New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-05-24
BRITISH CRUISERS AND AMERICAN
EE&sEI.S.

VESSELS.
The British naval officers no doubt IL pursuance Of
instructions from their Government, are carrying
matters With high hand in the waters and ports Of
the Gulf Of Mexico. few days since we noticed the
firing into and search Of the schooner Mobile. Since
then have received accounts OF the search Of the
bark W. H. Chandler and brig Martha Gilchrist-both
American vesseis--in the port Of Sagua lie Grand,
Cuba.
The Philadelphia North American, last received
gives an account of the boarding snd search Of the
American ship Tropic Bird, Capt Foulkes. portion
Of which we suhioin. The Captain says
The Tropic Bird. under my command, on the I'd
inst on her passage home from Port su Prince when
SIX miles from Inagua, was brought to and boarded
by the British gunboat Jasper The Jasper on near.
ing the fropIc Bird fired gun, when ran up my
coors aud kept on my course; she then finding that
we were passing her, fired shot across our stern and
while was in stays fired another. / then hove to
and an officer from the Jasper came on board. |
asked him by what right he stopped an American
ship on the high seas He said that they had been
appfsed Of several vessels being expected with slaves
and that they took for one. He then asked me to
see my papers, TO which demand after demonstrating,
! submitted He then turned towards his boat and
ordered the ship to fill away at that order the officer
told me that should be fired into il proceeded be-
lore ne lett the ship, which threat disregarded The
Iropic Bird, 80 far from having the appearance OF
shaver, was deeply laden with coffee and ogwood and
being short.handed was beating up to lnagua I'M
der easy sail. At the time the Jasper fired the two
shotted guns she not more than four hundred
yards distant and there being board eighteen pas
sengers in ALL eleven OF whom were women and chill
dren, they could be plainly seen without glass.
Here are four American vessels, we know Of, that
have been boarded and searched by British war yes
sels either in neutral port, the common high
way Of the ocean. How many more have been treated
with similar indgnity we are unable to say, neither
can tell how often or how long this Dissertation of
our national flag will be submitted to by the very
quiet, peaceable and timid old fogy gentleman who
now holds the executive department Of the Govern
ment with feeble and irresoIute grasp.
In the brave old times that preceded the last dec
laration Of war against Great Britain. HESRY CLAY,
in tones offervid eloquence and tremendous empha-
sis, declared that THE colors which ioated at the
mast head should be the credentials Of our seamen'
every sea, under every sky, and in every cline.
He carried his point, war ensued which ended glo-
rously, and the national honor was indicated and
maintained. Were spark of the ancient feeling re-
naming in the present Government the outrages we
have enumerated would not go without ample apology
andredress an instant longer than demand could be
made.
As pertinent to this subject we submit the follow
ing action taken by the ship Of New York; as
stated in the New York Times Of the nth inst
An informal meeting OF shipowners, shipmasters
and Others was held on Saturday afternoon at Del
monicos, when, after an interchange OF views upon
the subject of the recent outrages of the British West
India squadron upon American vessels, the following
resolutions were unanimously passed, as eIlbodying
the sentiment of those present:
Resoued That the late measures OF insolent search
OF American merchantmen instituted by British naval
IN he WQaf iz a n n Our
rights-inuri0ns to our commerce--and insulting in
the extreme to our national honor
Rssolped, That the navgators Of this meeting
assert that their experience in foreign waters has
proved that the American Navy has ever afforded to
American seamen but little or no protection.
ResOired, That Congress should require and assist
the Administration to enforce retribution for every
high-handed wrong, so as to render the American
name terror throughout the world.
ResolUsd, That tour flag covers the cargo
whether that cargo consists Of niggers or nothing
and that freedom from search " is an Americans
inalienable right at much as freedom from
the intrusion Of foreign police in our domcils on
shore.
Resolved, That a meeting of shipowners, ship !
masters sailors and other citizens be called on Tues
day afternoon, at o'clock. in the Merchants Ex- |
change, to take such measures as may be deemed
necessary TO force Congress TO take such action as
shall preserve invioate from British jealousy and
noyance so much Of our Republic is afloat the
high seas.
committee was appointed TO get up the demon |
straton on Tuesday.
We hope the demonstration was an imposing one,
and trust It will be followed by similar demonstrations
in all the important seaports Of the country. The
people must move themselves before they can hope
for a movement on the part of the Government
CART. REID, OF THE PRIyATEER GENERAL ARM
srRosG.--A Among the visitors of the city, says the
National IntelIigenceri Of the 18th, we have been
pleased to see, in good health and preservation the
veteran and gallant Capt Samuel c. Reid, OF the |
priyateer Armstrong celebrity. The battle of the |
priyateer brig General Armstrong with the British
feet, at Faya in 1874 was one of the most brilliant
naval engagements that occurred during the war and
we well remember the thrill Of enthusiasm that the
news OF the fight sent through the public heart. A
singular coincidence occurred in the Senate yester-
day, in connection with this gallant gentleman.
Senator Foster. Of Connecticut, was debating the
Fishing Bounty bill and in abiding to the noble
deeds Of our brave sailors on the ocean in the naval
battles during the last war spoke in high praise of
the glorious defense made by the prvateer General
Armstrong. when just at this moment, Capt Reid,
who commanded the brig, entered the Senate cham
Der.
A Boy KrLLED.--0n the night Of the 10th diff. !
Guilty occurred in Charleston, s. c., between man
named F. Anderson, alias James Hayes, and Scotch
lad, aged IL, named Colin Campbell, when the for
mer stabbed the latter causing his death in short
time. The murderer was arrested
The NORTHERN RAILROAD FRAuDs.-The charges
against Henry Dwight the New York broker, seem
almost incredible from the magnitude of the fraudulent
which they embrace. Dwight is charged |
with having used, at various times, four million dol
lars Of mortgage bonds, of them being used for
the purpose of laying down double track, as agreed
nnon He IL said n have syi.a, ,,,crt,,a 30 hoi - /