The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-02


we publish with the sincerest pleasure We are de-
ghed to record every authentic evidence we can obtain
OF the virtues and the genius OF our oountrymen We like
H. because they are our counymen- we ike it, be-
cause II is just tribute free institutions under
whose auspices such brave, and enierprsing, and in
genous men have been created. Let them dwell in
the North or the South the East or in the West we
desire TO pay them honor The following anecdote is
highly creditabls to Captain Simmons. OF the Magnolia
and his officers and crew, and to Captain Barker and
company, of the Edwards-both Of New Bedford Ii is
worthy OF the brave and national spirit OF whaIemen
to whose enterpnsing character Edmund Burke did
full justice in the beautiful portrait which he drew OF the
American character the best and most eloquent of his
crations
We hail ii OF the greatest advantages in the
QUESTION of territory, that furnishes asy
ium in OF the finest port. the world to those
brave and adventurous spirits More than six hundred
halers who exhibiting the ancient courage and dex-
tery Of the in happening the whale these distant
seas, will find welcome refuge in the harbors OF
California
We happy that this benefit has been secured 10
them by the present administration.
GALLANTRY OF AN AMERICAN wHALEMAN
To the Editor Of the Union:
You have recorded in your columns repeated instances
OF American valor and hardihood exhibited during the
late But few days since, YOU noticed the affair of
San Jose, in Lower California About the same time
the whal M Magnolia Capt simmons, belonging 70
with full cargo. The incidents connected with her
voyage along the California possess SO much inter-
American character together with the patriotic spirit OF
our seanen, To such degree, that upon becoming
quained with them resolved TO communicate them
your paper.
As the Magnolia was proceeding down the coast at
considerable distance from San Jose she hailed By
two three launches, small vessels, full of people
Upon approaching Capt Simmons discovered that
one of them contained the alcalde of San Jose. who with
others of the best families Of the town. had taken refuge
board these boats They informed him that there had
been Instruction against the United States authority
and that the Calionans had pllaged the town and
med numberess outrages, and then besieging the
priests house which the strongest in the place, and
was occupied fort by the Americans. 1t was COM
manded by Lieut. Haywood and defended by only TWEEN
ty-tive The acade further stated that there had
been much firing during the day and night previous and
he knew they must have nedry exhausted their ammu-
milton, and must surrender speedily unless immediate
sstance rendered Capt Simmons upon consnlta-
ton with his officers, resolved to run in al once to the
assistance OF the beseged As he stood in for anchor
age, when within about three miles, he the Caor
mans ranged upon HILL back from the shore. All the
men the launches were taken board ship, and
many possible placed upon the house. and in
spicuous positions, TO convey the impression OF vessel
Of war AS the Magnolia rounded to, gun fired,
her sails fnred and her anchor dropped about half mile
from the shore large number OF persons were skuk ing
about, obtaining pecarlous subsistence IN the bushes
which skirted the shore and protecting their lives against
the insurgents.
They cast anchor little before SHUTDOWN and sent of
beat the shore their safety seemed to allow.
An Indian swan of through the surf TO the boat which
had been sent in reply to his haoo He brought mes
sage from Lieut. Haywood, telling him land except
with strong force This satisfied Capt Simmons that
his had deceived both the Americans and Califor-
MANS and that they both deemed has ship
That night he put all his in order and made every
thing ready for Landing the next dav On the morning
succeeding he manned five boats and proceeded to effect
landing leaving three OF them lying the shore as
sort OF reserve TO fall back upon OF emergency
The Captain was convinced that if anything was done
successfully with his small force be done during
the continuance of the deception, which had evidently
been communicated to the insurgents. Taking with him
eleven picked well armed with guns and pistols,
Capt Simmons led of into this ITO hm) unknown coun
try, bese with enraged and reckless enemy his men
following him in single file. The road lay through a
thicket OF scrub growth for two miles, when they
emerged towards the town. The enemy had Withdrawn
beyond the HILL and they approached the fort guard
\ came out to meet them Until that moment it be-
ieved the fort that vessel of had TO Their
relief They were heartily greeted upon their arrival
and found the occupants of the fort out of lead except
few balls, and only two or three pounds OF powder le
for their small arms little bread only remained, for
the use OF the women and children in the fertilization
who had sought refuge there from the OF their
countrymen.
The continual firing night and day for several days had
completely exhausted the brave little band which was
then defending itself against largely superior force.
That night Tor the first time they enjoyed some undIs
turbed rest
letter had been sent several DAYS previously for
sstance, but intercepted without the knowledge o
Lieut. Haywood. II would therefore seem that If Amer
cans surrendered, that small company of marines
must have surrendered before assistance would have
been furnished by war-vessel. Upon ascertainine
what was most needed by the garrison, Capt Simmons
returned to the Magnolia, took all his fine powder some
90 10 pounds of lead including his deepsea lead
all the bread which was wanted at the fort, and with the
assistance OF the marines conveyed If TO the fort The
Magnolia's deck meanwhile was covered with men ant
shore, where they had been skukng for shelter. The
Captain, with his accustomed generosity, had given
word that they could find refuge on board his ship
/ The next morning after this, ship was discovered
passing in the oting. Capt, Simmons sent of boat Il
nun, to urge him TO in If possible and lie along
side; if not, then TO send him all his fine powder Thu
ship proved be the Edwards of New Bedford Capai
Barker, who could not &C by American, the Amer
can flag, in danger He in and anchor along
side They then put all their firearms in order, ant
some OF them landed On the Sd day they
took all their dsposabe force about SIS armed then
with about 80 muskets and carbnes, and the rest viii
whale lances Ia most formidable weapon,) and boarding
knives, and marched up 10 the town All thus wa'
done the people OF protection and safety and te
induce them to return TO the town. The whole com
pany through with military exercises in their sight
The people gradually back into the town, and ther
the whaemen returned to the beach But the people
besought Lieut.. H 10 detain the ships few days 10
their security This petition enclosed to Simmons
seconded by the request of the officer in command, tha
they should remain until assistance then expected, shou
arrive. Although their policies vIated, and tn
underwriters discharged by their national spirit and hu
many, there was not moments hesitation, but the twt
masters al acceded to the petition They lay Their
seven or eight days, until the arrival OF storeshp from
Mazaan with supplies, IN response TO despatch sen
after Magnoa's arrival The day they 4.