Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-03-04

10 the questions Campbell replied
that he had been informed by an Amer
ican whalcr that England and Spain
Were at war that he had sent his
prizes off ON their way 10 India after
refreshing at Norfolk island. and that
his authority 10 privateer was his com
mission in the East India company as n
captain of marines.
Governor King said he did not con-
slider this satisfactory and after taking
counsel with other officers Of the settle
ment decided to detain the Harrington
until the home government could be
communicated with. So Campbell was
ordered To unbcnd his sails. strike his
topmasts aud lower yards and unship
his ruddcr
Campbell protested. saying that his
case had been considered without call
ing upon him to be present This, as q
matter of fact. was correct. for while
some of his sailors gave evidence at the
inquiry he was not allowed to meet
them in open court His protest is very
properly worded. and he undoubtedly
has the best Of the argument II was
not apprised of the intention Of the
governor to hold an inquiry. Such
method is irregular and calculated to
prejudice my case. No adverse evil
dcnce should be- taken without giving
me an opportunity 10 rcfute it. Fur
ther, the detention IF my ship is seri-
ous loss to my owners. who will have no
redress if even later ON my innocence is
proved. and my commission in the East
India company service makes me an
swerable to them for any improper con-
duct. Anyhow. according to British
Jurisprudence. you ought to hold me
innocent until you can prove the CON
trary. Yet You seize my ship.
King curtly answered that an East
India company's commission did not
authorize people to seize the vessels Of
friendly powers; that there was no evil
dence Of war existing between England
and Spain. and even if war did exist.
since the Harrington mad no proper let
ter of marque. the prizes must become
a droit of admiralty
Poor Campbell had 20 submit though
he manfully resented King action. but
the latter was acting conscicntiously.
So when Campbell offered substantial
security and some leading sydney mer-
chants backed him with money Cover
nor King consented 10 the Harrington :
cargo being discharged acl to her cap
tain proceeding on his voyage to Mad
ras. But alas for Ca,Ipbcll just as the
affair Wa On The point IF being settled
in this way the saw Francisco V San
Paulu and i.strclninl were discovered
lowering about the coast If New South
Wales apparently waiting for Camp
bell The two ships were ut Gncc cap
tured by the government brig and
brought into Port jackson
Naturally King lost his temper. and
again placed Canpbeil under detention.
Meanwhile ispatches had gone home,
and all parties resigned themselves for
the long weary wait that was 10 follow
before an answering dispatch came from
the home government.
At last, however. it came. in the
early months of 1906. when Niscount
Castlerca:,h wrote, telling King To in
stantly release Campbell. the ship and
crew and the prize crews of the two
Spanish vessels which could he sold rs
lawful prizes. This snub for the good
hearted and conscientious governor was
softened by the profoundly wise OBJ
servation that 'thc spirit and principle
(sicl on which you acted is approved
the which considering the affair of
the Spanish treasure ships off Cape st.
Vincent, is very pretty. Mall
Magazine