Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-05
ESCAPE OF AN AMERICAN VESSEL FROM
DETENTION AT MARSEILLES.

Escape OF AN AMERICAN VESSEL FROM
DETENTION AT MARSEILLES.
Letters from Marseiles state that an American ship
the Adristic had run down French steamer, oes
,rnying life and property to considerable extent. The
adriatie was placed under embargo until the damages
could be udiciaily settled but che surprised the au
thor,ties by stealing of. "The French Government
will apply at Washington for redress" letter from
Msrselss dated January 10, gives the following I'D
ditional particulars: Snce yesterday the whole town
tas been talking of q strange affair, which 1t 10
thought may give rise to serious diplomatic comp''
cations 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 LETT
the scene of the disaster without troubling him
self shout the result, and on reaching his desti
nation omitted to make any mention in his report OF
the unfortunate occurrence. Several months having
elapsed. the Meosrs Gaathier learned that the Adria
tic lying at anchor In the harbor of Ciotat. An
order was Immediately obtained TO sequestrate her and
bring her here where strcter maintain
ed inthe port. Capt. Durham lost no timen protesting
against measure, and appealed to our Tribunal OF
Commerce, in which the pleading Of young auocot,
NJ Ayesrd, himself an American by descent, gained
the day for bis CLIENT From this judgment the French
owners of the Lyounas appealed to the Court OF Ap
peal at AK, and the cause was brought before that
tribunal, when the previous decision was qua'hed'
During the proceedings in this latter court the
Adriatio was unrigged. Captain Durham was not
the man to submit quietly to an adverse sentence.
and accordingly, in concert with one Of his fellow
.coun,rymen, ne devised the following scheme. The
shp Meaher. commanded by Captain Smith, was also
under seauestration account of heavy debt con-
tracted oy her. and which had not been paid. Capt.
Smith, q daring aud resolute fellow. contrived to
bring her sloagside OF the Adriatc. This manouvre
being Effected, tie Meahers cargo was shifted in
very short space Of time to the hold OF the Adrisc,
on board Of which At the came time the others rig
cling was transferred. The Captain then followed,
and at clock in the morning Of Saturday last the
Adriatio passed the toilette port At this point there
is always on duty boat Of the Custom.house, and
the officer who vas in her, hailed the ship, when
Captain Durham leaned over the side. HAre your
papers all right 7" asked the officer. "Oh, yss, an
swered the captain. Whats the name Of your ship
AThe Moon" replies he and out to sea the AGriatic
goes though condemned to be sold for the benefit Of
Messrs. Gauthier, with her double cargo. Her de-.
parture was not perceived till broad daylight, and
then a complaint was lodged, but whole day had
been lost. They say that the project ordered out the
Chacsl, war paddle steamer stationed in the old
port, and away che has gone to catch the Adriac,
she can. She has not returned from her chase, and
our eeafarng men think the American ha, run into
some creek along the Spanish coast. Capt Smith,
just before his departure bought three guns other
arms, and some powder, all of which were convened
from the Meaher to the Adriatic. This curious AFFAIR
will, perhaps, not be easily settled"