Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-10-29
MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.

MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR.
We yesterday announced the arrival of
a brig in distress at Curacao, said to be
called the Henry, and having 50 passen.
gers on board. Today we have received
the following, which is more explicit, yet
much mystery still seems to hang over the
transaction, which We presume a little
time will explain.
Curacao. Sept e6.
"Arived here on the goth inst. the
Dutch brig Eendracht, Sistare, of 16guns,
with 100 passengers. principally officers,
under the command Of Gen. Henry Will
liam Decondray Holstein. formerly com
mander of the fortresses of Boca Chics,
destined to revolutionize the island of Por-
to Rico She sailed from St. Barts on the
18th, in company with two transports, but
on the night of the l4th separated from
them and sprung aleak. which compelled
the captain to throw over all his guns and
bear away for this port, she making three
feet water an hour. On her arrival here
the commander Of Spanish frigate hav-
ing ascertained the nature OF the expedi-
ton, demanded of the governor that, in
justice to his nation, an enquiry should be
made so as to find DOT the legality Of their
proceedings, and in case OF their illegal-
ty, to con6scate the vessel and cargo: in
consequence of which demand, the Cen
eral in chief was arrested, and the captain
is now attending trial for the protection OF
the vessel and cargo, which promises, as
far as the Fiscal Marine court have yet
proceeded, 10 terminate in his favor, he
endeavoriDg to prove the vessel mer-.
chairman, and cargo American property.
=" The sensasion occasioned by the arri-
val Of the Eendracht was very coDsideSa-
BILE, and the conduct of captain Sis,are, on
endeav oring 10 save the vessel and cargo,
with his unremitted attention to that ef-
feet, have made him the subject Of fire.
quent conversation among the inhabitants.
The appearance Of so many military look
ing men among them during time oil pro-
found peace, induces them to keep much
on their guard, for the most OF the gentle
men who accompanied the expedition have
been in the North and South American ar
mics, the latter with Nina.
The day previous to her arrival the
general officers persisted in her prosecu-
TING her voyage as far as LaguIIa, instead
of this place, notwithstanding her leaky
condition, the general offering the captain
$4,000 il he would comply with their
request but owing to their arbitrary and
unwarrantabs conduct, IN wishing to fire
into an American vessel in order TO CON-
pei her to take on board part of the pas
sengers. reused the indignation of the cap
tain, who seeing that the expedition had
failed in its grand object, the attainment
- foIr cfo fpp
and placed the vessel and cargo in the
bands Of the American Consul for protec-
ton.
1.-The American officers here cordially
united in rendering their thanks to captain
Sistare for his mastery and seamanlike
conduct during the voyage. and The atten-
tion be bias paid 10 their uncomfortable 81.
tuation since their arrival"
TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA
The London Courier of the l4th ult.
contains the petition of a merchant ira
ding with the ports in the Republic OF CO.
lombia to the Lords of the Admiralty,
praying that they would, as far az was con.
sistent with their powers, protect that por-
ton OF their commerce. In the course Of
his remarks be makes use of the following
arguments in support of his request.
That the idea OF regular and estab-
lished commerce direct to the main land,
enabling Manufacturers and merchants to a.
void the expenses of intermediate ports,
prevents shipments to Jamaica.
That the shipments to the main land
are prevented by insecurity for our ships a.
rising from the extensive depredations
committed by pirates in the western seas.
That besides the spoilation of property,
the atrocious barbarities committed on un-
armed and helpless individuals are 50
frightful as to create alarm, and prevent
men from undertaking the voyage.