The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-18

SEIZURE AN AMERICAN wHALEsHIP.-PRoNPT INTERPRET
EScr or UNITED STATES oFFIorRs-We have been
politely favored (says the Baltimore SUM with the follow
ing extract from private letter from American dated
Port William Falkland Islands March IL which gives
interesting facts touching the seizure Of an American
whaleship by British vessel
In my last letter promised to give you some account
or the trying position have been placed in and 10
count TO you for presence in these islands When we
were at Montevdeo commodore received dispatches
from the United States commercial agent at these islands
W. W. SMILEY, esq alias Captain Smiley stating that six
teen deserters from the whaling ships Hudson and Wash
ington, then lying at New Island 1.-THE mos, southwest
wardy OF this group had arrived at the settlement Of
Stanley and through malice and desire do all posi-
bic harm to their captain they reported the governor
that said captain had been killing wild pigs on New
Island which against the law here The governor had
written 70 the admiral Of the British squadron on the
Brazil station to send armed here that he might
arrest the captains Of these vessels Captain Smiley think
ing that unjust and violent would be enacted re-
questod Commodore Salter to send a vessel He did so
and we arrived here the I'd instant On the morning
Of the Sd instant schooner stood in the harbor and
she passed close TO Capt Lynch observed English
naval officer and men-of-war's men on her deck
Suspectng that this the Washington, and had been
unawully seized by the British brig Express (which
sailed from Montevdeo shortly before u.s. he Immediately
ordered boats to be manned and prepare release
On boarding her officer recognised the English officer
as Lieut. Bushell X. N, who said that he had not the
command Of the vessel but put board by hs cap
tam Boys Of the Express that she brought by
her own captain into port which, think is about equva-
lent to asking the captain (Edridge for his papers The
captain said Mr. Bushell had taken them
Mr. Busheil then delivered US the papers Doubling
their right to arrest the captain and dsp,inp the seizure
Of the ship officer Lieut. Crosby took possession Of
her brought her under quarter and sent The English
officer and his men shore. Captain Edridge OF tho
schooner then on board and said that Hudson
and her tender this schooner lying New Island
when the brigofwar Express in and arrested him
self and Captain Cliff of the Hudson they said for kiln
ing wild pigs and ordered them to bring their vessels 10
this port to be duly tried for the offence The captains
Nhnme on thom) made not the slightest resistance but
some OF their refused do duty under English Off
GERS and put in irons The day the Hudson and
the Express arrived together We took possession
OF the HUDSON under the eyes Of the battery shore and
OF me Officers Of the Express whom IL they had resisted
we could have blown TO atoms in instant as our guns
were well shotted, and all ready
The Hudson and Washington are now rejoicing on
their homsward-bound passages for New Bedford These
the plain facts OF the case we EXPECT 10 leave here
in few days FOR Monteydeo where am enjoying she an
dcpaton OF hearing from home when arrive