The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-09-12
Oclale9tic.
FROM THE BALTIMORE AMERICAN.
TOFFICIAL.1
Baltimore, Aug. 81, 1907

the proceedings or the dctachmcnts from the In
dependent Company, and United Volunteers,
under our command, who offered their fcrvices
TO take the pirate that was lately molesing the
commerce of the Chefapeakc.
We embarked in the evening of the 9th
inf. on board the fchr. Volunteer, commanded
for the occahon by captain Porter of the Ame-
ricsn navy. In our progreis down the bav, we
looked into the fevera in,ets and harbours,
which were likely to be hiing places fer pi-
rate, and boarded number of vehsls, from
| none of which we could receive any corre0 in
| form alton.
On the oath in the evening we made the Pa.
tuXent, and were happy to defcry fchooner at
anchor, which was foon rccogpiz,d TO be the
Object of our fearch. II was refo,vsd 70 approach
her it poiiiblc without exciting fufpicion, for
which purpoie the whole of the troops were
| concealed below and it was concerted with
captain Porter that he would pats her, 70 as to
prevent her efcaping up the Patuxeut, then tack
flip, cut her off from the fl,ore, and immedi-
ateiy lay her along tide, when the troops would
board. Unfortunately the water was too !hal-
low to admit the execution of the lalt part of
our plan, when captain Porter reiolved to ap.
proach as near as poiIible, and TO attack, if fhe
did not iurrender on being fummoned. At this
moment, we difcovered the pirates boat put
ting OFT with four men in it, and making for the
ifore. They were inaantly fired upon, but aft.
ter monetary paufe, they perfevered in max.
ing tor the ihore, when we gave them fecond
hot. AT this time the fchooner hoif:ed French
colours, and very foon truck then, when we
tent the boat on board to take pof1effion, and
were greatly furprifed to End but three men in
her.
| The boat was then manned to purfue the flu
gitives, but we difcovered brig at anchor a.
crois the Patnxent which we fufpcctcd was 4
prize to the pirate, and believing it to be of the
firit importance to retake her, the boat was or
dered back, and we proceeded for the brig,
but found The was an outward bound merchant
man, and had not been boarded by tine pirate.
We returned to the place where we had CAP
tured him, but it being now dark it was deem
ed vain attempt to epdeavour to purfue the
| tour fugitlves, through the woods at that time,
and we food off, on our return with the prize.
The following morning we fpoke captain Wood.
land and capt. Hynfon, with their rifle compa-
MES from Baltimore, proceeding on the fame
bulineis, and communicated what we had done.
and requefted them TO continue their csurfe.
and to land and fcour the woods for the pirates
that efcaped which fervicc they undertook
with the greatea cheerfunefs and aIacrity
They were accompanied by lieut.. Calhoun Of
the independent company, who was to point
out to them the grounds for their operations,
and who was alto iBfrueed to proceed to the
French imPeria! flip Patriot, and to re9ueH
her commander, if any of the piratss bad taken
refuge on .b9ard of him, to fnrrender them to
be tried bf,the laws of the u. Statss.-Thc
whole of this fcrvice was executed with cor
rcctnefs. Commodore Krohm received lieut.
Calhoun with poieneis, and at once informed
him, tharhe had the four m en- who had efclp-
ed from the fchooner in irons on board of him
that he had communicated the circumstance 10
his excellency the French mniner, to whom he
held himlelf refponfible for the Frifoners. Up
on Mr.. Calhoun re urging his reqreit, Commo-
dore Krohm agreed 10 deliver them to him, but
Stipulated that they n,ould be accompanied by
au officer of his ihip, and not furrendered to
the civil authority, without the conitnt of the |
minitcr: Upon application to general Turreau, |
his Content was readily granted and the prfon.
era are now in jail. The citizens Of Annapolis |
and the crew of the F.cnch fhip L'Eole, were |
alto on TIE alert on the location, and have ar
relted Eve OF the piratical crew, 70 that We now
have l2 in confinement, TO take their trial, and
among them all the principal characters.
Thus has plan OF piracy, which threatened |
ferrous injury to our commerce, been complete |
ly broken up. The fmaIl fchr. our prize, has
a quantity of fmall arms, boarding knives, &c. |
on board, and it is afcertained was to have been |
kept a5 fore fhiP, until their arrangements
were completed, when they were TO poGTefs !.
themiclves of veifel, better calculated for their
Ubiquitous purpoie. We al greatly indebted |
10 the vigilance and bravery of captain Porter
for our fucCeis, and to his amiable and very
correct department, for the harmony and hap
pinefs which prevailed from the beginning 10
the end Of the expedition. He has fecured our
and eteem and merits the thanks of
The merchants of Baltimore. A number of
manCr maIiGcrs and others, volunteered their
fervicts alto, and conducted tbemfeves with
fpnit and ptopriety that did them honor We
furnlh you lin of their names that you may
report them to the committee of merchants.
The pilot, boatfwain, gunner, and feamen en-
gagged for the fervice, all behaved well, and
did their duty like RilfuI and brave feam:n.
Too much praife cannot he beftowed on the of
hcefs and folders Of our REFLECTIVE companies
they embarked with alacrity, fubmitted with
chcerfunefs TO the many inconvenit nces of
heir ituation, were itritt obiervers Of the ne &
,eHsry difcipline, aud dilplsyed cool and de-
iberate courage in the hour Of trial. The own
r of the fchooner Volunteer, MIR. lanes Cal
we'll, who voluntarily offered her for this iervice,
S entitled to the thanks Of the public.
We have the honor to be with great refpeH, 4
ir, your humble ferYants.
SAMUEL STERRET, Captain
Independent Company.
JOSEPH 5TERRET, Captain
Baltimore United Volunteers.
Col. toHN STRickEg, 5th Maryland Brigade.
Mafcr, mariners and others that volunteered
N board the armed fchr. Volunteer, lieut.. Por-
er commander, on an expedition to take