The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-06-19
The Way TO Treat British Cruiser.

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the boarding Of his ship at Sagua La Crane
, by the officers of the British steamer Buz
Zard. Here is Captain Bartlett's account
My vessel was at anchor three miles iron
the port Of Sagua, in the outer harbor, re
: ceiying cargo for New York At about Il
O'Clock in the morning of the I'd of Nav, tn
steamer Buzzard hove in sight seaward an,
rapidly approached the harbor and cast an
chor half a cables length from my ship
Very soon after, boat, in charge of mid
= shipman, came alongside. Mounti-g th,
side. and approaching the captain on th.
quarter deck, the officer asked, Are yOt
the captain:" Receiving an affirmative,
answer, he says: " was sent on board by
the commander of Her Brtanic Majesty:
steamship Buzzard, to examine the paper:
OF your ship" He was answered, This i!
an American ship-I do not recognize you,
commanders authority to make any suct
request"
Midshipman-Don't goa kno,o aiat az.
hare pass from your GoUernment to cram
inc your uessel:"
Captain B.-I was not aware Of any such
authority having been given your Govern
, menti but show me the pass, and vii
show my papers-not before.
Mdshipman-You Will be made to show
them.
| Captain B,-No. while I hare charge Of
the ship.
The midshipman now returned to the
/ Buzzard. Soon after the Spanish national
flag was hoiSted on board the steiner
Fifteen minutes elapsed, when gun was
I fired, and another boat left her side and
! headed for the ship. The officer in com
mand jumped on deck and approached Capt.
4 .br had la 10. al Of TrJ.a
its got out his armament-six Giiap:dated
musEets and an un!oaded Colts revo.ver-
/ in pcmpous manner declared himself to be
the commander Of II. T. Ms steamship
+ Buzzard, and said roughly, IL want to see
your papers"
Captain 3. rep',c.l-I DO no: recognize
your right to make any such denaad. co
not know whether you are an English or a
Spanish man oGwar. You show the co.ors
Of both nations.
Commander-I can set any co'ors choose
--EHg'ish, Spanish, or American. Why
didn't you set your colors when YOU saw q
man-of war approaching?
Capt B.-I dil not know whether you
were maH-ofw war or not. | should Judge
von TO be pirate from your actions
Conmander-poin:ing to tie gold bands
Oh his sleeve-Don't you see the insignia Of
my Office:
Capt b i hare plenty Of such stuff in
the cabjn-thst don't signify much.
Commander. in an lmPcriOuS, naughty
tone--lf you do not show your papers In
stanter, I'll put you in irons, take your ves-
Sci as prize, and carry her 90 New York.
Capt. Bartlet,-That would suit me ex-
sc;ly. ! have been in Cuba fur months
looking tor freight, and have taken up at
10 \arr Ar. Icr
such circumstances would put money into
rny pocket and those Of my owners.
The Commander then left in high dud-
geon, and went back to the Buzzlrd. Great
confusion seemed to prevail on board the
drums were beat calling the men to quarters.
Bulwarks wee removed--yuns brought to
bear on the ship-tLc great launches carried
upon the wheel houses, lowered into the
water, and the cutters brought 70 the gang
ways.
Into them pou.ed.a stream OF lieu,ensn.s,
mldsiipmeD, marines, and saiors-every
man armed with q nuSllet, cut'aSs. and
brace Of pistols. This formidable lotill-
four boats, as many officers, and 100 inca in
battle array-lpproached the Clarendon,
and as they came up the marines were
ordered 10 load
Capt Bartlett now concluded 10 show his
colors. His armament had been got in
readiness, and up went the stars and stripes
Che flag had been laying on deck during
the former visit.l An officer from each
boat then came on board. The captain was
asked if he was ready to show his papcrsg
There is my flag" said Captain b, -" | re-
fuse TO show my papers under any consider
alton whatever" !" "iour 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
off in another boat, armed like the rest. He
made the same demand and received the
same reply. Capt. Bartlett Furthermore
said: " am in Spanish port, under Span
iSh protection, have Spanish Custom
House officer at this moment on board my
ship" " This will avail Won nothing" said
the British Captain, Il Shall now take the
ship" lie then directed an otiic.r to order
the guard on board. As their heads appeared
above the rail, Capt. Bartlett drew his un-
loaded Colt, and declared he would blow
the brains out OF the first man who came on
deck
Things now looked belligerent; the lion
hearted commander countcrmanded his /
order and said, II viii haul the steamer
Capt. Bartlett said, "lf you
come alongside, shall give up my ship
with the greatest pleasure" The comman-
der, now at a loss what to DO, held a consul
ta,ion with his officers, ene of whom re-
marked that he thought there was force
enough already 70 take the ship without the
steamers assistance. The commander asked
Capt & if he had any objections 10 giving
his name. "Yes, have great objections"
"Who arc your owners?" THAT question
shall not answer" who are your con-
That is none of your buSines."
Similar questions were asked Capt. Bartlett,
who refused to give any satisfaction; when,
thinking that the farce was about played
out, he approached the commander and
blunt'y told him that he did not know his
duty. Il don't, hey - mo you don't, or
you would never have come on board an
American vessel at anchor, receiving cargo
in a foreign port, and demand to see her
papers"
He then remarked, "rs there an Amcri-
can Consul ashore 2" at the same time ask
ing the custom house officer the name of the
port. Capt. b. answered, "There is not"
as there Commercial Agent?" There
is a person who acts in that capacity, but
have rever seen his commission Has
he your papers," THAT is none Of your
business" Well" says one Of the officers,
"this IS the rummiest customer ace hare euer
fallen in acith." The commander Of the
Buzzard says to the first mate Of the ship,
Lower down your steps so that the officers
can get into the boats" Capt. b. reminded
him that he. was master of the ship, and
says, " Do you order me to lower the boat,
or do you ask mes" He replied, in a hu
initiating tone, WiU you loner IL, II you
please, sir ?" "Yes, with the greatest pleas.
ure. Then the commander of the Bnzzard
and his officers went down the ladder and
into their boats, and returned somewhat
crestfallen to their ship.
ORIGINAL CoSuSpRuMs.-Why is starch