New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-22
MEXICO.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
PIRATICAL STEAMER FORWARD.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF THE
PIRATICAL STEAMER FORWARD.
WASHINGTON July 21.-N. w. Low, COM
handing the United States steamer Mohcan OF the South
Pacific Squadron reports to the Navy Department off
Mazatlan Mexico June 49, the details of the destruction
Of the steamer Forward stating that the 9Th of that
month information was received by the United States
Consul at Mazatlan from Consul at Guaymas that
vessel the night Of the 2tn OF May landed between
SION OF and robbing the Custom House. forcing foreign
merchants 10 contribute funds and goods to large
amount and compelling the United States Consul under
protest TO supply coal for the steamer and taking on
board as hostages civil officers of the Mexican Govern
and San salvador committing acts OF war The conri-
buttons extorted from Spanish German. English,
and American merchants. The Consul was informed
that the vessel claimed TO be acting in the interest
Of Plaoido Vega, but Vega has not declared him
Everything in the civil condition Of the country about
Mazatan and at san Bias where Vega was suprose1 70
and the existence of civil war on this coast NOT having
been recognized by the President OF the United states
and feeling satisfied this vessel was acting as vesse OF
war without proper commission that she was htSu Out
the pretense OF being engaged III acts OF evll Nr,
Lew deemed it his imperative duty to regard her as
equally his duty TO pursue and II possible capture OF
destroy her. He consequently made immediate prepare
Forward was stl in the Gulf Of California, where he
anchored with the Mohcan at Altaa on the morning OF
June g. He got information there, and LETT fOr La
Paz. At the latter place he was equally unlor-
t,Gnate in obtaining information, and lett there,
he heard the Forward had gone to BOca.Jeacapan,
place about half way San Bias and MaZatan for
the purpose Of going up the river and landing her pun
der The Mohican arrived there at daylight on the morn
ing of the nth armed and manned six boats under inc
command of Lieut.. Bronson, the executive oHcef WIN
instructions to find the piratcal steamer ana Dng er
ont The boats passed through the surf OF the outer par
at o'clock and shortly afterward Lieut. Bronson sig
nailed to the ship that the Forward was III the fN ana
flat he was going in search of her The party returned
The next day in the afternoon and reported Inc
and destruction by burning Of the Forward, under
scattering fire Of four fpOunder field pieces ana the
rifles of the 40 who had removed from her the
same Afternoon To position on the snOfe' the
better TO defend her. The boats brought 70 the
shin the remains OF James DOnnel, cOAsWaln Killed,
and reported two officers ana SIX men W0uuSu' mo
boats had pulled nearly 20 miles since le1Yg the SNIP
and had been under fire hour. The men conducted
themselves admirably, and accomplished the ouJeet Gi
the eXped On with the Calnne55 or ola veterans, th
called forth the unqualified admiration OF COMMANDER
Low Though the instruction to L0ut Bronson ulu NOT
expressly contemplate the destruction OF the fOrNaru'
still I'm view Of the circumstances of the case the depe-
rate resistance and heavy fire in her defense me loss
sustained aud the utter mpractcanihty OF moving el
the Forward being hard on the reel his acuon recel
fuu approyal. Douncl buried at sea ON inc
afternt0n OF the 18th with appropriate cele'
oDies Iient Quits, passenger ON board the
! Molican, under orders to join the hagsmp q, lhc
fleet volunteered accompany the EXPEDITION ana was
Given charge of a boat. On board of the Forward WeI
fDund george W. Holden, presumed 10 De tIe ihle +
W Johnson presumed To DO the engineer, ana IouI ie'
whom LOW proposed turning over to the Mexican auo
ires at NIazatlan. No papers iound ON DoaIu
saws ain this affair have endeavoIed To act %lh uuS
deberafou and have satisfied myself that the foINiu
according to Navy Regulations No lOI3 VIZ Ne9sei
acting as vessel OF war, privatecr without having
propeg commission to act the onceIs ana ere" 3l
which shall be considered as pirates ana Lea'eu "coo4u
iugy."