The Sun.
London, England, 1823-09-05 00:00:00

1 cannot dose this communication without expressing a hope
that the brilliant success of iiieutenant-Commander Watson,
and his excellent character as an officer and a man, may Induce
the Department to promote him to a higher grade, as the most
suitable iewatd for his serviees. 1 have the honour to be, with
great respect, yourobedient servant,
lion. Secretary of the Navy.

D. PORTER.

ft., cArTAIN WATSON'S REPOKT.
Sir—Ravin had the honour to report the circumstances at.

tendingthe cruise of the division under my orders, prior to our
separation off St. John de los Remedios, I have now to com-
municate, for your information, my subsequent proceedings in •
the barges Gallinipper and .11fuequito.
After a strict examination of the coast and islands from Cayo
Francie •to Cayo Blanco, in the vicinity, of Point llyeacos,
whilst cruising in Siguapa Bay, we discovered a large topsail
schooner, with a launch in company, working up to an anchor-
-
ags At Which several 'riierthant veasels were lying. Being to wind-
ward, I bore up with the Gallinipper, for the purpose of ascer-
taining their characters; and when within grun-shot,sterceiving
the large vessel to be well anted; and her deck filled with men,
I hoisted our colouri"; on seeing which she displayed the
Spanish flag; and the schooner having brailed up her fore-sail,
commenced firing at • the Gellinipper. 1 immediately kept
away, and ran down upon her weather quarter, making signal
at the same time for the Ali/quite to close : having much the
advantage in sailing, they did not permit us to do so, but made
all sail before the wind for the, village of Siguapa, to Which
place we ptiarsued them, and, after a short action, succeeded In ,
taking both vessels, and effecting the almost total destruction
of their crews, amounting, as nearly as could be ascertained
at the time, to fifty or sixty men; but as we are since informed,
to seventy or eighty. They engaged us without colours.of any
description, having hauled down the Spanish flag after tiring
.the first gun ; and on .approaching to board (our men giving
three cheers, and discharging their muskets), the pirates fled.
precipitately, some to their launch (lying in shore, from. hence
a tire was still kept up), whilst others endeavoured to escape by
swimming; to the land. A volley of musketry, directed at the
launch, .completed their disorder; and drove them, into the
.sea ; but the boats going rapidly through the water, cut. Off
their retreat,. with , the exception of fifteen : eleven of whom
were .either killed or desperately wounded and taken prisoners
'by, our men, who landed, in pursuit, and the remaining four
were apprehended by the local authorities, and sent to Itla-
tanzas. The larger vessel was called the Catalina, corn-
' mended by the celebrated pirate Diaboleta, taken some weeks
since from the Spaniards, between Havannah and Matanzas,
carried to Siguapa Bay, where shee
received her armament ;
had captured nothing; this being th commencement of her •
piratical cruise.
• I cannot close this communication without performing a molt
pleasing, task in reporting the active gallantry and good conduct
of my officers and nien,,none of ' whom sustained the slightest
injury in the action' the result of which, I trust, is sufficient to
satisfy you that all under my orders did their duty, particu-
larly when it is considered that-we had but 26 men, opposed to
a force of piratical vessels, well supplied with arms of all kinds,
among which was one long nine and two six-pounders. I have
much pleasure in naming as my-associates, laentenant Inmah,
acting Sailing Master Bainbridge, Dr, Rabbit, Midshipmen
Harwood and Taylor, and Messrs. .Webb and Grice, who obey-
ed and executed all, orders and signals with a promptitude and
zeal which Coultl•not he exceeded.
I have the honour to be, vet's, respectfully; yo
obedient
servant, _ • • W. 11.. WATSON.,
Commodore D. Porter, commanding the united States
NaVal Force); in the W eat Indies and Gulf of Mexico.

COMMODORE PORTER TO nEN Elt Li VIVES.
United States galliot, Sea Gull, Allenton,
Thotripson's Island, July 13,1823.
To his Excellency Don Francisco Dionisio `'ivies, Captain.
General of the .Island of Cuba-and its dependencies.
Your Exeellcncy,—With ,a full confidence that they will be"
brought to eohdign punishment, I send you, to be tried by' the
laws of Spain, five pirates, taken on board two piratical vessels
by two of the. barges of my, squadron. I also send by the same
conveyance, tWo men, making,part of the original crew of one
of the vessels when she fell into the hands of the pirates.
The witnesses being on the spot, will enable you to make
the punitfhtnent prompt, and the example, I have no doubt,will be
salutary.
With sentiment's of the highest respect, hare the honour
to be, your. Excellency's very obedient humble servant,
D. PORTER,
. .
Commanding United States Naval Forces in the West
.Indies and Oulf of Aiello.