But the policy of Becker was felt to be not only reckless, it was felt to be absurd also.

Sudden nocturnal onfalls upon native boats could lead, it was felt, to no good end whether of peace or war; they could but exasperate; they might prove, in a moment, and when least expected, ruinous.

To those who knew how nearly it had come to fighting, and who considered the probable result, the future looked ominous.

And fear was mingled with annoyance in the minds of the Anglo-Saxon colony.

On the 24th, a public meeting appealed to the British and American consuls.