Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-18
OUTRAGE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG.

maica.
OUTRAGE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG.
We copy at length from the New York Times
the statement of the master of the schooner Mobile
concerning the late outrage perperated by the COM
manding officer of the British steamer "Styx." We
would suggest that the repetition of such occurren
ces is partly due to negligence Of their own inte
rests on the part Of own shpowners and masters.
We have known instances of this Sort less Hagran in
deed which have occasoned no regular complaint at
head quarters. The Executive cannot be expected to
take efficient steps, upon the faith of mere newspaper
publications. The parties Interested should at once
present formal complaint, accompanied with Ger
tilted depos!ons setting forth all the details of the
occurrence.
Capt. Howe Of the schooner Mobile which arrived
on Tuesday complains that his vessel apd himself
were made the subject Of serious outrsge ON the
part of British war vessel, while on bis voyage
hither from Mobile, and while passing Key West.
Captain Howe bss furnished our reporter with the
following statement Of the circumsisncea
"On the 29th ut. l WIS about 25 or 30 miles south
of Sand Key Light there was good strong breeze
from E. N. E and choppng ses; my schooner was
under double reefed mainsail whole foresa, and
three bst was perfectly cear;I judged of my situa.
ton from the fac. that sighted Sand Key Light about
three hours after falling in with the steamer the yes.
sol was on the starbosrd tack, and heading 10 the
northwsrd; first the steamer about noon q long
way to windward, could not make out what she was
at O'Clock, 2. NJ, took my glsss and discovered
che was stenmer, and was apparently running across
my bows; told the mate il might be all American
naval steamer from some port in Cuba bound to Key
West. Having taken my observation and got dinner,
l went below and turned in, thinking no more about
Between and o'clock p. NJ, my oldest daughter
came and walked me, Captain HOWE had his wife
and two children with him. chs asking what is that
vessel doingi l got up aud looked out of my cabin
window, tfhe cabin is On deck and saw the vessel
was running down to me-, as If to cross my stern. Ny
impression was that abe intended to speak me- and
went out on deck TO snswer the hail in che did
so. ordered the mate at the same time 70 act the
ensign. The mate said, 81 believe she is an Engrh
steamer" He had been looking at her with his
glass. The steamer, which wac rigged a. a bark,
rounded to within musket shot of my weather quar-.
ter, when saw be had the British ensign flying. e
was then within haing distance. The schooner's
course was not changed At that moment, heard
TWO reports as Of musket in quick auccessicr and
instantly ball came whizzing between two men
who were at work on the rigging. I then ordered
the mate to haul the orestaysa sheets 10 wind ard
the wheel WAS put down, and The schooner hove
to. After This had been done tro more shots uerc
fred, ball struck The vessel abaft the fore chsina,
and the other passed the main deck amid hips.
The second mate and two men were at work on the
jumper stay, sitting on bales of cotton amid ships
they said they felt the wind OF the ball a. it passed
over their heads | also heard the whiZZng of the
ball as it passed. stood with my gass in hand. Oh.
serving the movements board the steamer sl the
time, and saw them clearing away the boat as il 10
board me. II is The universal custom at sea, IT 8n
armed vessel wishes board another FIRE gun.
and il il il not beeded o fire second, and "a last
resOr TO fire shot the Vessels fore foot.
at oss to conjecture what the steamers trest
ment Of me could mean The proceedings suggest.
ed 10 my mind that she might be pirate. My iami
Sal. o,1I
were very much alarmed My little girl, who Is only
five years old, wanted TO come on deck, but her
mother would not let her. She said:
Mother, if wac father, I'd get one Of Mr.. Hop
kins' awful guns and kilIem." MIR. Hopkins, ms
mate, kept two loaded guns on board l confess
'elt mad at the conduct Of the steamer. The boat
with six men and lieutenant came alongside, and
without saying a word, the officer came on deck, and
addressing no one in particular, asked:
Q.-Where is this vessel FRONT
answered from Mobile.
Q.--Wherei il she boundl
Anew York.
Q-Whereis ia che owned'
A. s owned in New York. .hen thought il
! was my turn, and said:
Q.-'Wby did you tire into us1 Did you take us
! for s!averi
Ono; didn't you see man . war TO windward'
| Allow should know you was a man o'war
Otiicer.--Ddn't you our pennant
Captain.-l didn't see it, and, besides, We very Of.
| ten see American and Spanish o'war with their
| colors flying, but they never interfere with me-
| have been going up and down the gulf Tor twenty
years, and this ls the fret time was ever interered
| with. The officer, with head erect and with a
| naughty manner, degped no reply, but asked what
is the number of your crew1 l answered ten meD;
and l also have one passenger, my wife and two
children.
| Officer.-1 want to see your papers.
| went into the cabin, followed by the Lieutenant
and taking out my enrolment and license, handed
them to him. keeping my manifest in my hand.
Oificer-Where is your register You ought to
have Register
answered, coasting vessels do not have Regis
ters, they sai under coastng license. then hand
cd him my manifest, saying. here is my clearance from
Mobile in regular FORM He examined il. and laid il
on the table. | asked, "Hsve you got through II
you have, wish to proceed. II is very strange you
should commence boarding vessels in This wayF'
! Ofticer-Ws have orders from our Government
to board every vessel We fall in with passing up OF
| down the Gulf
The Officer then got into hs boat and went on board
bis steamer, and I filled away and made sai on my
voyage The steamer continued hove TO l noticed
two or three foreign looking vessels passing, which he
| paid no attention to.
| The whole proceeding was unusual, unoalied Tor
ungentlemanly unoficer-like and, on the whole, an
unmitigated outrage.