Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-08-07
FROM COM. PORTER'S SQUADRON
Copy of a letter from Commodore Porter
to the Secretary IF the Mary.
C,,l hIlanfnn

TO the Secretary gf the NdDy.
( Sea Gull, Attention,
! Thompson's Island, July IL, 1923.
J SIR-lt is With infinite satisfaction do
myself the bonor to lay before you, Lieut.
Commandant Watson's official report Of the
almost total ann'h lation of The crews of 9
piratical vessels, by the two barges CALI
, nipper and Mosquito, unde bis command.
mense superiority OF force opposed to him,
the advantage and preparation on the part
of The pirates, and the result OF the action,
we cannot but be impressed with the con.
viction, that nothing less than Providen.
tial influence and protection could have oc-
casoned consequences so fatal to the pi.
rates, and So exempt from injury on our
side, as to appear almost miraculous.
The five surviving pirates being despe-
rateIy wounded, have, in compliment 10
the favorable disposition and jealous CO.
operation Of the authorities OF Havana, sent
to the Captain General Of Cuba, 10 be tried
by the laws OF Spain Enclosed IS copy
of my letter to him on the subject.
/ cannot close this communication with
out expressing hope, that the brilliant
success of Lieut.. Com. Watson, and his
excellent character as an officer and man,
may induce the Department TO promote
him 10 higher grade, as the most suitable
reward for his services.
have the honor 10 be-, with great res
pect, your obedent servant,
D. PORTER.
Hon. Secretary of the Navy.
CAPTAIN WatSon'S Rrport.
u. 5. Galliot Sea Gull, Attention,
Thompsons Island, July IL, 1898.
SIR-HaviDg had the honor to report
The circumstances attending the cruIze of
the division under my orders, prior 10 our
separation off St. John de los Remedies,
| have now TO communicate, fer your in.
Formations, my subsequent proceedings in
the barges Gslllnipper and Mosquito.
Alter a strict examination of the coast
and islands, from Cayo Francis to Cayo
Blancu. in the vicinity OF Point Hycacos,
whilst cruizing in SIguapa Bay, We disco
vered large top. sail schnr. with launch
in company, working up TO an anchorage,
al which several merchant vessels were
lying. Being TO windward, bore up
with the GsllInipper, for the purpose of
asccrlainipg lheir characters. and when
within gun-shoi, perceivng the large yes
sci to be we'll armed, and her deck filled
with men, holsted our colors; on seeing
which, they displayed the Spanish flag,
and the schooner, having brailed Up her
fore-sail, commenced firing at the CALI.
nipper in,medialely kept away, and
ran down upon her weather quarter, max
ing signal at The same time for the Musqui.
to 10 close; having much the advantage in
sailing, they did not permit US 10 do so,
but made all sail before the wind, for the
village OF Siguapa, TO which place we pur.
sued them, and after short action, sue
ceeGed in taking both vessels, and effect.
ing the almost total destruction of their
crews, amounting, as nearly as couln be
ssccrtained al the time, TO SO or 60 men,
but, as we are since informed, TO 10 or
80. They engaged US without colors Of
any description, having bauled down the
Spanish flag after firing The first gun; and
on approaching to board, Jour men giving
three cheers, and discharging their mus
kets,) the pirates fed precipitstely, some
to their launch. dying in shore, from
whence Ere was still kept up,) whilst
others endeavored TO escape by swimming
to the land. A volley OF musketry, direcl-
ed at their launch. completed their di.or-
der. and drove them into The sea; but the
boats going rapidly through the water, cut
off their retreat, With the exception Of 6f
teen-eleven OF whom were either killed
or desperately wounded apd taken pri.
soners by our men, who landed in pursuit:
aud the remaining four apprebended by