Star.
London, England, 1823-09-05 00:00:00

PIRATES.

FROM COMMODORE PORTER'S SQUADRON.
' CAPTAIN IPATSON'S REPORT.
el SlR—Having had'the honour to report the circum-
stances attending the cruise of the division under my
orders, prior to our separation off St. John de los
Remedios, I have now to communicate, for your in-
formation, my subsequent proceedings in the barges
Gallinipper and Musquito.
After a strict examination of the coast and islands
from Cayo Francis to Cayo Blanco, in the vicinity of
Point Hycacos, whilst cruizing in Siguapa Bay, we
discovered a large topsail schooner, with a launch in
company, working up to an anchorage at which se-
veral merchant vessels were lying. Being to wind-
ward, I bore up with the Gallinipper, for the purpose
of ascertaining their characters; and when within
gun-shot, perceiving the large vessel to be welt
armed, and her, deck filled with men, I hoisted our
colours; on seeing which she displayed the Spanish
flag, and the schooner having broiled up her fore=
sail, commenced firing at the 13allinipper. I imme-
diately kept away, and ran down upon her weather
quarter, making signal at the same time for the Mus-
quito to close; having much the advantage in-sailing,
they did not permit us to do so, but made all sail be-
fore the wind for the Village of Siguapa; to which
place we pursued 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
_infoimed, to seventy
or eighty. They engaged us without colours of
any description, having hauled down the Spanish
flag after firing the first gun ; and on approaching
to board (our men giving three cheers, and dis-
charging their muskets), the pirates fled precipi-
tately, some to their launch (lying in shore, from
whence a fire was still kept up), whilst others endea-
voured to make their escape by swimming to land.
A volley of musketry, directed at the launch, com-
pleted their disorder, and drove them into-the sea ;
but the boats going rapidly through the starer, cut
off their retreat, avith the exception of 15 : 11 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 Matanzas. The larger
vessel was called the Catalina, commanded
.by the
celebrated pirate DiAoleta, ,taken some weeks since
from the Spaniards, between Ilavannali and Ma-
tanzas, carried to Siguapa Bay, where she received
her armament; had captured nothing, this being the
commencement of her piratical ci uise.
I cannot close this communication without per-
forming-a most pleasing task in reporting the active
gallantry and good conduct of my officers and men,
none of whom sustained the slightest injury in the ac-
tion, the result of which, I trust, is sufficient to satisfy
• you that all under my orders did their duty, parti-
cularly when it is considered that we had but 26 men,
opposed to a force of pit atical 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, Lieutenant Inman, acting
Sailing-Master Bainbridge, Dr. Rabbit, Midshipmen
Harwood and Taylor, and Messrs. \V —bb and Grice,
who obeyed and ezepitei all• ordei s and signal, with
a ptoiuptitude and zeal which could not be exceeded.
—I have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) " W. 11. WATSON.
" Commodore ll..Poner, commanding the United Snitcs
Naval Forces in the Webt Indica and Gulf of Mexico."

COMMODORE PORTER TO GENERAL .VI VES..
" United States galliot Sea Cull, Allenton,
Thompson Bland, July 13, Ist:3.
" TO EMS ETCELLENCT DON FRANCE3CO DIONWO FIFES, CAPTAIN•GI,
NERAL OF THE ISLAND OF CUDA AND 11l DEPENDENCIES.

44 Your Excellency—With a full confidence that
they will be brought to condign punishment; I send
you, to be tried by the laws of Spain, five pirates,
taken on board two piratical vessels by tivo of the
barges of my squadron. 1 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.
4. The witnesses being on the spot, will enable you
to make the punishment prompt; and the example,
have,no doubt, will be highly salutary.
44 With sentiments of the highest respect, I have
the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) (4 1). PORTER,
" Commanding United States Naval Forces in the
West Indies and Gulf of Mexico."