the Karimoko. Captain John Bradshaw of the former had been granted all possible privileges, his supercargo, Rufus Perkins, being permitted to travel by land from mission to mission;[1] but finally in July, at San Diego, he was ordered to deposit his cargo in the warehouse as security for duties, and pending the investigation of charges. He was accused of notorious smuggling on the Lower Californian coast;[2] of having illegally transferred the cargo of another vessel to his own; of having touched at Santa Catalina in defiance of special orders; of having refused to show his invoices or make a declaration; and of insolence to the governor. Bradshaw and Perkins, being on shore, promised obedience to the order; but asked permission to go on board to make the necessary preparations, and when there refused to leave the vessel, laughed in the face of the Californians sent to convey and enforce — so far as possible by threats — Echeandía's order, and on July 11th changed anchorage to a point near the entrance of the harbor. The governor circulated a warning to the padres and others to deliver no goods to the Franklin should she escape,[3] as seemed likely to happen, though Bradshaw still promised submission to legal proceedings. Meanwhile Echeandía prepared to put a guard on the vessel, and applied to Duhaut-Cilly for a boat. The French captain could not refuse, but warned Bradshaw and interposed delays. On the morning of the 16th the Franklin cut her cable and ran out of the port, the officers and crew shouting their derision of the Mexican flag as they passed the fort. Forty cannon-balls were sent after the flying craft, with no apparent effect; but
- ↑ May 7, 1828. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 200.
- ↑ A warning had come from Loreto in May. Dept. Rec., MS., vi. 203. Duhaut-Cilly, Viaggio, ii. 194-200, who was at S. Diego at this time, denounces one Wm Simpson, a man whom Bradshaw had befriended, for having treacherously exposed the Yankee captain's crimes. He says there was some trouble about a deposit of cargo to secure duties, but that it would have been amicably arranged but for Simpson's act.
- ↑ July 12, 1828, gov. to comandantes, alcaldes, and padres. The Franklin is to be detained, if possible, should she dare to enter any port. Dept. St. Pap., MS., ii. 59-60.
