Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-05-11

The following narrative, from 'e''e'
written BY capt. DUNCAN. viii explain
how gratefully ard humanely he was trea. .
ted BY tile very people whose lives ana
prope. ty he preserved at the risk OF h''
own.
at was my unhappy lot to be in 10 !,
Guayra at the embarkation on the lStn
and 9Th of February. / was anxious
from motives. of humanity, to ASSIST as
much as was in my power, the distressed
inhabitants. Early on the 18th. was
reonested bv Mr.. Frederick LEW, mer
chant of Curacao. some time resident at
Caracas. to assist him with nv boat t"
take on board his property, consisting o,
several trunks which l readily complied
with. and by great exertion effected. The
surf was unusually high, and we were
compelled to heave the trunks into the
boat, frequently at great distance some
of them were consequently broken, and
in this manner put ON board the Eliza
William, under my command. More ei'
fectually to secure them, I took all my
men, except two and the mate, into the
boat, and attended myself to facilitate
the emharka,ion. Such unlimited con-
fdence did I repose in nv steward, that
| confided those articles to his charge
when on board.
On the Goth the alarm subsidized, and
the inhabitants disembarked.
Mr.. Leny requested me to IRELAND his
trunks. Immediately complied without
suspecting thst any property had been
taken out OF them.
Nothing further occurred until March
9TH when, about to leave the port, and
every prepa alton making to expedite my
departure, my vessel was taken posses
sion of by tie authority Of the colnman
dant of La Guayra.
Mr. Leny had, during the embarkation,
put on board, without my consent, the
baggage of a colonel in the Spanish ar.
nv, one Of whose trunks vas broken by
the violence of throwing into the boat,
containing, with his clothes,
Plate, value S400
Doubloons 224
Mackakena of the country go
This temptation was too great an in
ducement for my stewards honesty; who,
with the seamen on board, took this a.
noun, from the trunks.
This robbery was discovered inwedi-
ately alter the trunks arrived on shore /;
yet, astonishing to relate, nothing was
permitted to transpire relative to the cir
cumstances, until was about to leave
the port. They took this advantage, well
aware that, however unjust their procee.
ding, at that time 1 would be compelled
to pay the amount, or commence suit
where the injustice Of judicial decisions
is proverbial (; and, even il not adjudged
to pay the amount, The detention would
he more injurious to me and the owners.
This is ths manner in which I was tr' at.
ed, after stratum z every nerve to serve
them. and without any pecuniary motives.
1t is true they offered payment, which !
refused; and, SO help me Heaven, never
did, Nor would receive from them one
farthing, although I destroyed boat va.
lued at 500. But TO return: On the
4th my vessel was seized, searched, end
in the possession of my steward was
found the plate and doubioors; nothing
then remained unturned to discover the
remainder Of my property-bat to no ef-
feet. Izave the steward ard all concern
ed up to the authority, and requested
permission to proceed on the voyage -
This was refused the without paying the
following amount:
Mackakena $500
The bottom of q candIesGck,
silver so
Silver Corkscrew 60
Razor c.. = broken open, without
any injury except The hasp 40
$50
with all charges attending the process
This unjust charge ! refused to comply
with. and was tauntingIy ordered to pay
the amount. or remain with them.
Mr. l.eny, possessing influence suf1i-
Gent to have relieved me, was caIm
spectator Of this unjust proceeding, with
out interPOsing his power 10 relieve me
from the payment, or from the cruel i'm
putation Of being myself a partner in
the transaction: and, when ] expostul;.
ted with the commandant, was ordered
from his p essence.
Had they nave done me justice, they
would when they discovered the robbie.
~, Immediately informed me, the ar,i-
rtao ,.o,,tl H.. io.a k.~., Al