Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-04-26
From the Richmond Enquirer.
FROM COM. PORTER'S SQUADRON
CORRESPONDENCE.

To HI. ercsllsncy ths Gou. Of Porto f'eo'
u. Snip Peacock, March 4. 1898.
Your ExcgLLENcY--i have the no.
nor to inform you. that in pursuance OF
orders from my government, nave "a.
len command of all the United States
naval forces in these seas, for the pro,
lection OF the commerce of the United
States against al; unlawful Interrupt
lion. to Guard the rights both of pro-
nsr,v and person Of our citizens when
ever it shall become necessary, and for
the suppression Of s'racy and the slave
trade.
great complaints have been made
of the interruption and injury to our
commerce by privateers fitted out from
Spanish ports, must beg your excel
leney to furnish me 3 descriptive list
of vessels legally commissioned to
cruise from Porto Rico, with set oil
the blank forms of their papers, that |
NAV know how and when to respect
them. if | should meet with any OF
them, must also beg your eHcellency
TO inform me how far they have been
instructed TO interrupt our trade with
Mexico and the Colombian Republic,
and whatever instructions or suthori-
ties they may have affecting our cen'|
nerce generally.
As the suppression of piracy, the
principal motive for my visit to these
seas, is an object that concerns all ma
,ions, (all being parties against Them
and may be considered as allies, } con-
fidently look to all for cooperation
whenever it msy be necessary, or at
least their favorable and friendly sup
mort. and to none more than those
,nost exposed to their depredatons.
[ therefore look with confidence to
YOUR exceilency for the aid of such
meaps as may be in your power for
their suppression; and in the absence
of hoeans, beg to assure your exeel-
lepcy that whatever course may be
pursued by me to destroy those enc.
mics of the human race. it will have no
other aim and shall observe the ut.
most caution not to encroach OF the
rights. or willingly offend the feelings
of others, either in substance or in
form, in all the measures which may
be adopted to accomplish the end IN
view.
1t will afford me- sincere pleasure
should be SO fortunate as to fulfill the
expectation of my government, aud at
the same time preserve harmony and
good understanding with those with
whom may be SO unfortunate as to
come in collision or discussion in reia.
ton thereto; indeed, it will add much
to my happiness if it can be avoided all
together.
That such is my sipcere wish, and
that the objects set forth by me are the
only ones which brought me TO these
seas, beg leave to Assure your excel
lency in the most positive and unsqui'
vocal terms.
With the highest respect, ] hav' the
honor to be your excsllepcy's very O.
bedient humble servant.
D. PORTER.
To has. ExesIlsney the Gou. of Porto R'co.
U. S. Snip Peacock. Agusds,
March s, 1928.
YoUS ExcELLENCY--On the Sd OF
this month j despatched from the
squadron under my commend, the U.
States schooner GREYHOUND, command
ed by capt John Porter, Of the United
States navy, who was the bearer of
letter from ma to your excellency,
written in strict conformity with in
structions which | had received from
my government, propounding certain
inquiries to enable your exceilsncy to
put me in possession of such informa-
tion as would place it in my power to
fulfil the benevolent Intentions of the
government Of the United States, with
out infringing on the rights of Spain
as belligerent.
The commsnder Of the Greyhound
was directed TO remain in St. Johns
two days for your excellency's answer
and then to Join mo off the port, or at
this place, where l proposed watering
the squadron under my command,
On the second day after his arrival
a. St. Johns. | directed the commander
of the United States schr. Fox to pro-
coed there with his vessel, to ascertain
what time il was probable your reply
would be obtained. with orders to re-
turn Immediately, and apprizc the
commander of the United States schr.
Beagle, another of my squadron, of my
intention to come to this place.
On the arrival Of the Fox within
gun shot of the castle. was much sur
prised to observe that 6 guns were fired
of -