The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-30

so. But be cautious Mr.. Editor, he does not like
thing diluted and is we'll posted up spiritual
pints and will detect the smallest f0re1 gn sub.
stance, mix it as you will After all, when you
come 10 shake up this fourth proof defender OF the
faith think You will find be carries very poor
bead. MECkLENBURG.
The Ell DOrad do Outrage.-The facts Of
the Case.
The brief alluson made by yesterday to
the late outrage upon the steamer FL Dorado by
Spanish lrigate was based upon unofficial intel
ligence, but so well authenticated that we felt
authorized to rely upon its correctness. We have
been favored by the State Department with copy
of letter of Captain Gray, the Comma nder OF the
Ell Dorado, addressed to the acting American
Consul a, Havana, which we publish below, and
which fully susans the account on which our
comments o. yesterday were made. The insult
TO our flag was fragrant, wholly unpro:oked, and
without the shadow of paIliation. An armed
Spanish man.of- war deliberately fires two shots at
one Of our regular mail steamers, stops her on her
voyage by force, and compels her TO submit to
search by Spanish official It is difficult to con-
ceive of Il grosser outrage upon our national flag,
or a more deliberate insult 10 our rational honor,
or a holder assertion Of 'the right Of search"
If the case takes the usual course, the facts will
be forwarded 10 Madrid, where the Spanish gov
eminent will be called upon for reparation. The
Spanish government will claim time to send to
Havana to procure evidence; and in the mean time,
whilst this delay takes place, other American
vessel will be fired into and searched by another
Spanish frigate, and in this way the insult and
injury are never acknowledged atoncd for
We will not pursue the subject, but only remark
,ha, our flag and honor have been insued and
the right of search practically asserted. We have
full confidence that the President will do his duty
Faithfully in the premises. The letter of Capt.
Gray is as follows :-Washington Union.
STEAMSHIP Ell DORADO, Havana. March 8, 1865
Sir: have TO report to you that on the night
of the 9Th instant, while on my passage from
Aspinwall IN. g. towards this place, with the
United States mails and California passengers,
was fired at and brought to by the Spanish frigate
"Ferolona," the circumstances of which are these :
The night beautifully clear, with smooth sea
and light breeZes from The south and the east
AT twenty minutes past midnight | made Cape
Antonio light, bearing north by west, (per COM
pass,) steering north by west ) west, and few
minutes afterwards ship was seen on our port
bow with her head to south and west and courses
hauled up. AT about lis, when she two
points forward OF the beam. and distance from ha
TO three quarters of a mile, without signal Of any
description, she fired shot at u.s. which fell about
twenty yards from the skip on port side, abreast
Of fore rigging.
| Immediately ordered the helm put star
board, and ran down towards her, intending to
pass under her stern, but when within three hun
dred yards of her, she fired second shot, which
passed but short distance the port Wheel
house from forward TO aft, The engines having
been previously slowed stopped them and ranging
up under her stern, asked what he wished. He
replied by asking what ship it was, and where
was from. | told him the United States mail
steamship GEL Dorado" from Aspinwall, bound to
Havana. He then told me TO back and wait
After stopping some minutes again hailed and
asked him what he wanted. and to know If he was
going to keep me there all night. He answered
by saying he would send boat alongside, which
be Gid. When the officer came on board, he re-
quesled to see the papers. | showed him the
clearance from the United States consulate a,
Aspinwall, and also the bill Of health after reading
which, he told ME could proceed so soon as the
boat got short distance from the ship. The de-
,ention Of stopping being about forty five minutes
besides running out of my course.
" | would further remark, that during the whole
night my signal lights were burning bright and
clear, and that | was pursuing my course al dis
lance of fully eight zen miles from any land
and without the intention Of violating the laws of
any country.
| remain, with respect, your obedient serv't
ALFRED G. GRAY.
W. H. ROBERTSON, esq, United States Consul
We, William Brown, second mate, and Joshua
H. WaIcott, passenger, c! the steamer 'El Do
rado,' which arrived yesterday morning at Ha-
vana, from AspinwaII, do hereby declare that the
statements contained IN the foregoing report
signed by Alfred q. Gray, captain OF said steamer,
true and correct said Brown was, when the
occurrence took place, the officer of the deck,
and said Walcott was also on deck part of the
time, WILLIAM BROWN
J, Fl. WALCOTT.
SENSIBLE VIEws.-A lady correspondent Of
the Home Journal, touching upon the "exrava.
gance question:" gives the following anecdote.-
The sensible father might have thought, although
he, as semi-monaire, could bear the expense
OF costly dress, the robing of the lads in /, might
give them tastes and habits (no pun intended)
which in manhood they would, quite likely, want
the fortune needed COR their honest qualification
The wealth that in the hands OF one will purchase
luxury and sPlendor, "moderate circumstances :"
truth that some rich parents seem TO forget when
docking out and -indulgIng their children in style
the children may never be able to keep up. 1t is
not well 10 accastom the young 10 expenditures
on them or for them much beyond what thew
probably can compass in after adult life. 81 knew
lady, whose husband the undoubted and
honest pOssessor Of half million Of dollars who
was about to purchase Genoa velvet Jackets for
her boys-boys handsome enough 10 grace the
regal fabric-when her husband restrained her
saying, You afford il: but Mrs. r. who