Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-02
ESCAPE OF AMERICAN VESSEL FROM
DETENTION AT MARSEILLES.

Letters from Marseilles state that an Ameri-
can ship, the Adriatic, had run down French
steamer, destroying life and property to a con.
siderable extent. The Adriatic was placed
unker embargo until the damages could be iu-
dicially settled, but she surprised the authori-
ties by stealing of. 1.-The French Government
will apply at Washington for redress A let
ter from Marseilles, dated January 10, gives
the following additional particulars: Since
yesterday the whole town has been talking of
strange affair, which it is thought may give
rise to serious diplomatic complications. You
remember the fearful collision between the
LyOnnais, French steamer belonging to the
Messrs. Gauthier Brothers, and the Adriatic.
an American ship, when the former vessel
fOundered. Upon that occasion the American
captain left the scene of the disaster without
troubling himself about the result, and on
reaching his destination omitted to make any
mention In his report Of the unfortunate occur
renee. Several months having elapsed. the
Messrs: Gauthier learned that the Adriatic
was lying at anchor in the harbor of Ciotat
An order was Immediately obtained to seaues-
trate her and bring her here, where a stricter
surveillance Is maintained in the port. Capt
Durham lost no time in protesting against this
measure, and appealed to our Tribunal of Com
merce, In which the pleading Of young arocat,
Nj. Aycard, himself an American by descent.
gained the day for his client. From this judg-
ment the French owners of the Lyonnais an
pealed to the Court of Appeal at AK, and the
cause was brought before that tribunal, when
the previous decision was quashed, and the
American ship declared a lawful prize
During the proceedings i'm this latter court
the AdrIatIc was unrigged. Captain Durham
was not the man to submit quietly to an ad-
verse sentence. and accordingly. in concert
with one of his fellow countrymen, be devised
the following scheme. The ship Meaher, COM
manded by Captain Smith, was also under se-
questratiOn Oh account of a heavy debt con-
tracted by her, and which had not been paid.
Captain Smith, daring aud resolute fellow,
contrived to bring her alongside Of the Adri
attic. This Inanguyre being effected, the
.Meshers cargo was shifted in very short
space OF time to the hold Of the Adratic, on
board of which at the same time the other S
rigging was transferred. The captain then
followed, and at three o'clock in the morning
OF Saturday last the Adriatic passed the Jo-
llette port. AT this point there is always on
duty boat of the Custom house, and the Of
ticsr who was in her, hailed the ship, when
| Captain Durham leaned over the side Are
| your papers all right asked the officer. ''0h,
yes. answered the captain. What's the
name of your ship - The Moonr REPLIES
| he and out to sea the Adriatic goes, though
| condemned to be sold for the benefit of MessTs
| Gawthier, with her double cargo. Her depar-
ture was not perceived till broad daylight. and
then complaint was lodged, but whole day
bad been lost. They say that the prefect or
| dered ont the Chacal, war paddle steamer
stationed in the old port. and away she has
gone to catch the Adriatic, if she can She
has not returned from her chase, and our sea
faring men think the American has run into
some creek along the Spanish coast Captain
Smith, just before his departure, bought three
guns other arms, and some powder, all of
| which we're conveyed from the Meaher to the
Adriatic This curious affair will, perhaps, not
50 easily be settled