New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-30
Antigua is dscufeed and the conduct Of Capt Fair
fax commented 90 with great severity.
THE AFFAIR OF THE CYANE AT ANTIGUA.

THE AFFAIR OF THE CYANE AT ANTIGUA.
From The lrii1a1 O,se7re-
Tie snceremonous appearance OF an American ship
ofwar in one Of our ports last week and the os,ensbe
cause Of her visit the chief topics Of conversation
and indignant comment for some days. There was
nothing extraordinary or Objectionable in the fact that
the commander Of vessel-ofwar, belonging TO for
egn power maintaining friendly relations with our
Government, had deemed il necessary to call upon our
Authorities for an explanation of any alleged grievance
but there was certainly enough to provoke ifeeng
il the knowledge that that commander had initiated his
proceedings by declining to offer respond TO the
tomaTy civilties which civilized nations well a. in
dviduas arr in the habit of exchanging when they
approach each other.
The refusal OF the Captain Of the Cyane to salute or
return salute from British man-ofwar lying in the
polt which she had entered, clear evidence that
he approached our shores in angry mood and that
he Lad, on tx parte evidence, prejudged the case
which subsequently he professed 10 have come ONLY to
investigate. The lmpre ssion, therefore, created on
most minds by this indication Of hostile feeling was
that had the commander of the Cyane found US ill.,
prepared to prevent outrages extremities of some
KIND might have been resorted to by him; and remem-
bering the shooting and burning at Greytown by the
en- captain and crew If this very vessel the appre-
beH-ion was at least natural.
Most Of our readers aware OF the circumstances
which induced the visit of the Cyane; but as these
nay possibly be misrepresented elsewhere, deem
1t essential to state them we believe they actually
occurred.
On the 9th Of November last, the Superintendent of
Police having received information that black man,
acting cook on board the American brgantine Lo-
aDgo, then lying in this port, had declared himself
slave, and, complaining of i'll usage from the captain,
had Cfer,d TO the boatmen who had obtained access
to him Of money for his deiyerance, that officer
repaired to the Treasury in order to ascertain the name
of the alleged slave to enable him to apply for writ
of habeas corpus to remove tho man from the vessel
Disappointed in his search, and finding only the num-
Der Of the crew, and not the names inherited in the
entry CT the vessel be frankly informed the Treasurer
Mr.. Price, of the object of inquiry, and having pre-
cd II. onf
to rame the writ, if required, Mr.. Shordche aud
Mr.. Price repaired on board the Loango accompanied
by revenue officer.
Arriving on board, Mr.. Price inquired whether any
goods remained umepOrted and receiving an answer
from the mate in the negative, the revenue officer was
directed to inspect the vessel and upon further queo-
ton as TO the correctness of the report OF the number
Of the crew, the mate voluntarily offered to muster his
men, which be accordingly did. The crew being thus
assembled, Mr.. ShOrdiche inquired whether they de-
sired TO prefer any complaint against the master, to
which the men replied in the negative; whereupon Mr.
Sbordche directed jackson Ia boatmanD to point out
the who had mentioned to him that he had a
plant to make, and the boamen then pointing to Ross
the alleged slave-stated that be had been informed
by him that he a slave and desired to obtain his
freedom.
The man Ross, upon tLis open disclosure being
made, appeared much terrified, and at first denied
that he was in bondage but upon Mr.. Shordiche and
Mr. Price alIayipg his fears by lnmating to him that
be in British port and if necessary would be
protected he confessed that he fugitive slave
from the State of Kentucky and had in company with
another slave escaped some weeks before in hope of
reaching Canada, but that difficulties arising, they
had altered their course to Philadelphia. The COM
panop Of bis fight had shipped on board vessel
bound for London, while he had obtained employment
on board the Loango, whose destination he was told
was st. Thomas
Messrs. Price & Shordche explained to The mate that
they were unprovded with any legal means just then
to remove the man, but that having received his state
ment and ascerained his name, they would on their
nolnr or.,,l Fora Of haf. IN
bring him before the proper authority. WhcreupOn
the mate ntmaiDg his desire to avoid further trouble
informed Ross that he had his mates free permission
TO go shore if he pleased and upon Ross acqualnt-
ing him that he had not completed his ordinary duties
the mate voluntarily excused him, and said he would
provide substitute and even offered to permit Ross
baggage to go shore with himself-an offer which
Mr.. Price declined.
The sfidavt of both Mr. Price and Mr.. Shordiohe
and the testimony of the people who accompanied
them on board so to prove that there was not the
slightest attempt at intimidation or Violence and that
the mate fairly made acquainted with the limits
of their legal authority. Indeed the idea OF violence
was altogether out of the question, the party who
went ON board entirely unpvovded with
weapOns, the baton of office which the two police
men-whO, dressed in plain clothes, were only allowed
by their superintendent, at the suggestion OF MIR.
Pice, to assist in rowing the boa--carried and the
entire party only consisted Of Mr.. Price, the revenue
officer, and Mr. ShoIdche, beside the four rowers,
among which was included the policemen aforesaid.
The substantial correctness of the above details we
have taken much pains to ascertain, and We feel that
beside the honor due to them for obeying the noble
impulses of humanity, both Messrs. Pnoe and Sbor-
diche conservators of law and ORDER adopted the
course most likely to save disturbance.
They Were unwilling to for writ OF habeas cor
pus upon report, and at the same time they were
fully aware that the belief spreading among our
population that human being was detained as chat
lei in our harbOr would have quickly occasioned ag-
gressons on the property and persons OF the captain
and crew of the Loango which mig have resulted IN
consequences fearful to contemplate Both the gentle
men lad an undoubted legal right to board the Loang0
while living in this harbor, and the other as a peace
officer when be had reason to believe that disturb
ance was impending; and both acted with the utmost
tact in accomplishing praiseworthy object, and
avorting those unpleasant consequences which were
sure TO have ensued but for prompt interference.
Tie same right would have been exercised, and Is
exercised by these officers at any time, to board
British vessel when circumstances render il desirable
to do So and it is rather too much to demand or expect
that immunity should be granted to foreign vessel
which not claimed by, and if claimed would not be
conceded TO- one of our own.
TO pirate about insult to the American flag, or an
invasion of the sacred right Of American citizens in
this case is simply absurdity worthy of the lmpu-
dence of the American characi,r Where Is the re-
spect paid to nationality, when British vessel for
purposes ofcommeIce goes into some OF the American
Slave ports, and whatever be the rank, position or re-
sponsibiiy board the ship of any happening TO
posses tngo of sable in his complexion. he orciby
dragged out OF his vessel and incarcerated in filthy
prison.
Hapless, indeed Is the fate Of the unucky wretch
if he is unable his Captain is unwilling to deayt the
cost of bis maintenance while in that dungeon. Sod
bv public outcry life Of servitude in the riceswamps
of Carolina or in the canefeds of louisiana Il his lot,
while the name of Bron, to which he lays claim, in
hope that it may relax the rigor of bis bondage, is
echoed back cruel derision by his reenness task
masters. We know of more than one personal &C
Quantanco who three years ago made 10 taste
In NJ IN all on VIII