Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-18


with interest. The letter was not written for
the public eye, we know but, in giving it
publicity, we consider ourselves as performing
an actof justice to Com. Porter himself, though,
in doing II, we run the risk of displeasing that
gallant and estimable officer. MAT Int
Extract 81 a letter from Com. Porter TO a friend.
Sea Gull, June IL, 1928.
Although have no news of any conse-
ouence TO give you, could find much To say il
could find time to say it in (; but my move
ments rather keep ahead of my pen. BY the
Pilot, (just arrived from La Vera Cruz, where
had sent her with despatch for the Captain
of the Peacock, now there, and with good
prospects foo,) our friend Thornton goes home
for short time, and To him must refer you
for great many particulars and existing ar
rangements. keep every one very busy
and although the service has been severe, and
some are very sick of il, have good reasons
for believing that all who leave my command
will do 1t with desire to return TO il when
ever their services may be wanted. The fact is
that the disappearance of all the Pirates, and
our want of success in catching the rascals, is
somewhat dscOuraging to us hut all are
satisfied that our failure was owing To other
causes than want of eXertion on our part
The fact is, our enemy is an invisible one he
has only to throw on the fairy mantle of a
with, and the pirate is completely concealed
from our view.
Piracyis now down on this side the Island,
and hope soon To give as good an account of
the other side. A Pirate has, however, APP
peared there, and made two captures lately
but the most of the pack. the Grey hound, the
Terrier, Ferret Weazel, Fox, and two Barges,
are in full pursuit; if he escapes, he must have
good luck
There has not been single act OF piracy
committed here since came on the coast, and
the above is the only one can hear of on the
south side, which we have left pretty much
to the British.
"The importance of this station Key Westl
appears daily more and more manifest to me,
AMI in my opinion, it is Of but little conse-
auence who possesses Cuba, five keep force
here; for we have the complete command of
the Gulf of Mexico, all the commerce of
which, as well as that from Jamaica and Cuba
Is completely at our mercy.
1t is almost incredible, the number of YES.
sells that daily pass aud repass, and il is won
derful, considering the strong temptation, that
piracy existed in no greater degree than it did
Those to New Orleans pass very near
this Island, and we have almost daily inter
course with them. had no conception my
self of the extent of our trade in this quarter,
that this is the proper place from whence TO
give itprotecion. The government has made
small experiment, sufficient to prove the
utility of an establishment here. and the
country would act unwIsrlv To- abandon it
The place ought to be well fortified of which
it is very susceptible, and a respectable force,
chiefly naval, should always be kept stationed
here. There would thea he nothing to be APP
pretended from pirates, or any other aggres-
sOrs on our commerce or flag.
Ii Is To this what Gibraltar il To the
Mediterranean; and the one th0usandth part
fthe money that has been expended on the
one, would make the other all,ahat could be
desired.
do not know exactly when shall visit
home but hope TO do so in about two months
l shall send the small vessels home at regu-
lar periods, To return 10 the station immedi-
ately. This do To give the officers an op-
portunity OF obtaining relief One will leave
here on the leth, and un the cd aud 10th of
every month hereafter shall despatch one of
them" 10.
New YORK, July 9.-The U. S. schooner
SHARK, Lieut.. CONT. ". c. Perry, arrived at
this port last evening from crui8e, last from
Th0mpson's Island, having touched off Hava
ma days since, and conveyed clear of the
Cuba Coast brig Moro, of Portland, bound
To Bremen. Spoke, off hey Metacombe, ship
Seine, Williams, from N. Orleans for Europe,
and received on board VIM. Smith, H muilneer.
Left at Thompson's Island, the Sea Gull,
Hornet, and Ferret all well; also the brig
Z Harmony, of N. York. The Grampus sailed
from Havana Goth ut. for Thompson's Island,
aIIwelI. The Wild Cat was to take convoy
Il from Havana on the ist inst.
detachment of schouners and bar ges, I'M
der the command 1t. Com. Watson, had been
absent from Thompson's Island some weeks,
securing the coast Of Cuba. The Greyhound,
Lieut.. kearney, and Beagle, Lieut.. Newton,
We're also cruzinS on the coast of Caba. The
Terrier, Lieut.. Rose, was at Key Vacas. The
Peacock was ia the Gulf of Mexico The
officers and crews of these vessels were all well
when last heard from
The following officers are on board the
shark. Capt. NJ. G.. Perry, Lieuts. w. F
Shields and Chas. EIlery Sailing master
Shubrick, purser j. b. Timberlake-S Surgeon
>: ). Wiley Midshipmen Anthem Lewis
Saml +. Hazard, Alex. Gibson, Amasa Paine
ana VIM. j. Slidell-master, j. NJ. Breese
eapts clerk Thomas ACKNOWLEDGMENT VIM
Lhappel-gunner Charles Falls-carpenteI
'ohD Deacon sailmaktr, j Steady-purser'!
steward, John Phemmun. The officers and
crew are all well.
FROM HAVANA.
by the brig Aspasa, Capt. Everett, in 1C
Vays from Havana, we have received a paper
4Ithe 23th ofJune, which contains dates from
vera Cruz, of the alst of May. The province
u Guadalaxara has declared herself free ant
independent of all the other provinces Of Anne
IGa In proclamation Of % articles. She vii
IOid no relations except exterior ones with tho
T'her provinces, and recognize nothing which
we deputies in the present congress may dc
.oh'rary to this. II is proposed in that ducu
ntnt To nafahIiah "a r,nrnnf,,.I rnntrnI rnnmrna,