The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1849-12-01
A Narr0yv.Escane. .

The following incident srelated by correspon.
dent of the News Its quite new to us and car.
RES on Its face an air Of ofimprobabilty though We
cannot undertake to say that no such tling occur
red. We can hardly suppose that naval commah-
ders would venture to rush into hostilities with no
better warrant than a more casual report sup
piled by chance encounter with an unknown in
formant such thing is possible, however, it
seems to us that it would be worth while to make
provision against the hazard of such a result u
yltwould be- satisfactory if the writer in the
News would give the names of the English and
American vessels referred to, and of their COM
manders. s5-ssa4fs 8 s5sss = .sasFss5 e 5a74
In Conversations day or two since with one
OF our gallant naval officers, he communicated to
me asremarkable incident connected with the war
which did not break out between the United States
and Great Britian on the NorthsEasterne boundary
question, a few years since. You will lecollect
that at one time, a rupture between thestwo
countries on that subject was considered ineEit-
able by great many whose opinions were entitled
to consideration. About sunrise on one fine morn
ing frigate of our navy espied a large ship on
the horizon, which, altar few hours sailing prov
ed to be first class frgate of the British navy be-
longing to the West India squadron s
By an extraordinary coincidence the comnau-
der of the British vessel had few days previous.
y hailed ship the captain of which informed. him
that the United States had declared war against
England on the boundary question and the cap
tain OF a vessel the American commander hailed,
reported that England had declared war a.
gainst the United States. Simultaneously, and as
If by concert, the American and British flags were
hoisted, and soon after the order to "Prepare for
action, double shot the gunsH was given on board
each vessel In five minutes both were to COM
rnence the work of death and destruction sl
The vessels were within-miles of each other.
and then fria1 81
teal Skill each using every arti6ce and every ex-
pedient to get to windward of the other, in order
to select position that would enable the success
full one to do the other the most injury By single
broadside. For six long hours did the fripates
strive in this way. Never were orders given in a
clearer voice. or readily or willingly executed.
But 1t became apparent that in saiingqualities the
American was superior to the British frigate and
that in another tack she would accomplish what
her commander was 50 skillfully STRIVING to do
She "bouted ship" went around beautifully and
directed her course toward the supposed enemy.
Soon the frigates approached Not word was
spoken or even whispered by any ofthe. officers or
crew of either vessel. The eyes of all were intent
ly and eagerly fixed on the commanders who trtIrn-
pet in hand occupied position where they could
be seen by all. The gunners were at their guns,
the matches were in their hands, all ready
to be instantaneously applied. All were as silent
dS OcdLH ILSelI
And now the vessels are quite close, and the
order to fire is about to be given-a moment Of
dreadful suspence ensues-the American conmar-
der applies the trumpet to his nouth-he speaks
"Frigate ahoy!" No answer for a moment
"Frigate ahey!' Awful suspense "HaIioo" was
the answer at last "Any news from England ?H--
"No," was responded in deep, clear and sonor-
Gus voice The crew gave vent to little of their
pent excitement "Where are you bound ?" :, Ha-
vana." ~ S
E "Frigate ahoy!' said the British commander in
his turn. "Halloo,' was the responce aAny
news from the United States? "No'' A pause
which lasted for few minutes ~Where, are you
bound ?" Havana" simultaneously hustle
ensued on board both frigates In defiance of dis
cipline, they left their guns, and it was
quarter of an hour before they satisfied themselves
that they were not not going into an engagement.
Wishing each other a prosperous passage, the
two vessels altered their courses and headed for the
port of their destination.
In few days they both reached Havana, the
American frigate some twelve hours in advance
When the british vessel got 10 anchor she was
saluted by the American, and the compliment was
returned In the evening the two commanders sup
ped together, and communicated to each other the
ofthe intelligence which had By sin
9ular coincidence, been conveyed to both IF you
had fred a single gun, said the American COM
nander, would have fred broadside, into you.
Nv crew, said the British commander, were at their
POSTS and prepared the first hostile demonstration
o engage with you. What bloody engagement
would not that have been :? Ineed hardly say that
he two commanders %made night of it." and
parted bosom friends in the morning. szks