Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-02
The British Outrages.

. boarding OF us SUPP al ChSua Id oToou, W
the officers of the British steamer Buzzard.
Here is Captain Bartett's account.
MY vessel was at anchor three miles from
the port of Sagua, 10 the outer harbor, re-
celyIng cargo for New York. AT about III
o'clock IN the morning OF the u ot May, the
steamer Buzzard hove in sight seward, and
rapidly approached the bsrbor and cast az
Choir half cables length from my ship
Very soon after, boat, ln charge OF mld'
shipman, came alongside. Mounting the
side aud approaching the captain on the
I quarter deck. the officer asked, Are you the
captain" Receiving 90 affirmative answer,
! he ssys-"I was sent on board by the COM
mander of her Britannia Majesty's steam
ship Buzz ard to examine the papers OF your
| ship" lie was answered, This ID an Amer
lean ship--I do not recognize your commau-
der's authority to make any such request"
/ Midshlpman.--DoHt y0w kno@ that re
/ haze u pass from your Government TO e1dn''"e
yO,u ceSsetI
Captain B.-I vas not aware Of any such
authority having been given your Govern
ncut; but show me the pass and L will show
my papers; not before.
/ INSTRUMENTATION will be made to show
them.
/ Captain B.-Not while have charge Of
the suIp.
The Midshipman now returned to the Boz
zard. Soon after the Spanish national Tag
was holsted on board the steamer. Fifteen
minutes elapsed when gun was fired and
another boat left her side and headed Tor the
ship. TIE officer in command jumped on
deck, mud approached Captain Bartlett, who
had in the Interval Of the visits got out bis
armament--.ix dllapldatei muskets and 40
unloaded Colts revoIyer-ln pompJus man
Der declared himself TO be the Commander
OF IL. B. NJ steamship Buzz.rd, and said
roughly Il want to see your papers"
Capt. B. replled-l do not recognize your
right to make any such demand. do not
know whether you are an Eog!ish or Span
ish man-ofwar. You show the colors Ut both
nations.
Commander can set any colOrs choose,
English, Spanish, or American. Why didn't
YOU set your colors when you saw q man-ot-
war approaching?
Capt. B.-I dad not know whether you was
a man-of-war or not. | should Judge you to
be pirate from your actions.
Commander pointing to the gold bands
on his sleeve. Don't you see the insignia OF
my Office?
Capt B i have plenty Of such stuff in
the cabu-that dOn't signify much
CJmmauder--in an ImperiOus, naughty
tone.-lf you do not show your papers, in-
-tauter, I'll put you in irons, take your
vessel as prize, and carry her to New York.
Capt. Bartlett.--That would suit me eI-
! actly | have been in Cuba four months
looking tor freight and have taken up" at
a low figure A voyage 20 New York, under
such circumstances, would put money toto
nv pocket and that Of my owners.
The Commander tAen left in high dud-
geon, and went back to the Buzzard. Great
confusion seemed to prevail on board; the
drums we're beat, callinl the men to quarters.
Bulwarks were removed-guDs brought to
bear upon the ship-the great launches car
ried upon the SheeIbousss lowered into the
water, and the cutters brought to the gaog-
ways.
Into them poured a stream of lieutensnts,
midshipmeu, marines aud sa lors--every man
armed with q musket, q cutlass, and brace
Of pistols. Tus formidable hotlla-four
| boats, rs many officers, and 100 men 10 battle
/ array-apprOached the Clarendon, and, as
/ they came up, the marines were ordered to
| load
Capt. Bartlett now concluded TO show bis
colors. His armament had been got IN read
! mess. and up went the stars aud stripes
| The flag had been lying upon the deck du-
ring the former visit An officer from each
boat then came on board The Captain was
asked if he was ready to show his pspers?-
There is my flg," says Capt. B. Il refuse
to show my papers, under any consideration
whatever" Your flag" they said, "has
been hoisted too late. We have orders from
our commander to take charge of this ship,
and we shall proceed to execute the order"
The commander himself now came of 10
another boat, the crew Of which were armed
Ike the rest. lie made the same demand,
and received thu same reply. Capt. Bartlett,
furthermore, said: Il AN IN Spanish port,
under Spanish protection, and have Span
lsh Custom House officer at this moment on
board my ship" This will avail you moth
Jog, says the British Captain, II shall DOW
take the ship" He then directed an officer
to order the guard on board. As their heads
appeared above the rail, Capt. Bartlett drew
his unlonded Colt, and declared he would
blow the brains out of the first man who
came on deck.
4b'bES hO" 4DOhtu tuC iIOb-
hearted commander cOuntermsnded his or
der, and said, Il will haul ;he steamer along
side" Capt. Bartlett said, IF you coGe
alongside shall give up my ship with the
greatest pleasure" The commander, now
At a loss what TO do, held a consultation with
his officers, one Of whom remarked, that he
thought there was force enough already to
take the ship without the steamers assis-
lance. The commander asked Capt. B. if
be had auy objections to giving bis name
Yes, ! have great objections" who are
your owners? That question shall not
answer" 'Who are your onslgneesH-
That IS none Of your business" Similar
questions were asked Capt Bartlett v BIO re-
fused to give any satIsfactiOu when thinking
that the farce vas about played out, he az
preached the cJmm4nder ard blontIy told
hlu that he did not knCw his duty. II don't,
ncy:' No you dout, or you would never
naSe come On board an American vessel at
anchor, receiving cargo 10 fog ign port,
and demand 20 see her papers"
lie taen remarked, is there an American
ConsuI ashOre? at the same time asking the
custom house officer the name Of the port -
Captain b answered, There is not" ID
there a Commercial Agen," There is Il
person who acts 10 that capacity, but have
never seen bis commission." Has hs Your
papers" That Is none of your business"