Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-06-03
From the Charleston Standard.
The British Outrages.
CAPTAIN nAnrLErr's STORY As GIVEN nY HIMsEL

CAPTAIN DARTLETT's STORY AS GIVEN NJ HIMSELF.
Capt. John X. Bartlett, of Portland, Me-, Com
manler of the ship CLARENDON, arrived Mt this port,
on Thursday night, in the steamer Isabel, Captain
Rollins, from Havana. We called upon him yester-
day morning, and obtained from him the follow
ing particulars Of his collision with the Captain Of
Fl. B. NJ. steamer BnE.ard, Mt Sagua 10 Grande,
on Sunday morning, the second Of May.
The Clarendon was lying at anchor about o mile
from the shore, and about nine o'clock saw the
Buzzdrd making towards her, and at ten o'clock
she cast anchor OF half q cables length Of the
Clarendon, and hosting the English flag, immedi-
ately sent.a boat with an officer and four men
alongside, all of whom came aboard, and the officer
accosting Capt. Bartlett with rather a command
ing air, told him that he was sent by the command
er Of H. B.. NJ. ship Buzsard for the purpose of
inspecting the ships papers. Capt. Bartlett re-
piled that his was an American ship, lying in a
Spanish port, and that he did not recognize his
right to make any such demand.
. The officer "a Lieutenant or Midshipman) then
asked Capt. B. if no did not know that they had
o pass from the United States Government to ex-
anime American ships? Capt. B. replied that he
was not appraised of their having any such pass;
but if the officer would show the pass, he, Capt.
b., would exhibit his papers, but not until then.
The officer then said that he would be compelled
to show them, accompanying his renarks with ON
~insolent and overbearing manner, hoping thereby
to intimidate Capt. B. He was again asked to
show the ships papers, but he only replied by or
dering his mate to send the boats crew back to
their boat, as he would not allow them to remain
aboard of his vessel, which order was given and
reluctantly obeyed, and which seemed to offend
tile dignity of the Office. He then left and return
cd to his boat, and while rowing to the ;Buzzdrd,
the British flag was pulled down, and the Spanish
flag was hoisted.
Immediately after the officer and men reached
the steamer, they beat all hands to quarters, and
cleared the guns for action. Then there was anoth-
err boat manned and left the ship, with another
officer and four men, and as they rowed off o gun
was fired, the Spanish flag still flying. Capt.
Bartlett, who had in the interval of visits made a
show Of defence by p~arading six old muskets,
dilapidated and broken, some without locks,
which he displayed on deck as the second boat
was approaching, and stuck in his belt an unloaded
Colts revolver.
The boat came alongside the Clarendon, and the
officer was allowed to come abroad, when the side
ladder was Immediately taken up, to prevent the
men from following the officer, as they were oil
armed. The officer then, in a very pompous man
ner, announced that he was the oommanderiof H.
B., M. ship Buzzard, and demanded to see that
ships papers. Capt. Bartlett told him that it was
on American ship, and his right to make such q
demand was not recognized.
The Clarendon was named for Lord Clarendon,
and had the British coat Of arms on her stern,
which the officer observing, remarked that in this
particular she did not look much like an American
vessel, Capt. B. responded, no; and she never will.
He then asked Capt. B. why he did not set his
.Sl.. -La-~ Ia on- n -, nm a NAV onnrno Nh1nn y
Capt. B. replied that he did not know whether she
was q man-of-war or not, as che first hoisted the
British and then Spanish c%olors, which would in
dictate q piratieal craft sooner than o man. of-war.
The officer remarked that they had the right tc
hoist any aag they choose, be it English, Spanish
OF American and further said, don't you see the
officers ? don't you see the gold lace on the sleeves,
at the same time pointing very significantly at thu
trimmings on his own tawdry uniform. Capt. B
told him that such things were cheep and did mo-
signify much, and that he had plenty Of such stuff
in the cabin.
He then asked the Captain if he did not see hi
pendant hanging from his masthead? who replied
that he had one himself, and ordered the mate t.
hoist it, but he did not conceive that that mad
the Clarendon o man-of-Ear. He again demanded
to see the ships papers, saying that if he-Capt
Bartlett-refused to. show them, he would send
prize crew aboard, and take the Captain and crew
prisoners, and send them to New York. Capt.B
said he wished they would, as that was the port
for which he was bound, and that he had been lay
ing in Cuba for four months at great expense, ant
such q course would save money both to him ant
the owners of the ship.
Finding he could get NO satisfaction, he return
ed to his ship, in rather q crestfallen condition
When he reached the Buzzard, there was mucl
commotion on board, and the large paddle boat'
which were used for wheel houses, were launched
together with two smaller ones, which were eoor
filled with officers and marines, to the number Of
about one hundred, and armed with muskets, cut
lasses and q brace Of pistols. They came along
side the ship in battle array, loading their mus
kets on the way. Capt. Bartlett said to them
that they seemed to have men enough to take ev'
sry ship in the hsrbor, and proceeded to hoist the
stars and stripes, determined if they did tske the
ship. they should do it under the American flag.
The officers then came aboard, flour; one in
each boat Capt. B. preventing the crew from
following them by taking up the ladder. One
man, however, wishing to show his agility or
bravery, attempted to jump aboard, and succeed
ed in getting upon the rail, when Capt. 3. drew
his empty revolver and told him if he did not in
stantly retire to his boat he would blow his brains
out, which menace sent him back faster than he
came. When Capt. B. drew his pistol, the officer
put his hand against his breast in order to prevent
him from raising HE arm, when he was requested
to desist or he would DO thrown overheard.
The officer then, for the third time, demanded
the ships papers, when Capt. D. pointed, to the
American flag, and remarked that he did not re-
oognize their authority to make any such demand,
and reiterated his determination not to comply
The officer then said that he had hoisted his colors
too late, and that he had orders to take the ship,
which he should proceed forthwith to execute, but
the Captain cody replied that he could not do il
until he was q dead man, at which the officer sml'
led. The Captain Of the Buzznrd then came O.
board the second time and demanded to see the
ships papers, and reiterated the assertion that
the colors were hoisted too late to afford any pro.
lection, and asked Captain B. what objection he
had to showing his papers, who told him that the
authority for demanding them was not recognised
He then wanted to look down the matches to see
the cargo, but was cody informed that no such
liberties could be- allowed. One Of the officers
then remarked to the Captain Of the Buzzard that
things looked very suspicious, at which Gspt. B,
only smiled and remarked, Ego ahead gentlemen,
and do what you like"
The British Captain then had a short talk will
his officers, which was doubtless intended to have
the appearance of o council of war-after which,
he ordered one Of them to muster the guard, which
meant to bring the marines aboard: Capt. B. OBJ.
jected to this proceeding, and plainly told the Of.
fcer that if he allowed one Of his men to come on
the ships deck while he had command, he would
shoot him on the spot, OF the same time suiting the
action to the word, and placing his hand upon his
leadless revolver. The Captain Of the cruiser ther
countermanded the order, and remarked that he
would come alongside with the steamer, and make
fast to the ship and take her in tow. Capt. B.
told him as soon as he did that, he would give Ut
the ship, and leave him in command.
The Captain Of the Buzzard then appeared tc
hold another consultation with,his officers, to have