign to reply to either call. On the fourth call
an individual answered, loading we with abuse,
and telling me if ! wanted to see his papers
should come ON board bis boat. All this was
spoken without the trumpet, and although he
was called on to stop, IN order that his papers
and his boat should De visited, he did not do so,
but on the other hand continued to insult my
political insignia with the grossest obscenities
and language.
In consequence of these proceedings, fired
two cannon and three muskets, not aimed at
the steamer. for The purpose of intimating
that she should las required. She however,
took no notice of il, but continued on her way,
letting of'steam which was very high, SO near
me that the ashes and some warm " alter fell on
board my vessel
"God and Lihertyw