Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-06-03

j he enlightened Cldss W the Coih'A unity
must feel tbe expediency OF moderation on
this point, although # any thing cou Id OBJ
yiate il, their tried talents and patriotism
would give US the best hope.-But it is
not the favored few OF any country, who
give solidily and tone to q government
Il ,s the general diffusion OF knowledge
and industry throughout alt ranks-trom
the President TO the peasant, from the en-
liqhtened merchant; to the humblest me-
chanic: but above all. it is from virtuous
and numerous peasantry, that a govern
ment derives its vigor and resOurces-its
def.nce in war, and wealth in peace
Th;. !, the true uaalieDable wealth OF
country. and the policy which overlooks it
will find no substitute Ior the error.
From, the american Sentinel.
Observing in your paper of yester-
day a communication taken from the
New York Commercial Advertiser,
May 20, headed americans in Prison
at Trinidad, request you to publish
the following: 1t is true that Lieut..
Baker was on board of the piratical
schooner, called tho Gaia, and made
his escape when that vessel was blown
up; after which he got to Batabano,
where Spaniard who had been pilot
on board of the Grecian, took compass
sion on Lieut.. Baker, in consequence
Of his destitute condition, and paid his
passage to Trinidad. On the passage
there, one of the passengers on board
tho vessel was robbed of twelve doub-
looms. From the conduct Of Lieuten-
ant Baker on his arrival at Trinidad,
he was suspected of being the robber,
and was taken before magistrate fer
examination, when nine doubloons were
found upon him, which, together with
the amount he had expended for clo-
thing, &c. since his arrival in Trinidad,
amounted to the twelve doubloons.
This proof, together with the strange
and inconsistent declarations which he
made, was the cause Of his being sent
to prison; 30 that he is not detained on
the charge Of piracy, although every
BODY in Trinidad suspected him to
have been of the crew of the Gaia but
for the robbery of the twelve doub-
looms. Lieut.. Baker made application
to Mr.. John II. Baker, an American
gentleman residing there. who always
has been ready and willing to assist
his own couDtrymen and foreigners &C.
nerously with his money and influence,
In a conversation afterwards with Mr..
John II. Baker, he assured me, that
from the private conversation he had
with Lieut.. Baker, and his subsequent
examination before the judge, in which
he acted as interpreter, he could cay
nothing in favor of the innocence of
lieut.. Baker.
From the conduct of Lieut.. Baker,
] should suppose that very little credit
should be given to his representations.
That tie Gaia committed great ma.
ny depredations and crueltiss, there
can be doubt, but that az sail OF YES
sells should have been burnt, and the
crews murdered, in the short period of
three months, on the South side of
Cuba, does not appear to me- to be
very probable.
With respect to Lieut.. Bakers as
sertion, that there are seventeen of
our eountrymen almost in state Of
starvation, now in prison with him, is
not all correct. These men be speaks
Of are English subjects, and belonged
to a privsteer or pirate fitted out Of Ja'
maica under false commission of Gen.
M'Gr egor. These men, so far from
having been treated with inhumanity,
have been treated with a culpable Gle
mency. During almost all tho time
they have been in Trinidad, they have
been kept at work Cat their own plea
sure paving the streets. for which they
get one quarter OF a dollar per day, be.
sides their Jail allowance. When not
employed at the streets, they have been
permitted to work in the Jail yard,
making straw hats, &c. and Whenever
they pleased ole of them could 60
out, with soldier to accompany him
for the purpose Of selling the hats, go.
ing to market, &c. and in consequence
of this indulgence. several of them
have made their escape, notwithstand.
ing which, tho indulgence was still con.
tinued 10 them, when lef, Trinidsd,
the latter end of the last month. These
men have frequently declared them.
selves English subjects, and asked the
Interference Of the different comman-
ders of English men of war that have
touched in at Trinidad. The further
observation also of Lieutenant Ba-
ker, that piracy 10 encouraged by the
officers in Trinidad. is entirely the con
I< h.,~ Nam ~~s;lioo eix