Phenix Gazette

From the Boston Journal

THE AFFAIR OF PORT MAHON.

A friend has favored us with the following copy of a communication from Captain Downes, of the Java, to Mr. Brown, our Minister at Paris, relative to the occurrence at Port Mahon, in the Island of Minorca.

U. S. States Frigate Java,
Toulon, March 13th, 1829.

Sir: Having seen in the Toulon newspapers what purports to be an account of the affray that occurred at Mahon, between the French and American sailors, on the evening of the 15th of February, in which Lieut. Mesnard of the French brig Faune was killed, and this account being altogether incorrect, and calculated to reflect discredit on the character of the American officers then at Mahon, I have thought it a duty I owed myself as well as the service in general, to give you a statement of the circumstances as they have come to my knowledge, and I can with confidence appeal to the Government of Minorca, and other authorities of Mahon, (as far as they are acquainted with the circumstances,) for the correctness of my statement. I should not make this reference, was it not that in the account published in the French paper, it is stated, that 'these events have raised against them, (the Americans,) the indignation of the Mahonese, and the inhabitants of Villa Carlos, (George Town,) who assured the authorities of the country that in no instance were the French the aggressors.'

On the 25th Jan. last, about one hundred men belonging to the Java were on shore—during the evening there was a fight between them and the French sailors belonging to the corvette Pomone, and brig Faune, in which several of my men were severely wounded, and two of them dangerously so. Upon that occasion, the Governor of Minorca issued an order dated 26th Jan. 1829, (addressed to the Consuls,) with a request that they would communicate the same to the commanders of public vessels in port, directing that all seamen on shore should retire on board at sun set. In compliance with that order, the American seamen were kept on board their ships until the 15th February, when I obtained the consent of the Governor for them to visit the shore during the eight succeeding days. The French on the contrary appeared to take no notice of the order, but their seamen continued to visit the shore, constantly, at night, and generally armed with swords. Within a week subsequent to the affray of the 25th January, above alluded to, at my request, (made through our consul, Mr. Ladico,) the Governor of Minorca proposed to the French consul, residing at Mahon, with a view to prevent the sailors of different nations from meeting on shore, that the French sailors should be allowed a certain number of days (say ten) to visit the shore, and that afterwards the Americans should come on shore, and so on alternately. The Governor informed me that the French consul declined making any such arrangement, to which circumstance we must attribute the unfortunate affair of the 15th Feb last.

I will now state the circumstances of the case, confining myself to the evening of the 15th February. Lieutenant Mesnard, with several of his men had taken into custody a man belonging to this ship, and was dragging him along Castle street, (the general place of resort for sailors) with the declared object of taking him before the Governor, but for what purpose I have not been able to learn, the man was severely beaten, and his cries of murder brought several of his shipmates to his rescue, and in the affray which ensued, the French Lieutenant received a blow on the head, which fractured his skull, and terminated his existence.

A man belonging to the Java was passing peaceably along the street (in George town) alone, when he was met by several French sailors, one of whom drew his sword, and ran him through the body, of which wound he died the following morning; the poor fellow states that the attack was entirely unexpected, as they did not speak to him; several other men belonging to the Java were found alone and horribly mangled by the French sailors. I am happy to say, however, that only one has died of his wounds.

The excitement against the officers and crew of the Java at this place is very great, and I am sorry to say, that this hostile spirit does not appear to be confined to the seamen, but extends to the officers. I however do not believe that the superior officers are so illiberal, as to charge to the officers of the Java, the acts committed by a parcel of riotous, drunken sailors on shore, where the officers of course were not with them, and consequently could not prevent the riot. The only circumstance which could lead me to suppose that this hostile feeling extended to the superior officers is the fact, that the French commanding officer in this port did not upon my arrival, send a boat to inquire if I was in want of anything, and with an offer of his services, which is always customary even in a foreign port. In this instance, (to say the least,) it bears an unfriendly aspect.

If a French Frigate were to arrive in one of our ports, where we had some 20 ships of war lying, and should remain there ten days, and the American officers should take no notice of her, during that time, I ask what would the French say? This is precisely my situation here.

I am given to understand that it would not be prudent to allow my officers to land at Toulon, as it is more than probable that they would be assassinated.

I make this statement to you, under the impression that you would receive a communication, on the subject of the affray at Mahon, from the French Government, and that my statement may be acceptable to you.

I am now waiting the arrival of our agent, Mr. M'Call. I shall sail for Mahon immediately upon his arrival.

I will mention also, that two men belonging to the Java were identified as having been present, when the French Lieutenant was killed and having been demanded of me by the Governor, were given up to the civil authorities.

I have the honour to be, &c.
JOHN DOWNES.

To his Excellency James Brown,
Envoy Extraordinary, &c. &c. at Paris.