The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-08-17
EXPLOITS OF OUR NAVY.
How OFFICES HAVE NET EAER6EN'
CIES.

A great deal has been said in re-
card 10 the action taken by Admiral
NiohoIson during the recent bonn
bardment of Alexandria By the
British squadron under Admiral
sevmour. The opinion seems to pre-.
vail that in landing his sailors ana
marines TO assist in preserving order
and protect life and property IN the
doomed city, Admiral Nicholson was
guilty of an assumption OF authority
which circumstances neither author
izsd nor warranted, and that his acts
in the premises were in direct Vloia'
ton OF our time-honored custom oil
non.ntervention in foreign political
complications. The arguments ad-
yanced by those unfamiliar with the
history of our navy and naval affairs
are net only mischieV0us in their Con-
ception and inference. but their
hasty condemnation of a gallant
officers conduct is direCtlw Contro-
verted by the facts. while the action
of Admiral Nicholson is well sus-
tanned by sufficient historical preoed'
ent.
Without mentioning those instances
where our navy gained great distlnc-
ton and renoWn in foreign waters,
while acting under direct authority OF
Congress in the commandment OF
Algiers and Tripoli. during the con-
quest OF California, the war With
Mexico and the two wars with Eng
land, our small but ever gallant and
alert naval forces have earned and
sustained reputation for prompt and
efficient action In the protection OF
American interests abroad, which
has been the pride and boast of all
true and patriotic Americans.
During the year 1928 the Porto
Rico (Spanish) privateers having
upon several occasions interrupted
our commerce. Commodore Porter
sent a communication on the subject
TO the authorities of the island. Lieu
tenant w. q. Cooke, in command
OF the brig Foe, in attempting to
enter the port OF st. John, in order to
receive reply to the commodore's
official communication, was fred
upon and killed. Commodore Porter
threatened to lombard the town, and
was di sEsded from doing 80 only by
the prompt apology OF the authori-
ties Of the Island Again, in October,
1928, Lieutenant Plat, commanding
the United States brig Beagle, learn
ing that one of our merchants doing
business at st. Thomas had been
pluudered by the Spanish pirates and
MS goods taken to Foxsdo. a small
port on the island of Porto Rico,
proceeded thither to recover toe
property. On making known the
object of their visit Lieutenants Platt
and Richie were arrested and detained
under guard for day. Commodore
Porter, with his characteristic prom pit
ness, projected to Fcxsdo tO demand
expla nation and redress. Finding
that the authorities, upon his arrival
there, intended to open fire upon his
vessel, be landed foroS OF eailOra AMI
marines. took their batteries. and
compelled from their offenders the
fullest apologize.
In February, 1882, Commodore
DoWnee, ia tde irIga;e Potomac.
ascertAIned that the Malsys had cap
iurej the American chip Friendship
OF Sslem, Massachusetts. An expi-
dltion was fitted cut frUm the Poto-
mac, officered by Lieutenants
Sbubrick, Rof. Iugersoll ard Toiten
o: the navy, aud Lieutenant Edison
oi the marines. The MaIays made a
determined resistance, but were
finally overcome, and several OF their
forts captured and destroyed. Fer
5nis action the officers Of the eXpedi-
ton received the thanks OF the de-
partment. While Commander Kelly
was at Shanghai IN 1854, in the sloop
OF war Plymouth, CON binad attack
of the English and American luTce-
was made upon the q ar ps.ent 0t
the mpzfia'i:ls 10 relali7st;i'u Tor NJ
gressious committed by tae.l upon
| British residents. Ia ,n's act On the
| Chinese were severely punished. Thi:
voluntary acI OF Commando Kelly
received sne approval OF the Preyidept
ard the Department.
In ,ae later par5 OF Jute, 1858
al !~ Commander IOfTatan, IL tie
Ists4 -ai-Sa. So L2Gj<, wa Al
lSalr,Dx, Turkey. be recs.vei iuio7
~ t ua that . Hungarian, nance
ritz ks. witt a. American
passport AMI papsrs,l asd beer
arrested hy some AustrisJ oficial
ION the charge OF h6ing . dessrse
! from the Aust ian grmy). and wal
held prisCn'r n bosr1 IN Austri4I
brig OLIVIA, wAiCh vessel vas SUD.
ported by az Austrian steam gunbost
Commander IBgraham imMediatsl1
| made q demand TOR Koezts's release
at the same tine .Grn.ug cut nj:
guns and preparing bic ship t1r &C
| ton. Ko:Zta. Was promptly released
and the spirited action OF C0mmo
ldore Ingraham -eceiged tba highea
! cor meocation from tbe;government
Iaac s gold medal Ras awarded hin
h. No---osc