The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-01-12


The following intsniesnee Communicated to
the Baltimore Amencan BY Captain Wilson. late
Of the brig Far6eld,) is truly gratifying. and is
sufficient answer TO the carpers who day after
day take pleasure in deriding the character sf
our little Navy; whether in peace or war, she
has always been found ready and able to protect
our citizens abroad, as well as to maintain the
honor and dignity ofour flag.
"Our countrymen, Messrs. Thomas and Curtis,
late master and mate of the brig Zebra, have
been lying in prison at Gonaives, in the island
of Hayti, since early in last August, on q charge
of shooting an English captain who came along
side the Zebra during the night, to entice por-
ton of her crew to desert. The poor fellows
had made several applications to the Government
of the United States for relief and instructions
were sent out to the American agent at Cape
Hayden to call the Immediate attention of the
Hayden authorities to The subject, but all with
outIeffect.
-. They. were almost beginning to despair of
ever being brought TO trial or liberated SO dlato-
| ry were all the movements of the revolutionary
Government. In this conjuncture the U. 5. brig
cambridge, Commander MATTIsoN, arrived at
Gonaves, and the aid of that officer was Of course
at once solicited by Capt. Thomas and his mate.
They were visited in prison by Capt Madison
and his officers, whose feelings were shocked at
beholding two of their own countrymen confined
in the midst of the most intolerable filth, and
surrounded by desperadoes Of every age, sex, and
color Had il not been for the possession OF a
small amount of money Of their own, and some
friends they found amongst the foreign residents,
they would very soon have persisted from star
walton. e s,s rfS'>i ti 4sttfgal
Having satisfied himself fully of the unfoun-
ded character of the charge on which they were
confined, Capt. MATrIsoN determined to take a
decided stand, and without delay to relieve them
from their suffering condition. He Immediately
called upon the Military Commandment and in
Ithe most decided manner told him that the
| American Government would not tolerate for al
single instant the least act Of injustice towards
its citizens, and demanded the release of the
prisoners, else their trial according to the laws
OF the country. But the authorities of Gonaives
could do nothing Of themselves ard, it is under
stood, referred the Captain to Port au Prince, the
seat of Government. Et
Capt M, determined not to be foiled in his
object, at once proceeded to Port au Prince, and
there made similar demand on the Provisional
Government, which, convinced by his emphatic
language that he was not to be triled with,
made the most. satisfactory response, and issued
an order for their release from prison and deive-
| ry into his hands. Having accomplished this
object, The cambridge sailed on the 9th Of De
cember for Gonaives to take on board the two
prisoners, who by this time are undoubtedly re-
| eyed from confinement and on their way to
their own counry.eat,a or, .#EIl .8a9l3.aaG IKE
Captain Madison deserves the greatest
praise for the successful termination of this affair."
His conduct was prompt, energetic, and manly,
and must have the happiest effect on our COM
mercial intercourse with that Island.
We annex list of the officers OF the Balm
4 Mt fha ,rlt
| J. MArTIsoN, Commander
c. Thomas and g. w. Harrison, Leutenants;
f. Lloyd Winder, Act,g Lieut.; J. Beale, Pass
ed Asst. Surgeon G.. H. White, Purser e. C.
Stiles, r. J. D. Price, and J. E. DeHaven, Mid
shipmen; G.. Dauriler,, Masters Mate j. M.
Melick, Captains Clerk U. Atherton, Purser's
Steward. 2s 1872. A}e
Loss OF BRIG FAIRFIE1D.-We learn from
the Baltimore American that Capt. George II.
Wilson, of the brig Fairfield, arrived there in the
steamer from Norfolk ON the 10th inst. He re-
ports that the Fairfield was cast away on the ISL
and of SANTANA, on the night of the 18th of De-
cember-the vessel and cargo total loss. On
the morning of the 18th the crew succeeded in
getting ashore in the boats, where they remained
until the 18th without receiving any assistance.
On that day the gale moderated, and the mate,
Mr.. Scott proceeded in the boat to Crooked island,
for assistance. Here he met with the soop Lively,
which sailed Immediately for SANTANA. and carried
the captain and crew of the Fairfield to Nassau.
He also states that during his stay at Nassau,
the U. S. Revenue Cutter Nautilus arrived there
to demand the slaves who fed from Florida some
time since, committed murder at Key Biscayne,
and then took refuge at Nassau. The Nautilus
was compelled, however, to sail again without
accomplishing her object. The authorities of
Nassau refused to give up the fugitives from JUS
tice on the plea that the proofs not sufficient
ST.. DoMINGo.--By the brig Sidney, Captain
Barnard, q days from Aux Cages, we have news
up to the 18th ult About the 9Th of December
there was mastering Of large number of per-
sons in the plains without the town, apparently
for a hostile purpose Colonel Rivera hearing
Of it, despatched his Aid with small body Of
men tolalay the excitement and quell the insur-
gents. Instead of dispensing, the mob ilnmed-