We dared not yet venture to communicate with the shore, for only a few hours since, an American schooner, Rampart, of Baltimore, that had been chartered by a Spanish house, at Lima, attempted to enter the mole in order to receive her cargo. The American ensign was flying at her mast-head, and just as she was rounding the pier-head, the batteries opened upon her, shot away the head of her foremast, and sunk her. The crew had barely time to escape with their lives, and among them was the celebrated " Big Dick," a gigantic and most powerful negro, who reached the frigate in a very small boat. This was done in the short space of an hour. Big Dick had a narrow chance for his life; for just as he had stepped into the boat, with his hand still upon the schooner's rail, a shot cut off the piece where his hand was, passed within a few inches of his head, and nearly knocked the breath out of him.
In this state of uncertainty, our first lieutenant concluded to try what efficacy there might be in a flag of truce. Accordingly, on the fourth day, a boat was prepared with an American flag at the stern, a white flag forward; a lieutenant and a midshipman, and the boats crew all neatly dressed. The officer of the boat had received orders to proceed towards the captain of the port's office, and to lie on his oars, out of the reach of a musket shot, and there remain one hour. And if, in that time no official notice was taken of the flag, to return to the frigate; but, should the captain of the port, or master of marine, or any one having authority to communicate, come off, then put the following interrogatories, (which were in writing,) and note the answers with your pencil: " Do you know any thing of Capt.
Downes?" "What is the condition of our wounded men, who were taken to the hospital? " " Can we obtain our provisions from the shore? " " Can we haul up to our old moorings? " According to orders, the boat proceeded to her peace, and had hardly hauled in their oars, when a boat was seen coming off to them, with a huge Spanish ensign at the stern. When within talking distance, an officer who was in a rich uniform, arose, and in a very polite manner, took off his chapeau, and enquired what was wanting, through the interpreter. The interrogatories were put in the order in which they were written. The answer to the first was as follows: " I believe Capt.
Downes is at Lima. We do not know that any harm has been done to him." To the second, — "I do not know anything about them, but presume that they are well taken care of." To the third, — "I cannot imagine any difficulty in obtaining what you wish from the shore." And to the fourth, — "I will proceed to the office of the intendent and ascertain, and if you please to accompany me, you can have all.the particulars very soon." The officer declined doing this, as it would be contrary to his orders: but replied to the Spanish officer that he would return to the Macedonian, and report what had already passed and would probably be at the same place to-morrow at nine o'clock, A.
M. Accordingly, on the morrow, the boat with the same officers and crew proceeded to the place, but with additional orders that the permits should be given in writing, as nothing verbal would be considered official. When our boat had arrived at the appointed place, the captain of the port came immediately off, bringing Mr. Marshall, and Jacob Bull, the seaman who had been shot through the body. The captain of the port very much regretted the unfortunate mistake, as all were now fully satisfied that the Macedonian was perfectly neutral in the affair of the Esmaralda. The port admiral had instructed him to say, that the Macedonian had full permission to return to her former mooring, and also declared with much vehemence, that the officers of the Macedonian could visit the shore without the slightest fear of molestation, and that our market boat could also come to the landing-place in perfect safety.
The officer of our boat very politely acknowledged the courtesy of the captain of the port, and replied to him, that as this would in all probability become a government matter, he was instructed by the first lieutenant of the Macedonian, in absence of the captain, to request a written and official permit for what he had just stated to be so generously conceded by the port admiral; adding, that he would wait until the required document could be furnished. The captain of the port assented, went directly ashore, and in two hours returned with a paper containing all that was required. Mr. Marshall was much bruised about the head and shoulders, and told us of the attempts that were made by the Spaniards to get into their wards to kill them.