Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-08-13

to ascertain the character OF their
eaptors, and TO repossess themselves
estheir property and bring it up to
town. where, III the capture was
made by Americans legally author
lied, justice might be done. They
accordingly procured two row-boats
with so persons. who volunteered 10
assist them: they proceeded down
TIE harb0r, the owners. MIR COrne<
lius Coolidge. having charge of one
beat. and Mr.. Francis j. Oliver o.
the other. having first provided them
selves with arms and ammunition to
rep,l any attack that might be made
npoB them. should the eaptors prove
tabe enemies. When they had aear-
" reached the Fort ,hey observed
the brig standing NJ towards town
under fill sail. and the latteen rig
ged priyateer in company. which III
dueed them to suppose that the "a
la.m hail been given Of the captains
escape, and that the captors had DC
ter,Dinrd 10 gain postum by which
they might make off with their prize
thrnugh Broad SQUAD. The boats
then proceeded in direction to cut
them oil, soon observed the privateen
TO hay herself along side the brig,
and sass into it. what was after
wards aseertainefl TO be arms and
ammunition. and then the priyatcer
shncred OF a lii.le so as 10 allow the
boat in which Mr.. Oliver was. 10
pass between heran the brig. When
within pistol SHOT of the brig. anal
absut Quarterofa mile from Spec.
tacle Island, the privateer commence
ed sirins upon the boats, which was
Immediately followed by a general
discharge from the brig. i'll which
were now ten OF the priyatcer's men.
The people in the boat seized their
muskets. which until this moment.
had been concealed in the bottom OF
the boats by Jackets. &c. thrown over
them. and returned the fire. After
another volley OctwO from the brig.
those in the boats succeeded in tax
ing possession ether, and were sail
ing up to town TO place her in charge
sf proper authority wien they were
brought too nv the Fort and ordered
TO anchor. b. ihis time the priva-
tecr had made off abcut a mile and
a half. but b. well directed shot
from the fort was compelled 70 re-
turn and anchor under the guns.
Nessrs. Co0lid.." and Oliver re-
turned 20 town aud the next morning
were arrested ut The charge CT 3en-
rs White. .Jr. OF Salem, one o; the
owners OF the priyatcer Castisai"r.
aud after an examination before the
District Judge were recognised Oh
"Wednesday in the sum Of two thor
thousand dollars each. to aDnear at
the Circuit Court to be holden in
October next.
On the same day complaint was
lodged against the captain and crew
of the Castiga;Or, who were arrest
ed and carried before justices Swif,
ard Parker for examination. to an
swer. 20 the charge of an assault
With an intent TO kill those in the
boats. TIE examination was CONT
nued untilevenins when Mr.. Sprague.
Mr.. Cummings and Nlr. Pitman. all
OF Salem, aud counsel for the priva-
teersmen. wishing further time. the
justices at their request, adjourned
the court 10 yesterday afternoon
no one Offering 20 bali the crew. they
were committed tojail for safe keep
ing.
The examination was completed
yesterday, when the accused we've
hound over for trial at the Supreme
Court. The Captain and prize -.as-
ter were recognized in 1000 dollars
each, and the seamea in 100 each.
IL is reported the privatecrsmen
have been guilty of excuses at soHe
-Islaad in the lower harbor.