134 AMICABLE COMPROMISE. [1824. 



imperceptibly, placed himself by the side of a soldier. In reply to my 

 question one of them said, with an emphasis of much meaning, " We 

 are doing nothing at present, captain, but shall soon be very busy." 



I told them to attempt nothing without my orders, as I hoped to ob- 

 tain justice without proceeding to extremities. "Should this not be 

 the case," I added, " the signal word will be liberty or death /" I then 

 turned to the governor, and accosted him in a tone which I thought 

 suitable to the emergency, and in his own language. 



"By what authority, sir, do you commit this outrage? And for 

 what cause are my crew and myself dragged within the walls of this 

 prison 1 This question, sir, requires an immediate answer." 



The governor replied, that it had been reported to him that my 

 vessel was a Spanish privateer ; and that he should detain us until 

 he was satisfied to the contrary. I rejoined that my crew were all 

 American and English seamen; that the Wasp sailed under the United 

 States' flag ; a flag which could never be dishonoured with impunity ; 

 and that I was determined not to be trifled with. I therefore demanded 

 that my crew should be instantly liberated, and allowed to go on 

 board the vessel unmolested, or some innocent blood would be spilt in 

 a very few minutes. 



I now advanced to his excellency's elbow, and laying my hand on 

 my dirk, continued — 



" You see these gallant seamen, sir — lads that never knew fear — 

 each with a trusty weapon in his grasp — there are twenty-two of them 

 — see how their eager gaze is fixed on me — were I to pronounce 

 one word, or make the slightest signal, these twenty -two freemen, sir, 

 would instantly assail your garrison. But to show you that I do not 

 wish to see blood spilt when it can be avoided, 1 consent to remain 

 on shore this night, if my crew are immediately set at liberty." 



My friend Williams here stepped forward and offered to give secu- 

 rity for ten thousand dollars, if it was required, that I should remain 

 on shore until the governor was satisfied respecting the character of 

 the Wasp. To this proposition his excellency now readily acceded, 

 and in a few minutes my crew were all on board. The governor then 

 expressed his regret at what had occurred; and. assured me that 

 nothing was farther from his intentions than to insult the flag of a 

 friendly nation, or to be deficient in the rites of hospitality. He 

 therefore insisted that Mr. Williams and myself should accompany 

 him to his residence, and drown all animosities in a cup of tea. We 

 did so ; and the evening was passed in a very social friendly manner. 



February 14th. — On the following morning, in conformity to pre- 

 vious arrangements, the character of my vessel was to be ascertained 

 by actual and personal inspection ; and my friend Williams volun- 

 teered to forfeit his whole fortune if every thing was not found to be 

 correct on board the Wasp. Accordingly, at half-past seven o'clock, 

 the whole party was ready to proceed, consisting of the governor, 

 the collector, the captain of the port, the general, and several mer- 

 chants of the first standing in the place, together with my English 

 friend and myself. On reaching the vessel they were received with a 



