The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-10-07

| ing under direct authority OF Congress,
| in the bombarlment of Algiers and
Tripoli, during the conquest of Cali
fornia, the war with Mexico, and the
two wars with England, our small but
ever gallant and alert naval forces have
earned and sustained a reputation for
prompt and efficient action in the pro-
lection of American interest 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 sew
eral occasions interrupted our commerce.
Commodore Porter sent q communica-
ton on the subject to the authorities of
the island. Lieutenant w. H. Cooke,
in command of the brig Fox, in attempt
ing to enter the port of st. Johns, in
order to receive reply to the Commo-
dcre's official communication, was fired
upon and killed. Commodore Porter
threatened to lombard the town, and
WIS dissuaded from doing so only by
the prompt apology of the authorities of
the island. Again, in October, 1928,
Lieutenant Plat, commanding tho
United States brig Beagle, learning that
one of our merchants doing business at
st. Thomas had been plundered by
Spanish pirates and his goods taken to
Foxado, q small port on the island of
Porto Rico, proceeded thither to recover
the property. On making known the
object of their visit Lieutenants Plat and
Richie %are arrested and detained under
guard for a day. Commodore Porter.
with his Characteristic promptness, pro-
ceeded to Foxado to demand explanation
and redress. Finding that the authori-
ties, upon his arrival there, intended to
open fire upon his vessel, he landed
force of sailors and marines, took their
batteries. and compelled from the Of
tenders the fullest apologies.
In February. 1882, Commodore
Downes. in the frigate Potomac, ascer-
tanned that the Malays had captured the
American ship Friendship, Of Salem,
Mass. An expedition was fitted out
from the Potomac, Differed by Lieuten-
ants Shubrick, Hoff. Ingersoll and Tot
ten. of the navy. and Lieutenant Edison,
of the marines. The Malays made
determined resistance, but were finally
overcome and several of their forts capt
ured and destroyed. For this action
the officers of the expedition received
the thanks of the department When
Commander Kelly was at Shanghai, in
1854. in the sloop-of-war Plymouth, a
combined attack of the English and
American forces was made upon the en-
canpment of the Imperialists in retalia-
ton for aggressions committed by them
upon British residents. In this action
the Chinese were severely punished.
This voluntary act of Commander Kelly
received the approval of the President
and the department.
In the latter part of June, 1853, while
Commander Ingraham, in the sloop-of-
war st. Louis, was at Smyrna, Turkey,
hereceived information that Hungarian
named Martin Koszta, with an Ameri-
can passport and papers, had been ar.
rested by some Austrian officials Ton the
charge of being deserter from the Aus
trian army. and was held prisoner on
board an Austrian brig-of-war, which
vessel was supported by an Austrian
steam gunboat. Commander Ingraham
Immediately made demand for Koszta's
release, at the same time running out
his guns and preparing his ship for ac-
ton. Koszta was promptly released,
and the spirited action Of Commodore
Ingraham received the highest COM
mendation from the Government, and
a gold medal was awarded him by Con-
gress.
In January, 1854, Lieutenant Strain,
of the navy. was engaged in exploring
a route across the isthmus. During the
progress of the work the natives COM
mitted various outrages upon the persons
and property of American citizens en-
ployed in or connected with the survey.
In retaliation, Captain Hollins. in the
sloop-of-war Cayne. bombarded and de-
stroyed the town of San Juan de Nicar-
aqua
In April, 1853, Lieutenant Amy, in
the Fulton. compelled the release of the
American vessels that had been seized
and detained by the authorities of Tam
Mexican Government desired to refer
the matter of the seizure of these vessels
to the official action of the respective
Governments. You will release the
vessels first" said Almy; s.then the Gov
eminent can indulge in all the palever
they want to.
In August, 1858, Captain Kelly, in the
Saranac, compelled by display of force
at San Juan del Sur, in Nicaragua, the
release of two American citizens who
had been unjustly imprisoned. In Au-
gust, 1853, Commander Sinclair visited
Waga. one of the Fejees, and indicted
summary punishment upon the natives
for the murder of two American citizens.
He destroyed their town and laid waste
the country for miles.
In November. 1858. Captain Lavalette.
In the frigate Wabash, visited Beyrout.
Syria, to investigate the outragcs COM
mitted upon our citizens, and particu-
larly the circumstances connected with
the murder of Mr.. Dickson, near Jaffa
the outrages were promptly arrested,
tried and summsrily punished by Cap tain
Iavalnffa - PhiIade f1aLia Pccse Is