Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-04-15
"U S Ship Peacock


MATANzAs, March 18th, 1873.
The fifteenth day after leaving the
Capes OF Virginia, the squadron arrived at
st Thomas, and hearing OF some Porto
Rico priyateers on the south side OF The
island, the SHARK and three schooner.
were despatched an hour after they an
chored and the next morning proceeded
with the rest of the squadron for ST Johns
(P K to call on the government for CO.
operation, countenance and support, in
our operations and for information 70 epa.
bic the squadron 10 know and respect the
! regular cruiZers. A letter 10 this effect
was sent in by one Of the vessels Of the
squadron. which went in little before
British squadron, with whom the commo-
dore hsd previously communicated She
was directed % wait two days for the
Captain Generals answer. On the Sec
Ond day, as we intended to hear away Tor
the west end Of the island for water, ano-
Their schooner was sent TO apprlze the COM
rander OF the first 10 that effect, and on
approaching the batteries they opened
ther" bre I'll her, and the fourth shot Killed
Der commander. Lieut. Com, CsCkE -
| he outrage, 90 doubt, will be represents
ed ia it.. true Colouis to 90; government.
and nothing can or ought to satisfy ii but
the punishment, ct the ctncer who gave
the order, which was 10 sink the SQUADRON
if il attempted 10 enter the port Nothing
can ju~.ify their conduct, and il is 10 VAN
for Them 10 say they did no, know the true
cha acter Of the weasel.
Finding the vessels did uot rejoin the
squadron a. soon as was expected. we re-
pared to the ives; end OF the island and
went into Aquadilla, where in a few days
the whole squadron was concentrated
Those which went down the south side
boarded several cruisers of the PATRIOT and
Spanish service. all al Which were OF
good character, and produced certificates
from American captains OF good conduct.
The squadron was now divided into
four parts, two OF which were sent down
the south sides of st Domingo and Cubs,
and two on the north sides, 10 scour the
coast, and rendezvous al Ihompson's Is
land The Peacock end two >chooners
formed one division end letl no hole or
corner unsesrched. but thus far without
success. For week past md mors, all
the boats and most Of the crew OF the Pra.
cock, (havIng barely sufficient 10 work he
ship in the mOsi dangerous navigation IN
the world. the old Straigh,s of BahaTa)
have been engaged with the twO sCbOor-
ers in examining tbe keys and coast Tor a.
bout three hundred miles 10 the wndwaFd
Of this place, and joined the Peacock the
day after her arrival al MatanZss
Several vessels and parties Of supi-
cious character have been fallen in with,
bu boa The are ever 10 be lno n sps
rates, except they are caught ~ the act, It
is impossible to say II AL were appTs-
hended that are suspicious. every coasiIng
vessel about the Island would be stopped,
az there is gond reason to believe they are
all concerned They are one day dro.
gers the next wood cutters, sa!t-gathsre's
or fishermen, as best suits them and eve
~ SpanlaTC being armed with KNIFE,
they require 10 othe. weapon 10 their
mode OF warfare.
The most horrid Atrocities committed
by them have come 10 our ean-"hole
ships crews have been indscrlrnnaie'y
murdered. "A Dutch vessel was
few days before our arrival burnt IN a
bay to the windward of this, with aIl'her
crew Several vessels have been taken
by them but not soul is let 10 tell their
fate.
On our arrival We tcund fleet OF Anne
ricsn merchantmen waiting Tor convoy.
some had been ready for twenty days, and
not a vessel OF war ~ the coast 10 pro-
tect Them. The consequence Is that we
are now delayed here to give the CON-
merce that protection to which II mas a
right. Part OF lbe force which was in'en-
ded solely tor the pursuit and destruction
of pirates will have TO he employed I'D COL
voyrng our merchant vessels
-Four pratical vessels have been mooleu
in bay called Seguassa, watch'g LOT 'ns
American feet, bul as soon as they heafa
of our arrival, they disarn.d and d'speLt-
sed. Last evening We heard OF one "ttp
her prize TO leeward, and the scboOneHfs
and boats were dispatched after Them. we
shall soon know the tate OF the e1pedn'ou,'
which there is every reason 10 De'eN
will prove successful .-.,
We were surprised 10 hear on our arr''a'
that the Governor Of the Island bad gi'eu
orders to all the governors and comu'a".
dan,s OF districts, tnrb!dding our ent'aH.SS
into any of the ports. 1t ia to br noPen
we may have no difficulty with them p:s
if we do, the fault will not be on our slas'
T,I1D TIJrp DYTD iTTC