Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-08-22
Prom the Chn r,as,on nnnrisr


The brig Sarah Stofr, from Wilmington for Liver
pool has lately been captured-that u.s. stolen--by the
y; . steam trigate Wabash, Capt Samuel Mercer
ne l1ncoln organs and Tools and reporters as usual
give The tale vita variations, asserting that the
odTdh SE% carried privateerng papers: Others that
she was attempting to run the blockade and others
again that she had irregular or defective papers These
stories are all alse-uttery and entirely; and as the
affair is characteristic illustration of Linconism and
OF tne means oy which the hreling tools of contemp-
uoe ou1oon 10 Washington pretending to uphold
the honor OF the United States flag we give summa
Try OF the facts-a summary containing nothing but
facts that can and will be proven on abundant evidence
and Tor which, tor the present, need only give our
most positive assurance.
The brig Sarah Starr was and is the property of a
British subject by fair purchase for good consideration
and with sale concluded atesed and executed hronoh
out with strict and scrupuous compliance with all the
laws OF the case She is anG was, by all possible con-
structions of law American &nd British British YES
SELL and without title Of interest or claim on her in
any other owner than British subject
She was sailing under provisional register granted &C
cordlng to law, and by law British vessel the prop
erty OF British subject, and had all papers on board
the Time OF ner capture required by the Merchants
Shipping Act of 1854.
The papers relating to The transfer have been exam
ned since her capture by attorney n this city, and
have been found legal and correct in every particular
The owner has received the following report of the
capture of the vessel
We were towed over the Bar at Smbve, by the steam
tug Equator, at A NJ Saturday the Sd of August and
with brought to by gun from the u s. steam frigate
Wabash, at P M and boarded by officer and papers
partially examined The Captain and papers were then
taken on board the fgae. After delay of three hours
and halt the Captain was Informed that Ills vessel was
the cook and boy After persuasion the Captain
was allowed to remain on board his vessel.
and in response hosed ensign. the British colors
when shortly after the fgate pulled down the British
of the fripate WHY he hosted He
was to decoy us off shore fearing might go back re-
Squadron in the immediate vicinity Of the Bar should
had no hesitation in going cut did know for
moment think tn at British vessel was liable to seizure bv
trade" war VINE" engaged III les'''mA's
The captain of the rgae ordered the prize crew to take
the vessel to New York. with discretionary power to stop
at Hampton Roads.
rgate night at ~ O'clock ran square on to
Frying Pan Shoals hours to get off and
clear if there had been much she would have been
a total wreck in very short time wish if possible to
prevent part of the cargo being dispose of in
ted States and would sooner sell at oneha the price in
judge she too far off shore under the LA
blity of seizure in quence blockade, eld
captain that he ought not to have oqqed her as he did
such and such latitude and longitude the high
We beg the reader to review carefully what has been
stated above He will scarcely believe on one or on
hasty reading, that captain OF the U. S. n, claiming
allegiance and devotion to the flag once honored by
Perry and Lawrence and Decatur and since their day
by TatnaIl and lDgraham ard Hartsene-a captain 0
senior rank, near the head OF the active list OF the
s. N, and commanding one of the largest and mos
powerful steamers in that servceit will scarcely b.
believed, say, second and careful perusa
that such commander has done what is here reported
To meet this surprise and scepticsm, reterate GU
assurance and assertion.
The Sarah Starr although delayed some days b,
sickness Of officer, sailed from and out of the port
: Wilmington, n. c., duly and lawfully cleared and re
ported, above stated the thirteenth day of the fiji
teen days of grace allowed from the notice OF blockade
r which notice was given on the Goth Jul y.
The evidence is painfully erwhelming that Samue
Mercer, u S. ~ has done what considered mpos
: sible-he has added new stigma to flag which Liz
J., cOlnsm had nearly made an abOminatCn and Ofenc
to all ChristendOm.
l. While pretending exclusive and exalted allegiance I
. the United States flag and while in command OF arg
steamer avowedy for asserting and projecting that flag
be- Samuel Mercer cowardly and fraudulently and
venly usurped and abused the British flag to decoy
% merchant brig of some 20 tons!
j After valianty capturing this merchant brig, whic
e ard will be proved to have been genuine BIRTHS
brig, in all Incidents conditions and privileges, and Ell
e titled to passage according to Lincoln laws
IL blockade-aer achieving this valiant feat Samuel Me-
cer either directly indirectly, by his own hand
g dicaon to subordinate raudenty altered the
cord so as to endeavor TO fasv the position OF tt
s. brig at the time of capture.
For what purpose the double outrage was committe
we need not inquire at present That the facts
we have stated them, neither more nor less is just
true as it is that Linconism is incompatible with d
4 cency and gentiy as with American Repubicanism-
4, that Samuel Mercer orphan boy, ostere
and nourished and educated in this good city Of Charlie
er ton, and that Samuel Mercer is the synonym
intamy.