Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-08
To Tnr EDiroR OF rue Wine.

p"'s'"t " fgt tda0Nn, March LIST. 1870
Dear SiT-The outrage committed this dov on
the person and liberty OF Capt Howell. BriS ~ o n"
Island, of New York, bound from Richmond ~
New Orleans, is Of such character as 10 reoU;,s
redress from our citizens, ifthe laws of the country
cannot protect him.
The circumstances are follows: The steam
boat Star, Captain Henderson, came nlongsiJc .,
US, and man from her came on board calling him.
self sheriff from Norfolk, produced n writ for
Captain Howell. under the Plot law. showed no
oiher paper or token OF his authority, but insist
on his, Capt IL, going with him, threatening # he
refused 10 comply, Revenue Gutter would be dis
patched and take him by force.
Bound 20 New Orleans with cargo. nasssngsrs
saves and crew, OF whom he had very little know.
edge, he observed that he would not be forced Con,
his vessel alive. About twenty minutes n,st a ~
steamboat again made her appearance having ON
board the military officer from Fort Monroe sun
posed 10 &c Capt. Mehenney, with 4 force Of armed
men, and ordered Captain Howell 70 b,nye.,o
Captain II. replied, as he made verv li,tIe hesd,r,,
they could come alongside. The officer then c,IIS1
out, IN most violent tone and manner, command
ing Captain ii. TO come on board the steamboat
saying he should appear at Portsmouth. &c. rs
violence OF tone prevented us from hearing nil he
said. Captain III. inquired why he was Tins called
upon, and observed, That under the circunnstnn-es
with such a cargo he could not quit his vessel
The officer then ordered hs men 10 board the vessel
10 trs a. me too1d and take the Captain by force
10 which resistance was made as n matter Of cour..
MIR Barss, the first mate enireated the men m ,ss
no vioence-as he spoke the officer sprupo ON The
rail- OF the brig, nourishing his sword over MIR n =
ordered him away. In the meantime the serond
mate who was standing near the Captain, was
pushed aside. OvcrpOwered, IN the most rude and
Outrageous manner, Capt. II. was dragged from ON
board his vessel. Captain H. then told the officer
to take charge Of the brig, as he CAPTAIN H.. pave
her up; TO which the officer iauntingIv rera fked
ne did not want the vessel, only her Captain"
Many, u not all, Of the soldiers under command oe
Capt. Mckinney, were foreigners, and in their e,ee
ness 10 seize an unarmed man, they more ncarv re-
sembicd prnu-'l gang than soldiers of civilized
country. From tho conduct o. Captain Nickname
who was aided by Captain Hende-son of tho So
we cannot but think, had they dared DO So without
provoc1uon, they would have treated us in the s,,n
nnIeellng and outrageous manner. The mate tolJ
the oiicer TO remember he loft tho vessel no,,i,,
destitute, IN taking away her Captain, rs he. The
nue' vas no plot, nnd unacqullntod with the
consi' The officer replied It made no diFeT,nee and
That he would 10 anSwcrabe for c0nseou.oces
20 enforce such unjust demands Cap,,in ia ,uIo.
forced from his vessel, leaving his wife and li,Ie
oh"u' win strange crew, unacquainted with the
conat. The cargo, passengers md sinvcs miebt ain
have been lost, had not an Al-yise ProyiIencc o,.
dCrcd IL Otherwise.
Whore was the Pilot when the vessel WINS lsf,
with tho mate who was unacquaintcd with lie
coasu why did not he, at that time offer his ser.
UCe1 Lei him ongwCrl
II the officer had power 10 take AWAY tho Can,
nc most assurcdy had tho right, and should have
put pI'o! on board, or placed somo ono here WHO
was competent to take charge Of her. The nicb,
h1r1or and anchored.
Plots aided by those who should protect us. look
out for their fces-not for lives or property.
~ such proceedings nro suffered TO pass UnpoticeJ
Freedom and Justice is but q name.
signed, DAVID BARSg.
FRANK BROChE.
WILLIAM JUDSON.
ROBERT MAFFIN.