The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-01
The Black warrior.

We publish day letter addressed to the New York
Courier and Enquirer, by r. w. Shufeldt who com
manded the Black Warrior when she was fred into off
the coast OF Cuba few days ago. giving the particulars
Of that occurrence Captain Shufeldt seems apologize
for The conduct OF the Spanish brig while he contends
that our flag not insnlled, and that he gave no
just Of offence As,o the two latter points,
he Is right. He gave no just offence, and our flag
was not nsulted, for it was not in view; but still
the Spanish brig cannot, in our opinion, be justified
and we think the case is not in the least improved
by the protestation that there intention to show
dsrespect TO the Spanish cruiser That vessel had no
pennani flying TO give notice OF her character; and when
she did give notice Of her character she gave according
TO Captain Shueldt opportunity for the Black War
ror TO display her Gag before shotted gun was fred
If "occurs often, when merchantmen fall in with men,
of.war who cruising any particular ground for a
specific object" that they fred into without warning
the bad one. and ought to be discontinued or
suppressed But we apprehend that there must be
some mistake. for custom can hardly prevail which
would cover the Of the Black Warrior II we do
msnierpret Captain Shufedts letter. there moth
ing TO show that the Spanish brig was vessel of war
II seems then, that il was not an act Of dscourtesy in
the Black Warrior 10 pass without showing her Gag.
The smoke from gun first disclosed the fact that the
brig national vessel. and then, Captain Shufeldt
says, the order insianiy given to display flag, and
that shoed gun fred before It was possible TO sx
ecule the order at is the right and duty OF vesselo
war;, Captain Shueld states ito the flag Of every
vessel that passes within the range of her guns but
contend that is neither the duty the right OF YES
selofwar to crafty curiosity by the summary process
adopted in the case of the Black Warrior While men.o
war claim the rights and privileges Of national vessels they
should wear conspcuously the marks and badges which
proclaim their character They surely cannot be justified
when they disguise themselves by assuming the appear
anee OF merchaHmen, and without notice fire into peace
able vessels for emitting act of respect to their
nationality II custom imposes peculiar duties and con-
fers peculiar rights on men-of-w war when cruising on
any particular ground for specific object the Spanish
brig in the present instance Justify her conduct by
specific duty to arrest savers and the rights incident to
thai duty Even If it not notorious that The hiebe.
Spanish officials engaged in the slave trade the fact that
steamships have been and cannot be employed in
that trade would have suiced to secure the Black War
rior from harm. We must confess tina, we are tired OF
hearing Of explanations and apologies for stopping Amer
can vessels, firing into Them on the high seas ANY
petty nation thinks II may wrong our ships and we vii,
gladly consider the matter " honorably adused,, on
the mere allegation OF mistake, insincere pro-
fession Of regret and worthless apology without
adequate teparaton to be followed By repetition of
the wrong at the first convenient cpPeriuny. We have
no faith in thess Mistakes and consideration for sneh
apologies for We have never heafd that foreign officer
va syrpunishsd I'd, for stopping an Amsr
ship Why do of our captains commodores
make mistake occasionally, and stop foreign ship