Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-16
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1853.
ENGLISH INSULTS TO AMERICA.

standing the lessons taught England in the
wars of the Revolution and of 1812-not-
outstanding the proofs of Americas valor
since shown by US towards France and
MISUNDERSTANDING the evidences of
our inherent ability to defend ourselves, at
moments warning, against the world in
arms-there appears to be class of English
statesmen, naval and military commanders,
book makers, travelling lecturers, and
editors, who are SO filled to overlooking
with hatred and jealousy of America, that
they are ever ready to develope it on all
possible occasions.
Witness the course of the English diplo-
matists and press with reference to our
annexation of Texas; remember what was
said and done by British agents here and
at home on account Of our obtaining the
treasures of Mexico, California, and Ore
gon; call to mind the impertinent interfe-
renee in our affairs by John Bull Chatfeld,
In Central America, think of the insolent
course pursued toward Our hardy fishermen
within sight of our Eastern coasts,-look at
the recent outrage, by the dictation of Eng
lishmen, at San Juan Del Norte, now
look, again, at the infamous proceedings of
their Infamous steamer Devastation, in
stopping and searching American ships on
the high seas
The most recent case of this kind is
thus officially narrated in a letter from
Havana to the New York Herald:
HAVANA, April 7, 1858.
DEAR sIR:-Please publish the following, as re-
ported by Captain James OTIS of the ship Harriet,
Of Bath -
On the morning of March 31st last, running from
the Donbe Headed Shot Keys, he was fired at by Her
Britannia Majesty's Steamer Devastation (as she was
afterwards found to be) He hoisted his colon, and
hove the nain-topsail aback. The steamer, after
steering several different courses came up and tod
him Captaia OTIS that she should serd his boat on
board. Captain Otis repiied, ST don't care whether
you do or not" The steamer did send her boat off
with two officers in her, and demanded his papers;
went below and searched the ship and detained her
over an hour, with a ten knot breeze. After some
further parley, the boat left the ship and Captain
As for myself my mind is made up that there is
not an Englishman aloat that shall examine the
papers search the vessel which have charge of,
short of using coercive measures.
A. JEwETT, Barque Faith, of Portland.
In view Of so bare faced and disgraceful
an insult as this, we cannot but admire the
patience and resignation of the American
CnV AMI nd 10 No <3o
how We could possibly show more digni-
fed and courteous spirit than we do. At
the same time, it may do no harm to adj
monish Great Britain, in the most polite
and gentle manner possible, that there
really IS point beyond which .forbearance
'caH cease to be virtue. 1t may be neces-
sary to drop very civil note to the Hon.
Mr.. Champion, kindly enquiring of him if
he can tell us the cause Gf any exist for
these repeated stoppings of American YES
sells on the high seas, and especially within
a few miles of our own Keys on the South
ern coast! And, also, let US, please, very
mildly enquire what important national
VI paw auO LUcICy IL Is lUat pflDgS
this very interesting steamer "Deuastatio,a''
into our immediate waters!
The Devastation belongs in the North
What does she in the South?
Oh she is in pursuit of slavers
Indeed! But how comes it to pass that
all the vessels she thinks proper to stop on |
their voyages, detain and board, are Amer
ican9 Why do we not hear of similar in
references with British vessels? Is there
no '.protection'' in the American flag? Are
there no ''sailors rights under the stripes
and stars? Must American ships, in the
pursuit of lawful commerce, be held subject
as a matter of course to the petty invasions.
delays and insults Of the myrmidons of the
British crown
If these things were done on the coast of
Africa, along the shores of Guinea, or in
the channel of the Mozambique, we should
think and care less about them. But when
it comes to this, that our fishing vessels are
run down, dismasted and confscated in our