The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-05-21

aounueu dnd eAaSSeFaiee reports OF Ti-
racy, would have made some report Of
us on their arrival The circumstance
of not hearing from US, ought to have
satisfied you we were doing our duty,
not spending our time in idlcness in port.
1t is not amongst civilized society that
pirates are 10 be found; it is among barren
and desolate islands, secret and retired
places, as far from the reach Of Justice
as they can get, that they make their
hannts-among the roaring Of breakers
and the screams Of the sea-bird- and
it is in such places we have sought the
freebooters and murderers, and sought
them in defiance Of every obstacle,
through the most intricate dangerous
navigation, exposed in open boats, by
day and by night, TO the baneful infu-
ence OF the climate, and in contempt
OF every danger, with unlrng zeal, ard
with unceasing vigilance.
But what is the amount cf this force
which has promised so much, and per
formed so little," force consisting of
eight small schooners, of from 95 10 40
tons, mounting each three guns, the
largest OF which is d nine FOUNDER, and
one Of the smallest class Of steamboats,,
mounting five guns, each carrying SO
officers and men, force very little
more than sufficient to IMAM one of our
sloops of war, and not enough for one
Of our smallest f,igates. | shall not
enumerate the FIVE ships cutters, called
harges, calculated 10 carry each l8
men for without laying up The other
vessels should not have a man 10 put
on board them, unless it should so
chance, that could obtain crews for
them out of some one Of our larger
vessels, which happens TO be the case
at present, having fortunately the Pea
cock sloop of war with me, which
have laid up for the purpose. ex-
pected, il il. true, 10 find here On nv ar
rival, the Congress, Grampus, Porpoise,
and Spark; but not a solitary United
States, vessel of war was 10 be found
on the station, nor has there been one
since, except those ! brought with me.
1t is 10 the total restitution Of pro-
lection to our commerce then, and to
the information given to the pirates,
through the press, Of my movements,
that they we're encouraged 10 make
last effort to obtain all the plumber pos
sible before my arrival--and whatever
property may have been lost, and blood
shed, may be Justly charged to others,
not TO the inactivity Of myself or those
associated with me for the squadron
was got out with unparalleled expedition,
and repeat, that up to the day Of my
arrival, piracy existed in full force, the
harbours of HAVANA and EIatanzas were
filled with our merchant vessels waiting
for convoy. Not one capture has been
made BY the pirates since we came
here, nor can any intelligence be OBJ
tanned of them, as they have abandoned
their pursuits, and mingled with the pop
ulation of the island, nearly all of whom,
either from interest or fear, are con-
cerned in keeping their secrets.
1t is easy for those who are now en-
joylng the comforts of home, to clam
our and find fault with US; ue might
also now have been possessed of the
same cmoyments, by not coming On the
expedition, (for there was nothing oblig-
atory on US and thereby have avoided
the pain which unmerited censure al
ways brings with it, come from whatey-
or quarter it will (; but, impeIled bya
sense of duty 10 our country and the
civilized world in general, all personal
considerations were out Of the pues-
ton we could promise ourselves Meth
CT honour nor profit from the exped-
lion 10 reward, but the satisfaction of
having done our duty-and from the
course taken by our newspapers, ! des-
paired Of making any captures /; but |
knew we should protect the lives and
property Of our feliow-citizens, and we
have done so.
About three years since, FIVE schoon-
ers mounting 60 guns, and CARRYING a
bout 500 men, were built for the sup
preston of piracy, and this force in ad-
dltlon TO frigate, three s!oops Of war,
brig, and some smaller vessels, To-
getber with large British force, until
a short time previous TO my coming out
here, carrying altogether about 1900
men, have ever since been. cruizing
here. If they could not suppress pira-
cy with all their means in so long a
time, with what justice can the inquiry
be made $ why Gin twenty days after
my departure from the United Statesl
the squadron of small craft under nv