The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-07-22
AngIo-Mexfcan Imbroglio nj
MazafIan.

A correspondent of the Alta gives the fol-
lowing version of the difficulties between
the English war steamer ChantieIesr and the
Mexican authorities at Sinaloa:
On her way to this port, the Chanticsesr
got into dangerous position near Altata, and
fired signal gun for assistance. A pilot was
sent to her, and on her entering the port in
safety, the pilots fee was demanded. This,
Captain Bridges of the ChantieleeT, positive
ly refused to allow, and the Mexican Revenue
officer reported the case to Governor Rubi
and the Customs authorities at Mazatlan, ask
ing what course he should pursue on the
same flag (the English) being shown again
under similar circumstances. This occurred
on the 18th of June.
This difficulty had not been settled before
another and more serious one occurred at
Mazatlan, whittier the Chandelier had pro-
ceeded. The Paymaster of the Chdnficieer
being on shore, a sub-officer of the Mexican
Customs was informed that he was engaged
in smuggling Mexican gold coin on board of
his vessel, as Is quite the custom, Ii is alleged,
with English naval officers, and had guam
tity then on his person, concealed in money
bag for that purpose. The Purser was ac-
eordingly detained and searched at the Gus
tom House, and the coin found on his per-
son. He was then allowed to go on board.
On his statement of the case, Capt. Bridges
uccutlCQ lHdi al OuAIdEC ltdQ UGH DcTlClIb-
ted on officer of his vessel aud his flag, and
proceeded to go on shore to demand instant
satisfaction, whereupOn he was conducted
by a guard of three men TO the Custom
House, and his person was also searched, the
officer who made the search laboring under
the impression that he was also engaged in
the smuggling business. This exasperated
him beyond all measure, and he at once wrote
to General Corona, demanding that the Of
ficers engaged in searching the persons of
her Majestys officers be sent on board the
Chdnticleer, to be chastised at his Captain
Bridges') will and discretion; that the money
taken from the Purser be returned, and a
further pecuniary satisfaction be made within
twenty-four hours, in default of which be
threatened to take summary measures in re-
taliation. To this, and several subsequent
communications of similar character, Gen.
Corona replied that he was not the proper
party to be addressed; that he was Command
er of the Fourth Army Corns, got civil Of
ticer, and only lie SSiinaioa on special business
not as the Civil or Military Governor. If
reclamations were to be made, they should
be made on the proper civil authorities, and
if satisfaction was not granted, the Courts
were open, and If necessary, the matter could
be referred directly to the Federal Govern
ment. Capt. Bridges refused to recognize
any legal forms in the matter, but demand
ed instant satisfaction, and threatened to
lombard the place unless his demands were
complied with. Ultimately, the u. S. Con-
sui, Isaac Sissons, interviewed as a mediator,
and the correspondence was thenceforth car
ried on through him on both sides. The
threat to lombard MaZatlan was subsequent
ly modified to a blockade of the port against
Mexican vessels only, with an intimation of
a possibility of resort to harsher measures,
put forth in the form of proclamation by
Capt. Bridges, of which the following is
translation:
JUNE goth, 1868
To the Inhabitants of Mazatldn:
Whereas, gross insults have been offered
to the Commander and other officers of H.
B. NJ. S ship Chaaticieer by the authorities of
Mazatlan; and, whereas, satisfaction for such
insults have been denied,
Therefore, be il known that from and after
noon of this Goth day Of June, 1868, the port
of Mazatlan shall be blockaded, and any
Mexican vessel that may attempt to leave the
harbor shall be Immediately seized.
The British flag displayed from the miz-
zenmast of Fl. B. NJ. s ship Chdnticleer and
an alarm shot from her guns, shall warn the
inhabitants to remove to a place out of dan
ger. WIN. H. BRIDGES,
Commander of Fl. b. NJ. 8 ship Chdntieleer,
Commanding II. B. Ms marine forces on
the Western Mexican coast
The latest phase of this affair is stated BY
the Regeneration de Sindlod, (the official pa
per of the State,) in supplement dated
June 21st:
"Thus stood the matter when, yesterday,
June Goth, at 81 P. NJ. four boats left the
side of the Chandelier and made for the
shore, reaching point near and opposite
the Custom House.
"The Commander of the Fourth Division,
General Corona-at the instance of the naval
officers of the Department, had mounted
three pieces of artillery on the Custom
House-commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Adolfo Riestrs, and supported by a colum Of
infantry 200 strong. This force held itself
in readiness for action upon seeing the hos
tile demonstrations Of the English boats,
and was resolved upon fulfilling the duties
of the emergency. The rousing speech of
the commander had also brought about |
crowd, who asked for arms, shouting for the |
Republic. The excitement was intense
when the boats returned to their ship
We may yet have to record some grave |
extreme forced upon US as a sequence Of an
affalr in which no outrage was committed |
nor insult offered by us, other than to exact |
the observance Of our Revenue Laws
Ii is stated that the U. s. war steamer
Sulcd'see left Acapulco, June I'D, for Mazat-
Ian, to protect American interests there in /
case of matters reaching crisis and actual |
hostilities occurring.