Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-04-24

TO make the following extracts. Ga
readers will be enabled TO form som,
idea of the perilous and arduous servic,
which the squadron has to encounter
and at the same time they will be graft
fed to learn that these duties have beer
performed with all the alacrity and at
tention which belong to the character
OF the gallant Commodore, his officers
and men, ah. .amer.
~. s. Ship Peacock,
.Haian<as .uarch aSth, 1928
The fifteenth day after leaving the
Capes 1T Virginia, the squadron arrived
at 81. Thomas, aud hearing of some Por
to Rico Privateers on tie south side o!
the Island, the SHARE and three schoon.
ers were despatched an hour after they
anchored, and the next morning proceed
ed with the rest of the squadron for St.
Johns (P. II to call on the government
for cooperation, oountenance, and sup.
port, in our operations, and for infor
nation to enable the squadron to know
and respect the regular cruisers. A let +.
ter to this effect was sent in by one Of
the vessels Of the squadron, which went
in little before the British squadron.
with whom the Commodore had previous.
ly communicated. She was directed to
wait two days for tie Captain Generals
answer. On the second day, as we in
tended to bear away for the west end OF
the Island for water. another schooner
was sent to apprise the commander of
the first to that effect, and on approach
ing the batteries they opened their fer
on her, and the fourth shot killed her
commander, Lieut.. Com. Cocks.
The outrage, no doubt, will be represent
ed in its true colours to our government,
and nothing can or ought to satisfy it bu.
the punishment Of the officer who gave
the order, which was to sink the SQUAD
ron il it attempted to enter the port
Nothing can justify their conduct. and il
is in vain for them to say that they did
not know the true character of the vessel.
Finding the vessels did not reioin the
squadron as soon as was expected, we
repaired to the west end of the Island,
and went iao Aquadilla, where in few
days the whole squadron was concen.
trated, Those which went down the
south side boarded several cruisers of the
Patriot and Spanish service. all of which
were ot good character, and produced
certificates from American captains, OF
good conduct.
The squadron was now divided into 4
parts, two Of which were sent down the
south sides Of SAINT Domingo and Cuba,
and two on the north sides, 10 scopr the
coasi, and rendezvous at Thompson's
Island. The Peacock and two schooners
formed one division, and left no hold or
corner unsearched, but thus far without
success. For a week past and more, all
the boats and most Of the crew Of the
Peacock, (having barely sufficient to
work the ship in the most dangerous ma
vigation in the world, the old Straits OF
Bahama, have been engaged with the
two schooners in examining the keys and
coast forthem about three hundred miles
to the windward OF this place, and join.
ed the Peacock the day after her arrival
at Mantanzas
Several vessels and parties Of suspi.
cious character have been fallen in with,
but how they are ever to be known as
pirates. except they are caught in the
act, it is impossible to say. Ii all we're
apprehended that are suspicious, every
coasting vessel about the island would
be stopped, as there is good reason to
believe they are all concerned. They
are one day drogers, the next wood cut
ters, salt gatherers, or fishermen, as
best suits them; and every Spaniard be
ing armed with knife, they require nc
other weapon in their mode of warfare.
The most horrid atrocities committed
by them have come to our ears. Whole
ships crews have been indiscriminateIy
murdered. A Dutch vessel was, a few
days before our arrival, burnt in bay
to the wlndward of this, with all hel
crew. Several vessels had been taken
by them. but not soul is left to tell
their fate.
On our arrival, we found hect of A.
merican merchantmen waiting for con
voy some had been ready for twenty
| days, and not vessel of war in the
coast toprotect them The consequence
Is, that we are now delayed here to give
the commerce that protection to which j
has right. Part OF the force which wa,
intended solely for the pursuit and DIES
truction ofpirates will have to be EN-
ployed in conveying our merchant YES
sells.
Four piratical vessels have been moor
ed in a bay called Sesuassa, watchin!
for the American fleet; but az soon al
they heard of our arrival, they disarm