Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-05-08

4 some ct their comrades 10 the LcsT't
rom whence few ever returned. The
scanty ratians allowed th-m were some
rlnies kept back for two or three days, and
the appl Cations to Gen. Morillo, met with
no attention OH S&e contrary, It only scrv-
ed TO increase the abomlnab.e ai,s. afro.
cious conduct Of the officers and soldiers.
which has never been rqualled by that of
the Algerines.
On the i5,h Feb. we were TO be sent t.
Santa Martha for trial Mules were pre-
pared for the sick (abour one third of our
num6er) and escorted bv an ensign, two
sergeants and fifty men--We took up cur
march Of about 200 miles BY land, and two
days and one night through lakes and
creeks, TO reach our place of destination.
Frequently oil the march. when the men
could not keep up with these barbariaos,
who were all mounted on mules, they
would knock them down with their mus,
kcts; and three of these actually died with
fatigue. We reached Santa Martha on the
10th dav.
We were separated into two prisons,
and { strong guard placed over us, being
allowed one rial and hall for our subsis-
lance.
Du ing our St'y at s nta Martha, (whioh
was one month"; Admiral Douglass had
Inade several applications to Moutalc, the
Nice-Roy of Nueva.Grenada, for the &c
lease OF the Britith subjects.
On the 30th March, 1916, the British
Brig Forester, Captain Henry. arrive /,
with orders to demand their subjects. when
the crews were all given up, except Mas
tiers, Officers, Supercargoes anu Pa:sen-
gers, whom they positively refused to dell
YER. From this, we had re ason to suspect
something serious was intended against US
Accordingly, on the 4th of April, eleven of
the Masters, Officers, &c. OF the American
and british vessels. attempted to force the
guards, nine of whom succeeded in eeti g
down to the Forester's Boat, which was
waiting for their reception.
Unfortunately, J. Smith, Chief Mate of
the Aieline. in the attempt, was run thro'
the bo'y with bayonet and the soldiers
beat out his bra,ns with the bus ends of
their muskets. One other, British SUBJ
ject was wounded and taken back to the
prison.
The number of prisoners left at Santa
Martha, i'll close confinement, In the stocks
were II, viz Mr.. Coouer, SUPERB argo
of the Adeline, and three Of the crew !;
Captain Alfred Eastin, of ,h- schoos, r
Charles Stewart, of NewOrleans, has SUI
percargo. Mr.. Stunlev, and two of the sea
men the others B it SIN subjects.
The situation of Captain Eastin was pc
culary deporable, h having experienced
the most severe treatment from them. in
cons quence Of information being lodged
against him by Portuguese sailor, with
out foundation ton.) chat he intended to
make all attempt to cut his schooner out.
he was Immediately put in close coniine-
ment, and threatened that he should never
come out olive the execution CT which
threat was rendered doubly probable after
the escape OF the others
The conduct of Captain Henry, of the
Forester, surpasses all eulogy, and merits
our eternal gratitude he received the A
mericans as freely AS the British subjects,
and his humanity to them after they got on
board, vas conspicuous.
The narrative gwen above by Captain
Mathews, is. we think, we'll calculated to
excite the indignation IF every American,
who feels tenacious of his country's hsnor
and sympathises with those who are the
unfortunate victims Of Spanish barbarity
We hope our government will not lose a
moment in dema nC.ing the immediate re-
lease Of our Captive Countrymen, and the
most ample redress for the lawless and
brutal conduct of the Spanish Royals,s.-
Capt. Mathews states, that a ngle frigate
would be sufficient TO lay Santa Martha in
ashes. Surely, then, 40 time viii be lost
in sending out force Competent to chastise
their insoence, and eaforce a recogn ton
of our rights. Beacon.
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