The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-02
The Insult TO tho Falcon.

The Insult to tho Falcon.
The newspapers have been very much occu-
pied in all quarters with the alleged outrage on
the American flag, committed in the case OF the
Falcon, by Spanish man of war.
The Falcon is steamship owned by M. o.
ROBERTS and others, and although her COM
mander is an officer of the Navy, and although
she carries the UNITED STATES MAIL, she is
strictly merchant vessel, and no report has
been made to the Navy Department of the
firing by which she was brought TO, and spoken
by Spanish ship of war. The report of this
officer, which has been published heretofore, is
properly addressed TO her owner, NJ. o. ROB
rRTs, ESQ., We annex this report
U. s. MAIL STEAMER FALcoS,
HAVANA, Aug. IT, 1851.
STA: arrived here with the Falcon yesterday at
ternoon at o'clock, from Cbagres, which place
left at p m. of the 18th.
You will no doubt have heard by the Brother
Jonathan of the Ohio's accident. She left Chagres
on the 10Th, at p. m, and as long as she could be
seen appeared to get along almost as fast with one
wheel as she has done with two.
In consequence of the crippled state OF the Ohio,
we judged best for this ship to receive the maiis
and specie. was in hopes that the passengers oil
the Sarah Sands would reach Chagres in time to
take passengers with us; but up TO the time we left
there was no news of her arrival at Panama The
government here ia much troubled and alarmed by
the landing of a body of invaders from the United
States, and the expected arrival of more.
Yesterday, when running for this place, was
chased by steam frigate, but kept nay course and
she did not catch US; but another steamer, un-
der the command of the General of Marines,
tba nd md infe nted
us She fred four shots astern and ahead of US,
and at length, ranging alongside, hailed to
US to stop, which, after many repettions OF
his hail | did He sent an officer on board to
INQUIRE into the character of the ship, and wished
me to go on board of him, which refused to do,
telling him also should, upon my arrival at Ha-
vana make official protest concerning the affair
The lava OF nations and existing circumstances
may justify his course, and thought 1t better at
the time not to eopardize the lives of the passen
gers and interests of the owners by using my force
although it WAS at great sacrifice OF personal
feeling that refrained shall see the consul to-
day and make protest. The captain of the AL
bany and the consul have already told me that the
course pursued by these people was legal and pro-
per, but think it question.
Respectfully, &C.,
lsigned) HENRY RODGERS,
Lieut.. U. S. N, coming steamship Falcon.
To NJ. o. RoBERTs, esq.
1t is proper to add that we are informed
that upon the American CONSUL at Havana
calling on the CAPTAIS GENERAL Of CUBA, and
complaining to him OF the occurrence, the lat
ter expressed his regret, and said it should not
occur again; that it had now probably taken
place in consequence of the Spanish vessels
having new commander, who had recently
come to Havana, and did not know the Falcon.
The firing shots ahead Of the Falcon was
not necessarily either an insult or an aggres-
sion. 1t is mode frequently resorted to by
cruisers for the purpose of inquiring into the
character and objects Of a suspicious vessel
If it turns out that she is a lawful vessel, bound
on lawful voyage, an explanation is made, and
the vessel is suffered to proceed on her voyage
otherwise she ID detained.
The fact Of the Falcon having displayed hel
national colors does not alter the case, as the
showing of false colors is a stratagem generally
resorted to for the purpose of avoiding capture
We cannot doubt that the Spanish authori
ties will give the most satisfactory explanation:
Of this transaction.