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


uIt. They contain Madrid dates to the
9TH February.
War between France and Spain APP
pears to have been pretty confidently an
ticipated at Havana, and fears we're en-
tertained for the safety of the persons
and property Of Frenchmen, in that e.
vent. The new Governor General Of
Cuba was momently and anxiously ex
pected from Spain; whose arrival, it
was calculated, would tend to strength
en- the hands of the colonial govern
ment.
The inhabitants of Cuba are warmly
in favor of the Cortes, in their antici-
pated crusade against Old Spain.
The latest Havana papers, contain
some severe structures on the POpe's
political conduct, with respect to the
disaffected party, called the Army Of
Faith.
The Government of Spain has quail :
fled the broad blockade declared by Gen.
eral Morales, on all the coast of the
Main, by limiting it to the introduction
of implements of war, and Of military
characters.
The Emperor Of Mexico appears dis
posed to conciiate, by peaceful means
the opposition lately arrayed against
him; but no decision is yet known to
have taken place.
Some extracts ofletters, which follow,
speak of the feverish state of the public
mind at Havana, and of the increase of
piracies in the waters of Cuba.
HAVANA, March Gave are a J..
gain agitated by piracies and horrid
murders on the neighboring coast. These
extraordinary excesses, must produce
extraordinary measures. Large parcels
ofplundered property have been found
in some stores in Matanzas. Several
German and French vessels have been
recently stripped of their cargoes, and a
French vessel is said to have just arrived
under similar fate. Our trade is evil
IDENTIFY suffering, and fear by -and-bye
we shall not be allowed to ship our pro-
duce.
'Flour is scarce-none now in first
hands; and if none arrives during the
ensuing week, it perhaps will go up to
20 or S25. Coffee sells generally at / 6
and $3.50 %. very prime, sold yes
terday at $40. Sugars were going on
briskly, but the Spanish merchants, who
were the greatest purchasers, are panic
struck
"March 24.--This is a critical mo.
ment in Havana.-Thousands were on
the Quay just now, under the impres.
sion that the new Captain-General had
arrived, as by the last accounts he was
at Corrunna, ready to embark. The
ship which was mistaken, is ship of
war, last from Porto Rico. The latest
accounts from Spain, confirm the idea
of war between that country & France"
Courier.
FROM CUBA-We learn with much
concern, by letters from Havana and
Matanzas, that the northern coast of Gu
ba is again infested, worst than ever, by
the pirates; who seem resolved to avail
themselves of Com. PoRrER's absence,
and "to make hay whilst the sun shines"
Amongst the captures made, a cores.
pendent states the French ship Con.
stance. from Bordeaux. taken in the
Old Bahama Channel, her whole cargo
taken out, and the passengers, whe were
numerous, much abused. She must have
been taken about the 2Sth Feb. An A
merican brig was also plundered of all
her cargo. Both these vessels had sub
sequently arrived at Havana A Dutch
brig, an American hermaprodite, and a
British schooner, taken about the be-
ginning of March, and carried into Lii
guapa Bay, within 40 miles of Matan-
zas; the crew and passengers still de-
tanned when the Argo (arrived here on
Saturday, left, and much apprehension
was entertained respecting their fate, as
they must have seen, and might conse-
quently give information respecting the
connexions of those people with their
friends on shore. Our informant further
states, that the valuable cargo Of the
Dutch brig Minerva, capt. Schakel, from
Amsterdam, estimated at $4,000, was
sold to persons residing in Matanzas
whose names we do not give at pres
ent, as he adds that the matter was like
ly to undergo an investigation in con-
sequence of some of the goods having
been seized. 1t is curious fact, he
says, that so early as the 10th March, a
deposition, upon oath, was made by
person before the Governor, of the cir
cumstances respecting the three vessels
at Liguapa, but no other step was ia
ken in the business, than sending an ex-
press to Havana-ib.