The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-12-13

idleiy hldue ny ule Scllf. Alligator, ana oil
the death of her brave commander, We CO.
,py from the Charleston Courier:
Captain Mayo of the brig Iris, of Bos-
ion, arrived here yesterday, and who was
captured by pirates on his passage from
Boston to New Orleans, furnishing us with
the following highly interesting informa-
ton -
DECLARATION
y Freeman Mayo, master Qfthe brig Iris,
Of Boston.
.Norember AT sun rise, saw the Pan
of Matanzas bearing S. w. by w. about
30 miles distance, steering west wind from
n. +. At \. NJ. saw schrs. steering out
from the Iand'to the NV; hauled on the
wind to the Northward, found they come
up fast, with sweeps out and decks full Of
men: one Of them, with Buenos Ayrean
colors, fired two 10 pound shot over me,
then hove to, they boarded me with G
men, armed with pistols, cutlasses and
long knives, fred one pistol oyer'nly head
IN boarding, drove every man below, and
attempted 'tatack chip, but could not work
the brig themselves, and ordered Que half
of the crew on deck at time stood in
acknowledged themselves pirates, and be-
gan searching for every thing valuable,
putting my best clothes on. Al sun set
let go the best bower anchor, in q fathoms
water, within quarter of mile of the
beach. they thea drove me with all my
crew into the fore castle, barred us down
and strictly guarded us, without any thing
10 eat or drink, had no idea we should
survive till morning for want Of air At
midnight ordered me into the cabin, where
they treated me in the mosthorrid manner,
beat me with their pistols, choaked me,
threatening me with instant death, &c.
then ordered me back into the fore castle,
and called up the cook and boy and sport
ed with them in the like manner.
Nor. 5th.-At day light they cut the ca
bic and ordering me TO make sail beat
down the coast all day long. At Up NJ
run in between Stone Key and Point Yea
Goa; came TO anchor about miles above
the Key up the bay the S. E. That night
we had all the pirates aboard passing all
night, and robbed me and all my crew
ofcvery article of clothing, money, watch
es, sc.
.Nop. GH.--Wcighcd anchor again, and
run about miles further up the bay to the
southwark, in co. with schr. Mary & Ell
IA, Captain Cole, from Salem, who they
captured same day with me. They uInn
commenced d1sclfargins our -cargocs. They
took from me 100 boxes axes, about 40
casks OF nails kedge anchor and haw-
scr, all my spare rigging unroNe some,
spare and purchase blocks, spun yam,
worming, &c. also, two stndding sails two
compasscs, most of the cabin stores, about
800 lbs. of bread, &c. sc. At p. ". the
captain of the pirates came aboard, aud OF
dered his crew, if they did not find more
money in one hour to murder every one
0f us, and burn the vessel. begged for
the long boat and some bread and water,
To proceed to the Florida Coast. He said
no, | would send an American man
of'war to detect him he did not mean
to spare one of US. One Of the pi
rates, more humane than the rest, beg
ged hard Tor my life. the .captain told him
to do his duty, or ne would take his life
Instantly. | then proposed TO go 10 Ma
tanzas, and get money to ransom cur lives
and the vessel he hesitated few minutes,
then said he would give me DAYS to go
aud return with $4,000, or he would burn
the brig aud every soul aboard he then
took me aboard of his pratical schooner.
Nor. M.--Carried mewithin six miles
of Matanzas and put me into boat. ar
rived in town at +. NJ. | called on the
GoveTnoC, he would not assist me the A
merican Merchants did not think proper
to rslse any money 10 treat with the pi-
rates the American masters then agreed
to music" force from their own crews,
so down and engage them. Capt. Wat
hins of the pilot boat schr Ploughboy, of
Phlladelphia offered his vessel and servi-
ices. We pitt aboard her one 10 FOUNDER,
% muskets, few pistols, cutlasses, &c.
and mustered about 80 men after getting
ready some begae to discourage the expe-
dition as not of sufficient force some ofthe
sailors began te drop off and finally gave it
up.
Nov. 8th.--I went ashore to consult what
tcould be done soon after landed | saw
| the L. :. schooner Alligator. coming into
the Bay: boarded her as soon as possi-
bic, and stated my situation to capt. Allen:
he was pleased to assist me and immedi
steiy about ship and stood out of the Bay.
captain Watkins in the PIoughboy, with a
lew American sailors, followed after the
Alligator.
Nov. sth.-Found ourselves directly Of
the entrance of the Bay, between Stone
hey and Point Yeacoa, with three Ameri-
can vessels, and one of the pirates in sight,
10 anchor the Americans proved TO be
the ship William and Henry, capt. Drew.
rom New York, for New Orleans the
brig Sarah Moril, of Boston for N. Orleans:
ana schr. Nancy and Mary, Capt. Moor,
from Boston for Pensacola, captured the
day previously We found the piratical
schooner to be making sail, and s1yeenng
up the Bay. Capt. Allen found il impos-
sos 10 overhaul him with the Alligator.