Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

PORTUGUESE OUTRAGE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG.

It will be seen below, in an extract from a letter written from on board the U. S. ship Franklin, 74, that a serious outrage was committed on the American flag, at Porto Praya, the residence of the governor general of the Portuguese settlements at the Cape de Verde Islands.

It is to be regretted that, in consequence of a gale of wind springing up, the Franklin was unable to take a position and return the "compliment."

[City Gaz.

In getting under way from Porto Praya, about 8 P. M. on the 29th ult. two batteries commenced a fire on us, and continued it until we were out of gun-shot. The vessel sustained no damage, except a shot through the fore top sail. The Com.. immediately called a council of war, and it was determined to attack the town on the next morning. We accordingly made all preparation, but unfortunately for us, the wind increased to a gale, and the ship drifted to leeward of the Port. On next morning a boat came along side, with a letter from the Consul, stating that the officers and men engaged in making the assault, had been confined. This was not thought a sufficient satisfaction, and we continued to beat to windward during the day, with the hope of getting up, and obtaining ample satisfaction for the insult offered to our flag; but, the wind increasing, and but little probability of beating up for several days, induced the Commodore to bear away. It appears to have been an intentional mistake on the part of the governor, who had, previously to our arrival, ordered his officers to fire into any American vessel, that should attempt to leave the Port without his permission. This order, he had neglected to countermand, and it is hardly possible for him to have forgotten it. The order seems to have originated from several privateers having been there, under American colours, which cannot justify his conduct.

[Nat. Int.

Note.--Their pusillanimous conduct, during the late war, in suffering the Gen. Armstrong, privateer, in the port of Fayal, to be attacked by a British force; the surrender of the British schr. Elizabeth, captured by Com. Porter, at Rio Janeiro, in 1813, and many other grievances, remain to be atoned for; and which will not, it is hoped, be over-looked by our government, as a set off against a recent demand made by them upon the United States for "vessels insulted, robbed, or captured, by the pirates." (under Artigas' commission.)