The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-11-03
4 TRUE HISTORY OF rue BATTLE OF FAYAL.

TRUE HISTORY OF THE BATTLE OF FAYAL.
BY singular incident the other day letter dis
covered be file in the Department Of State from Chas
W. Dabney ESQ., consul Fayai which clears up the
contested point which has been Of dispute between
the United States and Portugal for quarter Of
century to who first violated the neutrality Of that port
in the bloody conflict that took place between the priva
eer brig General Armstrong aud the boats Of large
British fleet in 1914 The English eontended that the
American brig rs: committed the assault The was
referred to the arbitration OF the Emperor Louis Napoleon
who decided in favor Of England, which released the
sponsbility Of Portugal An officer of our navy, who
happened be Fayal year two ago was informed
by Mr. Dabney that he present during the fight and
having seen that the Emperor of France had decided the
case against this government wrote letter TO the Secre
tary of State giving full account Of all the facts This
information being impaired conversation the other
day. led to the discovery Of this important document
which, us a matter OF history will prove OF much interest
to our readers The plain manly statement Of Mr. Dabney
every word Of which impressed with TRUTH throws
light on this yexed question than all the other documents
that have ever published 1t establishes the great
fact that the English the agQ ressors and the cloud
which hung the historical record of the acts Of those
gallant men been dssipated by the noble act of Dab
ney and the record is restored fun brlaney The let
ter is as follows
[So. 1907 Consulate THE U. S. ron THE AZORES,
Faya, May Il, 1853
SR The Of h Majesty Napoleon III in the of
the General Armstrong having just met my eye feel i'm
ped BIZ reg for national honor well justice
the that unparalleled affair." to disavow on their
part the slightest infringement of the neutrality OF this port
The peeunay amount is OF no consequence to but can
not brancy of that action to be furnished the
a,ip
heard his Majesty be the arbitrator felt assured
that the would be thoroughly investigated and that
there would be any doubt to the result and confess
that was sadly disappointed to find that from some
or other the case had been rightly understood by bis
Majesty
Ia the summer of 1914 the British sloop-owar Thais
and brig Calypso cruising this station Their
commanders were prudent When the brig-otwar
Carnatiun in sight it supposed to be the Ca
ypso and apprehensons were entertained as we felt
commander would attempt TO violate the
neutrality of the port But when we were informed that
fgate and larger vessel were IN company we concluded
that It must Panaganet igate Rota, and brig
Carnaon, under the command Of Mad Loyd,* (the same
made the senseess attack on Granny lsand) who had
been here eeks before and had boosted that he had
built expressly for cutting out American prvateer and
that he would destroy them wherever he fouud them.
Knowing what had expect (being then in 2lst
year) by father CONSUL OF the United Statc)
to recommend Captain Reid slip his cable and warp his
vessel under the guns of the castle While
board Carnaton anchored within pistol of the ARM
strong the rigate about mile and the about mile
distant yet under sa being calm, and boats passing
between English vessels Captain Reid Immediately gave
into effect the advice that had communca
ted to him. and came on shore just landing (en
minutes had left the Armstrong; heard the report of
musketry and after, Captain Smith, who had gone
board Captain Reid, shore with message
the latter informing that while in the act OF warpng
had been approached by four boats containing by e
hundred and twenty men, that they warned
repeatedly approach that be would fire into them,
which, instead of needing only seemed to stimulate their
ertons; and, there could be mistake of their in
take them by surprise attention being paid
the warning, he had ordered his to fire. which
was immediately returned from the boats killing one
man. and woundng the first lieutenant but having found
their reception warm, they sued for quarter, which
was Immediately granted (they then nearly along
side of the Armstrong; Captain Smith deputed by
Capt request father take the necessary
for his protection and sent in quest of the governor
whom found at Judge ArriagaS, mile from town. was
commissioned to request him to demonstrate with Captain
Lloyd the force under his command being wholly made
quae to cope with that Of the British squadron, and to
allow send thiry-two American that had
here to defending the Armstrong should she be
again attacked The latter request the said he
could grant, would be infringement of the
tray his part but he accompanied me forthwith to town.
and lost in despaching of his aids with an
official Captain Lloyd returned verbal an
swer indicative of his intention and three hours after the
grand made the Armstrong then within forty
yards of the Castle.
These simple require comment they admit OF no
Doubt If could be any doubt the character of the
is circumstance Of the greatest Importance IN
forming correct opinion of the case
send plan of the harbor showing the relative position
Armstrong during the first and second engagements
trust that my motive addressing you this occasion
will appreciated and, with the highest consideration and
respect have the honor to be, sir
Your obedien servant,
CHAs w. DABSEY.
Hon. W. L. MACY,
Secretary of State u. s.
with the French language and, if neccs
sary would willingly go Paris to afford any explanation
that may be required. DABNEl.
can prove the British vice consul who then
siding on the opposite of Pco, letter boar
the Commodores hours before they ancbored
conseq uenty necessity for "reconnoring
,ith four BOATS full OF armed men.
United States Of America, Departments Of State:
To all whom these presents shall come, greeting:
certify that the paper hereunto annexed is true copy,
transcribed from and carefully coated with the original pa
per on file in this department.
In testimony Whereof l. William J.. Marcy, Secretary Of
State the United States have hereunto subscribed my
name and the seal of the Department Of State to be
affixed.
Done the city of Washington this first day Of November
A. d. 1885, and of the independence OF the United States of
. America the s0th
w. l.. MARCY.
"A distinction bestowed upon him by his countymen