Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-04-19
An American Priyateer.

+
+ $ essss - -
/ , An American Priyateer.
/ During the war with England, and while
stationed on the Barbary coast, we were
surprised one day, while Exploring the ruins
of Carthage, to see sharp, clipper built
schooner, under full sail, with an American
flag floating. 10 brisk breeze, doubling
Cape Bon, and making direct for the bay.
We rode down to the fortress Of Goletta,
ordered launch to be made ready, and
found ourselves alongside the schooner,
just as she had cast anchor,
"Where are you froms" ss
"From Boston," replied the captain, q
smart dashing looking young fellow.
sin what passager,
"Fwenty-lhree days, sir.'' -
We began to have onr n1isgivings =
Twenly-three. days from Boston? We
suspected she had been fitted out at Mar
sellles, to cruise in the M Medi.erranean. -
Il was the Abaellino, Captain Wyer, of
SIX guns, and seventy five men,-a mag
nlfcent little craft. We went down in the
truck cabin. a ~ $,ss
sNow, sir," said the Captain, ''Pll con-
vince you that we are from Boston, and
will SHOW you Boston notions Of every kind,
from pumpkins and smoked herrings down
to wooden nutmegs." He soon filled the
table with all sorts OF good cheer, and sound
comforts, with which the Bos,oniaus know
well how 10 furnish ship. And here,
said be, is the "Bos,on Sentinel" Msjor
Russell's paper. ALI doubts were now al
an end, and while we had been partaking
Of fare to2which we had been accustomed
-homely fare, but more welcome on that
Accountable captain said:
eli you are surprised at our short pas
sage so far up the editerranean, what
will you say when l tell youi. is just sixty
days since the keel ofihis vessel was laid in
Boston, but here we nreP' 81
We could scarcely credit it. -
"Nay that's not all, s.r," continued cap.
tain w yer. "On my way here, off Ca.
gliari, captured two large British ships
filled with valuable cargoes, ana order ed
them. for this port. They will be here 10
morrow morning" .rz....
"W hat in neutral port, in which the
British exercise unlimited influence? They
will never permit us to sell the cargoes."
swell, sir, we can only try"
Sure enough, mex. morning early, the
ancient city OF Tunis, honored once by the
presence OF Sipio Afrieanus, Hannibal, and
oIber distinguished personages, known TO
history, was thrown into the greatest COM
motion on seeing two large and deeply laden
ships entering, The port, the stars and stripes
floating over the union jack. II startled
the British consul and all the corps dspto.
nsatiqus, and soon we saw the whole bevey
on horseback, making for the palace.
81 smell sulpher, y said the captain
There's storm brewing and we shall have
it soon.
In an hour a message arrived by man.
eluke that we were wanted at the palace.
Alter making ourtoilet, Sdi Anibrosio, our
Chancellor, and Muslapha, the dragon man.
were soon mounted, and off we paced at a
moderate rate for Bardo. The consular
corps were all present when we entered the
salta. The Bey reclining as usual on his
tlarge crimson cushions, was buslly engaged
combing his long beard with tortoise shell
comb, studded with brilliants, and looking
unusually grave. =
s'M hat does all this mean, consul-two
British prizes entering our port, and for
what purpose!' -,ls@
$40 sell them, your highnessf' @
"What, against our treaty with Eng.
!and2,' s@ 71 V<s
.'Certainly not, if there is such a prohi.
btion in the treaty"
l. Tho Ryifish crpst,l a rnos$ excnl lent noan
unroiled The parchment. 10 which a seal oI
wax was appended, nearly as large as one
OF our western cheeses, and commenced
| reading, as follows:
II is further stipulated and agreed upon,
that no European power at war with Eng,
lard shall be permisled to fit out privateers
or other armed vessels to cruise against the
commerce Of Great Britain from, or bring
prises into the Tunician ports.
Swell, sir" said the Bey, "what have
you to say to thai? Is it not full and ex
clusivee''
'Entirely so, but it does not apply to US
We are no, European power =
"rhat, SIR" said the British consul, is
mere evasion Of this section of our treaty
1t was intended to apply, and does apply
to all Christian powers +"
"Very probably, sir; but we are not I
/ Christian power!' The whole court looked
amazed The Bey raised himself up fron
his cushions, took q hearfy pinch Of smut
from splendid diamond box, and gave al
anxious and inquiring look.
/ elbow will.you makesthut appear,
! said the British consul. q
'.Very easily, sir" We then read th'
following section from our treaty with Fri
!. poll:
{. tsAs the United States is in no manner
4 Christian Government. and eniertains n
/ hostility toward any determination, it i
4 hereby understood that no disturbances shal
arise between the two powers on any relig
ious question" J" y
/ II was useless to argue the point further