Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-05-22
Outrage on the american Flag.

outrage i2erpotrated BY the commanding Of
hcer OF the British STEAMER ':Sty4." We
you'd suggest that the repetition Of such
occurrences is partly DUE 70 negligence of
their own interests On the part of oar own
shipowncrs and masters. We have known
instances Of this sort, less fragrant indeed,
which haye occasioned no regular COM laint
at head quarters. The Executive cannot
be expected to take efficient steps, upon the
faith Of mere newspaper publications. The
parties Interested should at once present a
formal complaint, accompanied With certi-
fed dispositions setting forth all the details
of the occurrence.
Capt. Howe, of the schooner Mobile,
which arrived on Tuesday, complains that
his vessel and himself were made the sub
.jeet of a serious outrage on the part of a
British war vessel, while on his voyage
hitber from Mobile, and while passing Key
West. Captain Howe has furnished our
reporter with the following statement of the
circumstances
"On the 18th ult. was about Is or 80
miles south Of Sand Key Light; there was
q good strong breeze from +. N. E., and
chopping sea; my schooner was under
double reefed nalnsal, whole foresail, and
three jibs; it was perfectly clear /; [ judged
OF my situation troln the fact that | sighted
Sand Key Light aboat three hours after
falling IN with the steamer the vessel was
on the starboard tack, and heading to the
northward; first saw the steamer about
noon, long way to Sindward, could not
make out what she was /; at ! O'clock, p.
~, ! took my glass and discovered she
was a steamer. and was apparently run
ming across my bows; told the mate it
might be ap American naval steamer from
some port in Cuba bound to Key West.
Having taken my observation and got din
her, | went below and turned in, think
lag no more about it,
Between 3 aud o'clock P. M., my Oldest
daughter came aud walked me, Captain
HOVE had bis wife and two children with
him. she asking what is that vessel doing :?
| got up and looked out Of my cabin win
dow, (the cabin is on deck, and saw the
vessel was running doWn to me, as if to
cross my stern. My impression was that
she intended to speak me, and / went cut
on deck to answer the hail in case she did
50. | ordered the mate at the same time to
set the ensign. The mate said, II believe
she is an English steamer" lie had been
looking at her with his glass The steamer
which was rugged as !. bark, rounded to
within musket shot Of ny weather quarter,
when | saw he had the British ensign Nv
ing. He was then within mailing distance.
ba =
that monlent heard vts reports, a. of IA
musket, III qrlek succ sion, and insrantly
a ball came Hhizzing b i9eeu iwo ne.l who
were at work on the Rigging | then or
dered the mate to haul tie forestaysail
sheets to Nadward the wheel was put
down. and the schooner was hove to. Atter
Usa hud beer ao5te feco mare shots Weye fred.
enc ball struck the vessel shaft the fore
Chains, and the other passed over the main
deck amid-ships. IT, second mate and
two men were at work On the jumper stay
sitting Oh bales Of cotton amid-skips they
said they felt the wil,l ii tic ball as it pass
cd ever their heads. | also beard the whiz-
zing Of tie ball as it passed [ stood with
my glass i'll hand, deserving the move
lleEls en- boarl! the steamer all the time,
and saw them clearing away the boat as if
10 board iae. 1t j. th9 universal custom al
sea, il al arnied vessel wishes to board
another, to fire Ole gi.n, and if it is not
heeded, 10 lire a sAcoli and as a last resort
to in shot across the vessels fore foot |
Vas at loss to comec,.are .llat the steanl-
es S treatment Of me could mean. The pEo-
eeelings sugg, sted t. ID: mind that she
might bs a pirate ssg taAsily heard the
firing, aid saw shat IS passing, End were
very mach alarmed. " little Girl, who i
only I've years cid. wane to come on deck
LIT her mother you'd hot let her. She said
Mother, If was father, Id get one of
Mr. HopFins, awful guns aud ksli'em.' NJ
Hopkins MY Mate, kept two loaded guns
on boarl I confess f.,t mad at the steam
e.. Che boat with SIX men and a lieuten-
ant came a2essssidc, ard without saying
word, the officer CAME oA deck, and address
ing no one in particular; asked:
Q.-Where Is this vessel frome
! answered fsem Mobile.
a.-W here is she bonnd9
Anew York
Q.-M here il she owned
A.-Ske is Owned ia New York. I then
thought It was my turn. and said:
Q.-Why dad you fire into us ? DID yo,,
take US for SLAYER?
D-No; didn't you see man o var
to windward?
A.-lIow should ] kncW you was man
o'war.
0i}ieor. Didn't you see ostr pennants
tastain. ,lida7t see it, and, besides,
we very often see American and Spanish
men o war with tkeir colors flying, but they
never interfere With ME. | have been going
up and do@n the gulf for twenty years, and
this is tie first tine was ever intesfered
With. The officer, with head erect, and
with haus hty narlnot, deigned no reply,
but asked SHAT is the Gulnbesof your crew?
ansesercd, ten meg and l also have one
passenger, my wFifo and two children.
Officer. II wait to see yoar papers
went into the cabin, followed by the
Lieutenant, and taking out my enrolment
and license, handed them to him, keeping
my manifest in my hand
Officer--Where is your register? You
ought to have Register
| answered, our coasting vessels do not
have Registers, they sail under coas ting
license. then handed him my manifest,
saying, here is my clearance from Mobile
in regular form. lie examined it, and laid
it on the table. asked .'.Have you cot
through If you have. 7 wish to proceed.
. r Sh