Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-10-24

Ii has been said that the rag OF the Z,
states itself has been pro iituted to the
base purpose of carrying IN such an il.
|licit and unauthorized intercourse-Nay
|fhis very schooner, Firebr4nd, has late|yy
made several voyages 10 Bsquilla de ri.
|,Ira, conveying arms and ammunition 10
1.-The Mexican insurgents, and has convoy.
ed an expedition Of desperate adventures
Iron N. Orleans to the same port, These
things are said not only to have happen.
led. but to be well known to both the off,
Icers Of our government e those Of Spain.
We cannot at present, ycuch with Ger.
|tainly for these facts but eur inlorma.
ltion is such as induces US to hesitate the
lpropriety of being " fred with the inds.
Ination," which some Of our respected
friends seem disposed to kindle, untlve
shall be able to obtain clearer view CT
the whole ground"
There is something in the style Of The
paragraphs which have appeasd il tie
NATIONAL Intelligenceritseit upon this sub.
lject, that strongly corroborates the iLfr,
lnation which we have received. liz that
paper on the 18th, in paragraph upon
1.-The incorporate proceedings Of public
meeting at N. Orleans, it's sad !; at
would be uncandid, il n1t apIlst, in Us
to omit stating, at the same time we pub
llish these proceedings, that wc have pr.
lvate information from New Orleans, hat
There were circumstance attending this
transaction, which serve to paIIiate lis
aDparent enormity." But note well tAe
following passage from the same editorial
larticle in the Intelligencet:-'' lY there
ARE circumstances not genefrily under.
stood in the case; Ir the Fireoiaml vas
Imany leagues westward Of y Odeans, on
1.-The Spanish coast, in company with
vessel in plain English conveying her
loaded with munitions Of war from New
lOrleans, destined for Mexican reyoIa-
Itionary province, Ii one of the most emf
lnent barristers of New Orleans was on
board the vessel (the General JACKSON
thus in company with the Firebrand, as
Ia supercargo"! IF-IF-iF-and so on,
It'll we come to the conclusion" the
case is certainly altered, and is involved
lin some perplexity, which it requires time
and evidence to diseutang'e. Now
strip this Of all the hypothesis and all the
hypocrisy in which it is enveloped, and
what remains, but plain concession on
the part OF the cabinet paper, that YES
sci bearing the commission and the Flag
of the United States, was, as we have be-
fore intimated, caught upon the Spanish
coast in the very act of ccnvoying g an
eminent barrister supercargo," forcibly
conveying, by the arms of the U. States.
TO revolted province, munitions of war
intended to be used for the subyersicn
of the Spanish authority Pa vessel too,
which was we'll known to the Spaniards
Ito have repeatedly tresspassed in the
same way before.
Perhaps the Inteligencer may heteaf.
ter obtain information q! another vessel
of the United States, which made her way
into Vera Crux, in violation OF the laws
of Spain, which prohibit any foreign yes
sci from approaching the ports 81 Mexico
and Peru under the pretence of inqulrlns
for the Privateer Mitchell! and that sha
was we'll treated by the SPaniards, who,
not aware Of the insidious object Of her
visit. conducted towards her with IL
|berality. and generosity which she was
little entitled to expect under those CIT
'cumstances.
The letter from st. Louis of the 9Th
|Septembelg giving the mpst circnmstan'ial
Idetail which we have received .! the 81
flair of the Firebrand, was evidently wrt-
Item under the excitement. oi coasidaraOe
temper. and should therefore be taken
with some allowance. Passing over his
angry ADD abusive expressions. and io!'
lowing him in the leading facts OF his mar
rative, we might adop the Hypothetical
manner of the inteliigencer and say
If the Firehrand, foreign ship CT war,
was deserted by tae Spanish cfuiSefs'
within the waters OF Vera Cruz II they
mate Tor her, WIZ the InIehLibh vi 'oo'c-
motoring and seareh:n2 her, il necessary
to ascertain whether she was ote OF those
insurgent priyateers or pirates witch a'e
we'll known to make frequent use OF the
flag Of the United States; i, they ordered
her to send a boat on board. a. they
were we'll entitled to de-. IL consideration
OF tkeir greatly suPev.9r force; i tlsy
ired only when She refused to cer'i,'y
with the demand. and attempted to make.
her escape, which would naturally in
crease their suspicion 0! her being a nl-
rate /; and if as 500 as they found her
TO be realy an Anne c u, tiey released
her, refusing toreaeiv CAPT. Cunning
hams swosd, or to consider her as a