The Van Buren press., 1871-10-31
A Speck of War-The Gloucester Affair
The following special to the Herald,
gives the particulars OF what may posi-
by Involve US in war with England:
GLorCfarIn MaSl Oct. l6.

by !nrulye US Ill q war win England.
GLoUoasrEs, Mass, Oct. 16.
There is big row in thi. quist litrle
town, which, though small in itself, may
lead to big international dispute,
The facts in the case are these The
schooner Edward A. Horton, Tory,
master, OF this port, was seized Septem
Der l.t, near St. George, N. S, by the
cutter Sweepstakes, tor alleged violation
Of the fishing treaty, and taken into
Guy.boro, while tho master and crew
were turned ashore to get home the best
way they could. She had a full cargo OF
mackersl and was nearly ready to come.
The case was OF a peculiarly aggravating
nature, as she belonged to Messr.. Nc
Kinzic, kno~lton b Co., a comparatively
new firm, who had one OF their vessels
seized last year, and were put to much
expense and Inconvenience in getting the
vessel bonded. There has been deep.
seated feeling Of Indignation prevalent
among the fishermen and fishing owners
at these aulaciou. seizures, and the at
tempt on the part Of the owner OF tAe
schooner Cara r. Friend 20 obtain his
vessel, which ended in her rscapture by
the Dominican stsamcr, has added fuel
to the nanes Ihe plan or ths rcrapsuro
Of the Horton 30 FAR =. your correspond
ent can learn, wns coneocted here in town
and one Of her owners, it Is said, was
ons Of the prime movers. These plans
we're kept 50 secret that none but .
chosen few outside OF those who were to
,akc an active part therein knew anything
OF the affair Suffice it to say that the
plan was well matured, and the men who
accompanied her owner TO Guysboro
we're determined either to return the
schooner to this port or destroy her.
There were 10 be no hslf way measures
one way or the other, and with this res
olive they left Gloucester.
Wenext hear from them by way OF a
dispatch received from Halifax, n 5, on
the 18Th, which states that the schooner
+. \, Horton, captured by the British
cutter Sweepstakes, and taken into Guys
boro to await the decision or the Admir-
atty Court, was taken away on Sunday
night by unknown parties, who broke
open store, obtained her materials,
then cut her cable and put to sea, No
trace of the vessel has been seen
A vessel was seen hovering outside,
which, no doubt, aided in the affair.
The cutter Sweepstakes and an English
gunbost were in close pursuit
As soon as the news was disseminated, :,
the people Of Gloucester we've aroused
to fever heat and various were the con-
lectures whether or not the daring owner
and crew would succeed in eluding pur
suit, and bring the craft safe around
Eastern Pong lighthouse in Gloucester
harbor. Every vessel approaching the
harbor has been closely scanned by ca
ger eyes on shore, sud the fishermen
were all prepared to give the Horton aud
her crew a cordial welcome.
In the absence of Collector Robson,
who is in Boston to get the officials there
interested in the matter, b. II Smith,
Surveyor OF this port, sent dispatch to
the Commandaut Of the Charleston navy
yard, asking him to send gunboat to
the protection of the f. A. Horton in
American waters. The following answer
was received at Up IN,
CHARIRsrowN, Oct 16, 1871.
To Mr. B II Smith, Surveyor Of Gus
toms, Gloucester, Mass:
Gun boat will be sent to your assi.-