Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-12-24

''S l"SmocisCS w thC NHf '" 'hE SV'
ycrnment to return 10, or commence an
orderly and honest life, seem TO have re-
garded its indulgence a!nost as an en-
courasement to the renewal OF their Of
fences. You will readily perceive I al
lude TO the Barratarians, among whom
the Lahttes may BE- classed foremost, and
most actively engaged in the Galveston
trade, and owners Of several cruisers nm
der the Mexican flag. Many of orr citi-
2ens are equally guilty. and arc sniver-
sally known TO be owners OF the same
kind Of vessels. A number Of these cha
racters being at Galveston after the q
bandonment readily saw the advantages
that would result in the re-establishmens
Of a government at that place, its situa-
ton. so immedia ely in the vicinity Of our
settlements, being much preferable Ia
Matagorda, their views being entirely
confined to introducing their captures in
to thi, state; accordingly, meeting was
called on The 18th April, and it was re-
solved to re-estabsh the government,
and true copy Of their deliberations YOU
have enclosed, | can vouch for the cor
rectness OF the copy, having received it
from person of undoubteI veracity -
and thus, without even the sembiance OF
authority from the Mexican republic,
they Immediately proceeded to condemn
vessels and carsnes as coed prizes, and
to introduce them into this port, and a.
mong the rest the cargo Of tho Evening
Post. II was some tine before this was
known here, great pains having been
taken to keep it secret. Since it has
been known have felt it my duty to re-
port all vessels and cargoes which have
arrived here from Galveston to the dis
trict attorney, who has had them arrested
under the Spanish treaty; but owing to
the unfortunate absence of the Judge, no
decision can be had thereon. These
steps of the officers of the port have irri-
tated the Barbarian gentlemen and
their connexions in a high degree, and
representation filed with lalsehoods will
probably be made against them, particu-
larry on the score of enmity to the pa
trintic cause. AS we'll might a man be
accused OF being an enemy to personal
liberty, who arrests and confines robber,
as that the officers of the port Of New
Orleans should be accused of bcirg IN.
friendly 10 the revolution in the Spanish
provinces, because they have attempted
TO prevent lawless establishment at
Galv ston from violating the laws. The
prizes made by the privateers under the
Mexican flag aIe to very large amount
OF merchandise, such as iewcIry, laces.
silks, linen, bri'anias mUSlins. seersuck-
ers, calicoes, &c. &c. all Of which are re-
packed in small bales, Of convenient size
TO- transportation on mules, and tie
greatest part introduced c!andestinsly -
Oihcr articles, such as iron, nails, tallow,
leather. glassware, crockery, oordage,
beef, &c. are brought here in their prizes.
1t is stated. ard universally believed,
that captain Champlio sold the slaves
captured in the Patroni.la and Enrcqu:-
ia to the Laittes, Sauyine., and other
spectators in this place. who have or will
resell to the planters: and the facility
afforded to smUgglcrs by the innumerable
inlc;s are too obvious, on view OF the
map, to doubt but they either are or will
be all introduced into this state without
the possibility Of The officers Of the reve-
nue. being able to prevent or punish them
more especially as a great portion of the
population are disposed to countenance
them in violating our laws: A few days
ago information having been given that
one of our citizens had gone To the w.
with a very considerable sum in specie.
to purchase slaves for himself and two 0.
Their planters, determined to make an
effort to arrest him on his return, and i'm
mediately purchased fine boat on &C.
count Of the government, (Which had
been lately captured by a party | had
sent On lake Ponchartrain, end condemn
cd for q violation of che slave act) which
| have sent under the command oil ar ac-
five. cnterprisins inspecto-, with a mill
tary guard of twelve men, and am III
great hopes Of his falling in with and cap
turing the party. I am persuaded you
will approve Of my not waiting Tor in
structions, at the risk of seeing the laws
violated with IMMUNITY, and l canaot but
hope the government will see the neces.
sity OF giving instructions to the naval
force on this station to prevent the re-
establishment cf Galveston, otherwise the
bay will no longer be safe for any hag'-
Since they have been denied shelter in
pnrt-au-Prince, they have no other asy-
lum than Galveston. On the part OF these
pirates we have to contend with, we be