The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-08-13
nlisfellanrous Department.
The Claim of the United States on the
Government Of Portugal.


sent to enforce. The extract which is given
Glow, explains its origin, and exhibits splen-
did proof of the bravery Of our people. II we
are not mistaken, the General Armstrong was.
at one period, we'll known in Charleston har-
bour. There can be no disputation of the valid.
ity of the claim The laws Of nations hold
the Government of Portugal responsible, for
the violation of the. rights of neutral, within
her waters. But still that government is not
without remedy. The settlement of the demand
with the United States creates one in her favor
on England.
DEFENCE OF The PRIvATEER.-1he Bold
fst Fight, on Record.-The annals Of modern
warfare do not furnish the recital of more
gallant action than that fought at Fayal, the
Western Islands, in 1914, between British
gun brig and the boats of British squadron on
the one side, and on the other the little prva-
teer armed American brig Gen. Armstrong,
of seven guns and ninety men, commanded by
Cant. Samuel &. Reid, out of the port Of New
York.
The terrible engagement Of Paul Jones with
British cruiser is scarcely a parallel to it, and
few naval battles, even by the large fleets, ex-
iibit so great slaughter. A British resident
mt Fayal, who was wituess to The action, in
letter to tie celebrated Cobbett, under date Of
Oct. Is, 1914, thus describes the bold defence
and noble conduct of the daring American
privateersman -
The American privateer brig Gen. Arm
strong, of New York, Capt. Samuel G. Reid,
of seven guns and ninety men, entered here on
TIE 2Gth ult., about noon, seventeen days from
tn It place for the purpose of obtaining water.
The Captain seeing nothing on the horizon,
was induced to anchor. Before the lapse OF
many hours his Majesty's brig Carnation came
in and anchored near her.
About o'clock His Majesty ship Planta-
gent, o. seventy -four guns, and the Rota !rlgate
came in, and anchored also. The captain OF
the p:ivateer and his friends consulted the first
authorities here about her security. They all
considered ner perfectly secure, and that his
Maiesty's officers knew too well the respect
due to neutral port to moiesther. But, to
the great surprise OF every one, about nine in
the evening four boats were despatched, armed,
and named, from his Majesty's ships, for the
purpose Of cutting her out. 1t being about the
full of the moon, the night perfectly clear and
calm, we could see every movement made
The boats approached with rapidity towards
her, when 1t appears the captain oi the prlva-
teer hailed them and told them several times to
keep off. They Notwithstanding pushed on,
and were in the act ofboarling before any de-
fence was made from the p:ivatccr. \ warm
contest then ensucd on both sides. The boats
were finally dispersed with great loss.
The American now calculating on very su-
perior force being sent, cut his cable "nds and
rowed the privateer close alongside of the tort
within half cables length where he noofed her
head and st .ru, with four lines.
The Governor now sent a remonstrance to
Captain Lilo, d, ofthe Plantagent, against such
ard trusted that the Privateer
would not be furthe: mol"stcd sine bci'is i'll
the dolnnions of Portugal an,l under the guns
of the cat tie, was entitled 10 Portuguese protcc-
ton.
Captain Lloyd's answer was that he was de-
termireG to destroy the vessel, at the expense
of all Fayal, and should any protection be given
by the fo:t, he would moi leave Il house standing
in the village. All Lie iah''tant, were GATH
cred about the walls, expcctn@ a renewal OF the
attack. Al about midnight fourteen launches
were discovered to be coming i'll rotation, for
the purpose.
When they got within clear gunshct, tre-
mendous and effcctual discharge was made
from the priyateer, which threw the boats into
confusion. They now returned Il spirited lire;
but the privateer kept up so continual dis
charge, it was almost impossible for the boats
to make any progress They finally succeed
ed after immense loss. to get aloEg.idc OF her,
and attempted to board her at every quarter,
chcered by the officers with STOUT of NO
quarter!' which we could distinctly hear, well
as their shrieks and cries. The termination
was near about total massacre.
Three of the boats were sunk, and but one
poor solitary officer escaped death, in boat
that contained fifty souls; he was wounded.
The Americans Tough with grearfrlnncss; some
Of the boats were lett without u single man TO
row them; others with three or four; the most
that any one retui ned with was abou, ten sev-
eral boats hoated Oh shore full of dead bodies.
With great reluctance state that they were
manned with picked men, and commanded by
lst; I'd, 81, and 4th lieutenants of the Plan.
tagenet; the lst, 3D. 3d, and 4tl lieutencnts of
the frgate and the first officer of the brig, Co.
gether with II great number Of midshipmcn.
Our whole force exceeded 400 men but three
officers escaped, two Of whom are wounded.
The bloody and unfortunate contest lasted for.
ty minutes