Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-05-14
ALLEGED MEXICAN OUTRAGE.

II seems the attack of the Mexican Brig of War /
tulblde on the American steamboat Columbia, whic,
made some morse NJ the tlme has attracted the at
tention of Nj. Martinez tho Mexican Consul lie
writes to Mr. Forsyth, the Secretary 81 STATE ol the
United States under date al Goth Ariil.slY my hils
the subject WIS confined 10 the new spapeis b. hi
not think II necessary Ia take any notice OF the adj
legations against the eondrct OF the luth,dr, hut
since II had been brought 10 the attention ni The L
nted States Congress he iet bound To lay The facts
before the Secretary. He then furnishes copy OF
at official communication Of the commander
OF the Itniblde, respecting her encounter with the
Columbia, 10 the commander ofthe Mexican squad
ron. The command y Of the Ituihde SAYS -
At the moment when you, sir, announced by
Your signals, that you sails IN the thtd quarter,
made out the vessel To be astcamboat coming from
the north, and discovered that she was mol the saline
10 which We had given chase this morning, aud
which mas apparently on her way 10 BraHoria, rs
this boat has ch,nneys and the other only one.
As soon as you gave the signal for chase with all
speed. aud without our closing, fsir sHbjcc'ion Il
tamdcoH) cndcavored b, press OF sail 10 her OIL
steering southeast clearing away To be ready for ac-
ton, 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
fine and cutting arms 10 be ready for an attempt 10
board.
While we were thus sailing towards each other,
as you saw, our distance was necessarily becoming
less, and seeing that her stern flag that Of the
'nitu states, nOiSttu mine WIN pendant, anu
fired run without ball. ! clewcd up my man
sail IN order that she should stop her engine for
10 examine her but tins not done and AZ,
the contrary, her movements towards me were very
suspicious, ordered another gun 10 be fired, with u
ball, IN a direction very WIDE OF the steamboat
which WAS done rs "A notice for her 10 stop. Instead
OF dong so, however, she continued her course
as II with view OF getting past me 10 the lccwatd
When got wlhln speaking distanee,l hallcd her
three times with trumpet, X she did not degn TO give
any reply either cali On the fourth call indvi
dual answered, loading with abuse. aud telling
II | wanted 10 see his papers, should come on board
hls boat. All tins was spoken without the speaking
trumpet aud although lac was called upon to stop
III order that his papers aud hs boat should be VISIT
ed, he dld not do so, bun on the other hand, con
tnued TO insult my political insignia by the grossest
obsccnites aud language.
In consequence OF these proceedings, fired two
cannon aud thlcc muSkels. not aimed al the steam
FL, Tor the purpose OF Intlmldating her, that she
should de- rs required She however, took no notice
OF IT, hu continued on her way, letting oil her stean
which was vety high, near me, that the ashes and
some warm water fell on board IT my vessel"
The correspondence from which the foregoing ~
an extract, MS communicated to Congress on Thurs
day. IN amessase from the President Of the United
States in answer to resolution heretofore oncredby
Nh. Adams,