Edgefield Advertiser

New-York, Oct. 6.

Later from Rio Janeiro. - Outrage on the American Flag - an American Vessel Abandoned to the British - Arrival of Captain Dumas.

Rio De Janeiro, August 1, 1844.

To the Journal de Commercio, Rio Janeiro.

Sir. - I hope that one of your columns will be open for the article hereunder, which must be seen by the whole world. By inserting it you will oblige, not only your humble servant, but the American nation.

Your most obedient,

P. C. DUMAS.

On the second day of June, at 1 o'clock, P. M., the English man of-war brig Alert, was lying to at anchor, five miles off Cabiada. Her boat came alongside, manned by two officers, one boy, and four negro sailors (called Crewmen.) The Captain of the Alert, Mr. Bosanquet, (after I told him that the brig was the Cyrus, of New-Orleans, and visited once by him by force, to save himself the trouble to visit my vessel twice, and at the same time asked him who he was, and to show me a power from his government to visit me, answered, putting his hands on his flag—"This tells who I am;" and said to me "I will come on board and you will see," "Very well, sir; a protest shall be made for violating the treaty." The moment he got on deck with his officers and crew, he ordered his men to open my hatches one and aft - went down himself with his company, and came on deck after he found that the vessel had nothing but water ballast, (nothing else,) then came towards me and said in a rough manner - "I want to see your papers." My answer was in the same tone - "Since, when a man like you, takes the liberty to jump on board of an American vessel against the Captain's will, opening hatches, searching the cabin, and all over the ship, without speaking a word to me; and besides that I must show you my paper - please tell me who you are? - You are not in uniform; any pirate can come to an anchor like your brig, and send a boat with an English flag, as you do. Please show me a power to visit me - then on the spot, I will show you my papers."

He said "I have it, but it is on board." "Well go and get it." "My word is good enough." I said that I was not obliged to him - then again he asked for the papers. "You shall not see them." "Well if you don't show me your papers I will take you to be a pirate, and from this moment I take charge of the brig." My answer was - "as long as that flag is hoisted, and my papers on board I shall be the captain of my own ship; or if you wish to take charge of her, you must send for more force, or order your brig to come along side to fire into me, until I am killed, holding the ensign halliards in my hands."

During the conversation I held my log book in the left hand then, thinking I would show my papers quicker, he said to me - "the reason why you cannot show me the papers is - because you have sold your vessel - I was told so" "It is not true; if my vessel was sold I would not have the American flag up, nor my crew would be on board now." Vexed to find that he could not succeed in any way he then said. "well I will go in the cabin and make a search all over." Immediately I placed the American flag before the cabin door, which was held tight by myself, the mate and two of my men, and observed to him that he could not "step into the cabin without trampling on the United States flag." His answer was that "it made no difference to him," and he instantly rushed into the cabin, followed by his officer and a negro, who trampled the flag under their feet in presence of my crew. Then I said "Boys, our flag is insulted - it will cost dear to the English nation!" They all came on deck, and the Captain told me let him have my log book. My answer was - "Never! and as long as I had a drop of blood in my veins no British subject would take it away from me." Then, he observed, that he had "power to obtain it by force;" at the same time he ordered one his negroes to take the book from me, who obeyed the order given to him. I stepped back, pushing the negro, and called on my mate and crew to assist me and to arm themselves with handspikes and knives, and be ready to strike, in case of the British officer gave a new order. At this the British captain turned pale, and with the voice of a coward, said to me: "Captain, stop your men -- I don't wish to see any blood shed - or butchery;" then nothing took place. He wanted to go into the cabin to make a second search. I observed to him that "my papers were on board, in my trunk," and showed him the key. He said, "Let me have the key, or I shall take it by force." My answer was, "Have you forgotten what took place on the log-book before? Do you wish to begin again?" "Then," he said, "I will go in cabin and have your trunk broken open." I gave no answer. He sent his officers and negro to act. I followed them with my mate. They broke the trunk and took the papers out of it. I observed to the officer that I had money in my trunk, a gold watch, etc. He made no answer, and we all went on deck. He handed the papers to his Captain. I then told him. "Now, you are satisfied with your chef d'oeuvres, please to give me my papers, as I wish to sail to-morrow." "No sir, I will keep them with me, and pocket them, and go off." I then said to him, "As long as my papers are taken away from me, I shall have to leave my vessel." - and, thereupon, me and my crew abandoned her; leaving everything on board, trunks, instruments, chronometer, &c.

P. C. DUMAS.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE, Rio de Janeiro.

I, the undersigned, Consul of the United States, hereby certify the signature to the foregoing document to be that of P. C. Dumas, late master of the American brig Cyrus, of New Orleans.

Given under my hand and seal of office, this 5th day of August, 1844.

(Seal.)

GEO. WM. GORDON,

Consul United States.