The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-12-27
WAsriscsos CRY, Dlt. -, isis.
SEOUL OF COM. POR1ER'S FXPE-
IA4si.I1ANf ~ a liz SNIf.rif SL II.

We afe indcbio 10 the poiiteDess oil cre OF
the ,fijre's of The goyciDmeD, Tor copy OF
the following letter, addressed by Capt GAn-
nLE (of The Marinss) 10 Com. PoRTER, cn
The return OF The former 10 The United States,
in August last. Captsin Gamble, (he rea-
de- viii rccollsrD was left by Commodo
Porter with few men, in charge of TWO or
three vessels and some public properly, when
he sailed loin Madison Island FOR Valparaiso,
previous 10 his cvcr-meIporabe battle OF the
E.sex. The following ietter comprizes all
the subsequent occurrences;
Cofy era ietser from Cei..air Gamble 10 Com
niodere Porter
.Ner.To-k, august so. 1915.
SIR--Wi.h regret have 10 inform you,
the frigae had noi got clear of the Marques,
before we discovered in the natives a hostile
disposition towarGs us, who in few days be-
came so insolsnt, that found it absolutely
necessary, not OMIT for the security Of the
ships and property On shore, bui for our per-
sopal safer, 10 land my men and regain by
force Of arms the many things they had, in
the most daring manner, stolen FROM The CO.
campment and what was Of still greater i'm
portAncc, 10 prevent, If possible, their potng
threats into execution which might have been
attended with the mos, serious consequences
on our part, frop' duty requiring my men 10
be TO much separated.
/, however, had the satisfaction to accom-
ahsh my wish without firing musket, aud
i1om that time lived in the mos, perfect ami.
~ with them, until The 7ih May following
when my distressed situation placed me in
their power.
F'~~. Before mentioned the lamcn,able events
OF thst day, and the two succeeding ones, I
shall give yon briel eccount Of q few prece.
ding occurrences, which were sources of
grcai uncasiOess TO me. The first vas tho
death o. John Wetter (marine) who was un-
fortunately drowned in the surf, on the aher-
noon OF The 2s,h February, and the deser,ion
OF Tour men. They took the pdvantsge of .
dsiA night, aud iet the bay uDobscrved by any
person, oil excepting one IA pisoDer) having
tho watch on deck. They took with them
several muskets, supply Of ammunition, and
many articles Of but little value. My at
tempt 10 persue thtn was prevented by their
destroying partially the only boat (ncar the
beach) al that lime sea worthy,
On the l2th April began 10 rig the ships
Seiiagapaiam and SIR Andrew Ham mor,A,
which, as l. fescu!atCd, employed the men un.
III the ist OF May. All hands were then en-
gagged IN getIiDg the remainder OF the proper
~ from Greenwich 10 The Sering apatan, as I
besan to despair Of your rejoiring me at that
place.
The work went on well, and the men were
obedient to my orders, though discovered
an evident change in their countenanccs which
led me 10 suppose there was something wrong
IN agitation acd under that impression had all
The muskets, ANN uni,iop, and small arms Of
every description, TO The Greenwich, (thc
ship nved on board OF from the other ships,
as necessary precau,ion against surprise
from my own men.
On the 9Th May, while on board the Ser.
ibgapaam, on duy which required my being
present, mutiny took place, 10 which was
wounded, and the mulineers succeeded in
getting the Se,iogapa,am out Of the bay
Two days after, when making the necessary
preparations to depart for Valparaiso, we
wefe attacked by the ssvsges, and have, with
the deepest regret TO inform YOU sir, mid.
midshipmen William Fclters, John Thomas,
Thomas Gibbs, aud William Bs0pinel, were
massacred, and Peter Coudengtcn (marine)
dangerously wounded. After bending The lib
and spspkcr, we cut our moorngs, and for
tanalely'hsd light breeze that carried the
ship clear Of the bay with six cartridges re-
Dsinlns out Of the only barrel left Us by the
mutiOeers.
Alter getting on, OF the bay, we found our
situation most distressing. In attempting 10
run the boat up, 1t broke in two parts, and
We were compelled TO cut away from tho
bows the only snchor, not being able 10 cat it,
We mustered altogether 8 souls, out of which
there was one cripple, one dangerously woun-
ded, one s,ck, one just recovering I'm tho
scuIvy, and myself confined TO the bed with
high lever, produced by my wound.
In that state, destitute Of charts, and almost
of every means OF navigating the ship reach
ed the Sandwich Islands, after passage Of
seventeen days, end suffering much from ia,
ugue and harshids. | was there unfortunate
ly captured By the English ship Cherub, 10.
maiOed q piisoper on board of bcr seven
months, during which tine my men were
treated in q most shameful mannar-Ye IL