Washington telegraph., 1844-11-06


nifty o,iorward you a copy of what has pass
ed between a British Captain and myself
on the coast of Africa. Please to publish
said article, as soon as possible. am here
detained, for several DAYS, by the American
Consul, the Minister, Mr.. Wise, and the
Commodore of the u. S. ship Raritan, fix
ing and putting all my papers right, to be
presented by me to the Honorable Secretary
of the Navy, at Washington.
Your most obedient servant.
p. C. DUMAS.
THE AMERICAN FLAG TRAMPELLED UP
oN ny 4HE BRITIsHl--On the 2nd day of
June. at p. NJ, an English man-of-war
brig, Alert, was lying to an anchor, five
miles off Cabinda; her boat came alongside,
manned by two officers, one boy, and four
negroes, sailors, (called crewmen.) The
Captain of the Alert, Mr.. Bozanquet, after
] told him that the brig was the Cyrus, of
New Orleans, and visited once by him by
force, TO save himself the trouble to visit
my vessel twice. and at the same time asked
him who he was, and to show me power
from my Government to visit me. He
made no answer, except putting his hands
on his flag, saying ''this tells who | am;'
and he said to me, Il will come on board
and YOU will see it." Very well, sir; n
protest shall be made for violating the treaty.
The moment he got on deck with his officer
and crew, he ordered his men to open my
matches, fore and aft; went down himself
with his company, and came on deck, afer
he found that the vessel had nothing but
water ballast, and nothing else. He then
came towards me, and said in a rough
manner, Il want to see your papers" My
answer was, in the same tone, ''why should
a man like you take the liberty to jump on
board of an American vessel against the
Captains will, opening matches, searching
the cabin, going all over the ship, w.thout
speaking a word to me, and besides re-
quiring that [ must show You my papersi
Please tell me who you are! you are not in
uniform. Any pirate can come to an
anchor, like your brig. and send boat with
an English flag, as you do. Please show
me power to visit me, and then, on the
spot, viii show youmy papers lie said,
:. have it, but il is on board" ''Wel, go
and get it" said |. He said, ''my word is
good enough" | said that | was not
obliged 10 believe him. Then, again, he
asked for the papers. You shall not see
them, said |. ..Weil, if YOU don't show me
your papers, take you to be pirate, and
from this moment take charge of the brig.
NV answer was. las long as that flag re-
mains hoisted, and my papers on board. |
shall sill be the Captain of my own ship,
or, ii you wish to take charge of her, you
mast send for more force, or order your
. l.. IL,
ntl am killed." holding the ensign hal
lizard in my hand. During that conversation,
had my log book in the lief, hand. Then,
thinking that | would show my papers
quicker, he said to me, "the reason why you
cannot show me the papers, is because you
have sold your vessel was told So"
1T is not true, sir" | repliecl--'if my YES
sci was sold, would not have the American
flag up. Neither nor my crew would be
on board" Now, vexed to see that he
could not succeed in any way, ne then said,
well | Will 20 in the cabin, and make
search all over" Immediately placed
the American flag before the cabin door,
held by me, the mate, and two of my men,
very tight, observing to him, that ne could
not enter in the cabin without trampiing on
the United S,a'es fag. His answer was,
''that it made no difference to im-and
Immediately he rushed into the cabin, FOL-
lowed by his officer and a negro, and tram
pied the flag under their feet, in presence
of my crew. Then said, ''boys, our flag
is insulted; it will cost dear TO the English
nation" They all came on deck, and the
Captain told me to let him have my log
book My answer was, "Rcrcr-and as
long as should have a drop of blood in my
veins, no British subject should take it away
from me-" Then he observed that he had
the power to attain il by force-and at the
same time ordered one of his negroes to take
the book from me, who attempted To obey
the order given to him. | stepped back.
pushing the negro, and called my mate and
crew to assist me, and to arm themselves
with handspikes, and knives, in case the
British officer should give new ORDER
All my men were ready to strike, when the
British Captain turned pale, and, with the
voice of co,card, said to me, "Captain.
stop your men-l don't wish to see any
blood shed nor bHchery'' nothing
took place. lie wanted to go in the cabin
and make a second search. | observed to
him that my papers were on board, in my
trunk, and showed him the key. He said,
''let me have the key, or shall have it by
force" My answer was, shave YOU for
ootten what fooE nlace for the Ioer hooLx1 L.