Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-06-02
THE SEARCH DIFFICULTIES.

As our readers are aware, certain British
war vessels have recently been firing into,
boarding and searching number of American
vessels on the open seas, under pretence of
searching for slaves. These outrages are be-
ing met by prompt action on the part of our
government. We append the following account
of the boarding of couple of vessels
The barque John Howe, Captain Nichols,
arrived at New York, on Saturday a-week from
Sagua la Grande. Captain Nichols states that
about the 18th of April, on his passage from
Havre to Sagua la Grande, and when off Au-
guilla, he was boarded by boat from the Brit
ish war steamer BuzZard ,and the officer in CON-
mand without any ceremony ,sprang upon deck
and Immediately asked the name OF the vessel,
who commanded her, where she hailed from,
where last from where she was bound, her own
er's name, and so forth and being invited to
the cabin he demanded to see her papers, which
were shown to him. He then departed. Cap
tain Nichols states that his ensign then
flying, and that it had been hoisted on the first
approach of the steamer. After arriving at
Sagua la Grande, and while lying in that port,
he was again boarded by boat from the same
vessel and his papers demanded, although his
ensign was flying. His reply was, they were
at the Consul's Office. The officer examined
The vessel and scrutinized the hold. Captain
Nichols thought, from the appearance of the
officer and the bold manner in which he acted,
that he somewhat intoxicated. Captain
quor on board, } which he refused, but reques-
ted glass of water which was given him, and
he departed.
Captain Nichols states further that the ship
Clarendon, Capt. Bartlett having on board a
cargo of sugar. bound for New York, while
lying in the port at Sagua la Grande, was also
boarded by boat from the same steamer
The officer in command of the boat immedi-
ately jumped on board, and proceeded to the
cabin, commanded Capt Bartlett to hoist his
ensign, which the captain refused to do, deem
ing the whole proceeding insult. The Of
fcer then demanded his papers, when he was
told they were at the consuls, and that If he
knew his business. he ought to be aware of
the fact. The officer then departed saying he
would report TO the commanding officer of the
steamer. Capt. Bartlett refused to hoist his
ensign. Six shots (blank catridges) were
soon after fired by the steamer, in order to
intimidate Captain Bartlett and compel him to
hoist his ensign, but without effect. Capt.
Bartlett then noticed that they had lowered
away two of their large boats, each contain
ing about fifty men, with any quantity of
small arms, when he took his ensign and laid
1t on the cabin table. Soon after the boats
arrived alongside, and the commander of the
steamer in person came on board, when Capt.
Bartlett received him politely, but protested
against the whole of the proceedings, and
would not allow any of the men from the
steamer to come on board, threatening to shoot
the first that attempted to do SO. Capt. Bart
lett and the British commander then went
into the cabin, when the commander of the
steamer ordered him to hoist his ensign. He
replied, ssThere it lies upon the table, and if
your commission is worth enough, hoist it
yourself" The British officer, pistol in hand,
commenced pacing the cabin saying that he
sswonld sicze the vessel and take her to the
port of New York; to which Capt. Bartlett
replied, 'sthat was exactly what he wanted
him to do,'' when, whether Intentionally or
by accident, he could not say, Capt. Bartlett
was struck on the breast by the hand which
held the pistol. Captain Bartlett then pre-
sented his pistol and said, ssSir. keep your
hands off of me or Eli shoot you.'' The Of
ficer replied, 81 did not lay my hands upon
you." When Capt. B. rejoined, ssYou did
Sir" The officer inquired if the sugar on
board belonged to Capt. B. when he replied,
81 never owned bogshead of sugar in my
life." The same question was asked in re-
gard to the launches (boats for conveying the |
sugar from the shore on board.) And the |
same reply given. The officer completely |
cowed, then went on deck, and, in perfect !
rage, beloved forth, slower away the gang |
way ladder" When Capt. b. quietly said,
ssSir, did you order that ladder to be lowered, |
or did you request it to be lowered 2" The |
officer replied, ssWill you please have it low
cred ?'' Capt. B. then gave orders for it to
be let down, and the BrItisher departed with
out accomplishing his purpose.