The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-03-30
NUMBER l3.
Some Reasons why the q. s. Navy Should
be Enlarged

In the year 1857 the merchant ship "Sports-
man. of Boston, Mass, was captured while
loading at the port of Santa Maria, Bolivia, by
the Chilian corvette Esmeralda. The Chilian
Government probably had good reasons for be-
lieving that if they did haul down the Stars and
Stripes the L. S. Government would make but
feeble resistance, and would not only submit
meeky to the insult to the flag, but be inclined
to throw the mantle of charity over previous
acts Of the Chilian Government, and her well
matured plan to rob Bolivia of her seaport,
Santa Maria. Chill has since conquered Bolivia,
hauling down her flag, and taking possession of
her remaining seaports, and has also conquered
Peru, hauled down her flag, and now wants to
know of the three Governments whose flags she
has lowered, what they are going to do about it,
while she possesses three iron-clads.
Claiming all the rights guaranteed by the Con-
stitution to each citizen of the United States,
have an interest in knowing what our Govern
ment is going to do about it and will state some
facts which may assist in solving the problem.
The ship Sportsman was owned by Walker
Bros. Of Boston, and John Peircc & Co.. Bel
fast, Me, and was commanded by William
Thompson. While at Valparaiso. in Chill, she
was chartered by Alsop & Co. to load at ports
in Bolivia, copper ore, for Baltimore. When
the ship arrived at Cato there was no cargo
ready for her, and the agent of AIsop Il Co. told
the captain if he would proceed to the port Of
Santa Maria, in Bolivia, he would there find a
cargo awaiting his arrival At Cpbija he receiv-
ed on board a Bolivian officer Of customs and
proceeded TO the port Of Santa Maria. When
the ship was about one-thrd loaded, the Chilian
steam corvette Esmeralda entered the harbor
and ordered the captain TO leave with his ship
at once. The captain, knowing no reason why
he should be made to leave before he had To-
ceiyed his cargo, and believing that if the Boil
vian Government was not able to protect him
in one of her own ports. the Stars and Stripes
which floated over his ship should protect him
from insult or capture, refused to leave. Then
the officers of the Esmerada boarded and took
possession of the Ship, the captain officers and
crew >urrenderng as prisoners of war. The
Chilian officers hauled down the Stars and
Stripes-an insult never since attempted by
any other naton-and. with the ships own
hawscrs towcd her TO the port of Caldera in
Chill. When Capt, Thompson informed Mr.
Bigler, our minister at Santiago. of the capture
of his ship, Mr.. Biglcr, knowing how a Govern
ment like the United States should act when in
suited in this manner, informed the Chial
Government they must have the E>meradu
tow the ship to the port from which they took
bpr IL bnr So1,I Ia +l.,,r
refused, and after a detention of three month,
| and nine days, at loss to the captain and owl-
ers of more than thirty thousand dollars The
captain was permitted to take his ship. 1t !,
twenty-fOur years since the capture OF the ship
and the Chlan Government has neither made
reparation to this Government for the insult Il
its flag or indcmnitcd the owners for their los.
by the illegal capture and detention of thcil
ship. If it is the duty Of the United state, GOV
ernment to protect her merchant marine vhc1
loading at friendly ports, then the owners ol
said ship should be indemnfcd either BY Chill
| or by the United States Government Ii i about
| time for the United States to say which,
ONE OF THE OWNERS.