The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-14
Seizure OF an American Vessel by q Br1tisan

Seizure an American Vessel by q Brlt,saa
Cruiser.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
Sir here send you an exact and true state
| ment Of the outrageous mani er in which our flag
has been insulted by of II. b. M. brigs, on tho
coast Of Africa, whilst pursuing our course, en-
| me by inserting the same IN your colHmns;-
BnG LOUISA BKAroN,
| AT ANCHOR OFF AMBRIz, Sept II, 1850.
On the second day of July last, took charge Of
the brig Louisa Beaten, New London, BY par
tcular reques, of the Honorable Gov. Kent, U. 8.
Consal at Rio de Jansro, In lieu of Capt. Joseph
| Bailey, deceased.
She sailed from Rio on the Ilth of August, for
| Loanda, Coast OF Africa, having on board legal
| Nothing particular occurred until Saturday, tho
| 9TH of September, when, at A. M we made sail
TO the westward, beng then in lat s., Ion. 10 K.
After few moments observation paid no more
attention to her, proceeding on our course without
fear or suspicion AT sunset she was still in sight,
after which we saw no more of her until O'clock
the same night, when | was startled by the loud
report of gun, fired in my direction, and upon
ookiag to the leeward, perceived brig within
bailing distance. imme stately gave orders to
When about abeam of US, we laying tor she fired q
econd gun, shottea, which passed close to
stern. Immediately gave orders for the wheel to
be put up, and ran nearer TO The unknown brig,
thinking that owing 60 the darkness of the night
she could not our position. | again hove
TO, and asked whether they were in want Of
10 board us. told them III I il such was their
intention. they must do so as soon as possible, as
was in hurry TO proceed upoa my voyage They
answered that if did not heave 10, they would
fire into me. | replied that was hove to, and
that they might fire as soon as they pleased. On
demanding our nationality, informed them that
was an American, from Rio de Janelro, bound to
Loanda. They stated themselves to be an Eug-
lish man. of war. Again | asked whether they
intended TO board. Without making any reply to
my demand, they told me to take ia my studdiag
calls. made answer, that my studding sail tacks
were let 90, but that should not take them in.
They replied, that if ! did not shorten sail they
my only answer. | again, for the third time, asked
whether they intended to board or not, and in
formed that they would do so shortly. Lieutenant
Temple, commanding officer, now came on board,
accompanied by Lieutenant DawIns, of II. B. M.
ste amer Rather; when learned that the brig was
the Dolphin, British Navy Lieutenant Dawkins
informed what papers he desired, he replied that
must show him my register, crew list, shipping art-
Giles, log book, port clearance invoice of cargo, and
all the papers belonging to my vessel This posi-
that if he wished 1t, would permit him to examine
my register and port clearance. He asked my
objections TO showing all my papers-to which l
replied he had no right to anything of the kind,
and that owing to the very abusive manner
they had displayed towards me, did not feel in
clined to do anything more than what was abso-
but after casual glance Al Cow kents signature,
Mr.. Dawkins pronounced II 10 be false. If that
paper is false" wassmy reply, "then all the
equally so, and il would be useless showing any
more.h however, passed him my port clearance,
which Mr. Dawkins, upon examination, remarked
was also wrong, not having Mr.. kents signature.
told him that thus speech confirmed my opinion
that he totally ignorant of his business, the
Consul's signature being here, not requisite, or ac-
cordlng TO rule, this document belonging exclusively
to the Custom House, and not therefore requiring
any.other signature, but that Gifts officers
| now asked Captain Temple what he intended
to do, as | should certainly show him nothing
more; To which he replied that he would let me
know in few moments, when he had consulted
with Mr.. Dawkins. After giving him what con-
sidered sufficient time to make up his mind, gave
he order to brace forwards | wished 10 be
again on my concentrations Temple imme-
dia,ely countermanded by ordering to keep all fast
" suppose" said |, 6 you intend TO take charge"
''Yes," was the answer; whereon ne hailed hs brig,
ofderssg MIR. Lowe, her first lieutenant, 10 come
on board; which he accordingly did bringing with
him thirty armed men was ordered below, with
my officers; sentry placed, with lolie m isset,
at my cabin door, as likewise AT the forecastic,
where my men also m4de prisoners.
The vessels course was nov altered, runniag
under short sail, until deyllght. AT : A. NJ made
sail, which proved TO be III. Il NJ. steamer
Cyclops, commanded by the Honorable Captain
Hastings, who boarded US at IL noon, accompanied
by Captain Temple.
Captain Hastings requested me " favor to
chow him my register, which ! Immediately COM
piled with. After examining the paper, he Informed
Captain Temple that the Louisa Beaton was
legal vessel as could sail, adding that he was
extremely sorry that such Il mistake should have
been made.
l0sked him whether he required to see anything
more, when he replied that the register was ail
that was necessary. Captain Hastings tried now
TO persuade me TO take charge agaa; but this l
positively refused 10 do, say ing that had cap
tured me Illegally, and that therefore decidedly
refused to take charge, under existing circumstan-
ces. Seeing that ! was not 20 be turned from my
resolve, informed that il was their deterni-
nation 10 convey me TO an American IN in-of-~a
to which replied that 1t was Presisely whnl
wished them do.
The vessel was now seered toward Ambrz,
where we arrived at six II M the charge Of my
brig being then delivered over 20 Mr. shepard.
aching sailing master Of the u. :. brig Perry,
who had been left in a launch, guarding this place,
while the above brig was cruising Nothing more
transpsed until TUESDAY, the 10 b, when the Perry
arrived Captain Foote, her commanding officer,
imms dstely came on board of my vessel, when 4
laid before him my complaint, Informing him of
the shameful manner In which had been treated
by the British officers. Captain FOoie requested
me 10 take charge again, which I consented to,
merely remsrking that "a had placed the whole
affair In his hands, should Of course act accord
ing 10 his judgment, trusting 20 hun TO see ms
riah;ed on all sides Csptsin FOote rePlisd that IL
was ertainy his intention 10 do so that so long
az the American flag was waved IN an hCnorshls
and l.gal nsnneI, !, wa. his eounden duty to pro-
deed, giving him more genuine pleasure than be-
inc so engaged; and he should protect me TO the
uttermost OF his power, being even wiling TO re-
main here, or accompany me to Lcanda II thought
Dy safety OF interest required a.
/ thanked him for his ready kindaess, and ac-
cepted his offer, as | expected TO have trouble
when arrived in Loanda | must here stop 70 al
lude 10 the kind and gentlemanly minner IN which
Captain Foote performed his high and important
duties. Whilst on one side protecting, 20 the utter
| most extent Of his power, me Americancommerce,
he was on the other hand, putting stop to the in
! famous traffic going with regard TO slavery, by
| the seizure OF the American brig Chatsworh, of
| baltimore Captain koote and his otlicerBare well
| worthy Of the highest APPRECIATION OF their coun-
trymen for their honorable conduct on this station
| 1 have now only TO remark. in conclusion, that IL
il my firm belief the United States could not have
| made choice Of man more competent of fulfilling
the arduous and responsible duties attending this
station, than Captain Foote. A. II. SAVAGE,
Master OF brig Louisa Beaton.
Board OF SUPERVISORS.
Nov 1s-At four o'clock the board met. His Henov
/ MAYOR Woepuult. In the chair The minutsa Of the