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


Wild Cat and Beagle. Capt r. had no
other Communication. with them.
Span ISL .accoa1t f The death Of Lieut.
Com. Co cKE, cfthe u. s. scar. Foo.
A respected friend has handed us q
Porto Rico newspaper OF the 9th March.
| from which we have procured transla-
ton of the (-panish) account Of the cir
cumstsnees which occasioncd the meIan-
oholy end Of Lieut.. Cocke. II is Is fol.
lows:
FROM THE roRro nsco sA>sa, % srn nAonxS
DREADFUL ACCIDENT!
On the 9th Instant, an event which
has excited the greatest impression in
every heart took place in this haibor.---
1t will ne doubt afford an opportunity to
the Americans to raise claln0rs against
us, dictated by the various feelings and
passionssin every individual.
But we appeal to sensible men, and
beg them to suspend their judgment un-
I'll they will be thoroughly iniormed Of
all the particular circumstances OF the
occurrence. We allude TO the death Of
the Captain oil one of the u. S. sleeps.
which belongs toa small squadron that
was in sight from the 4th inst. and Of
which two entered the harboron the ,er.
Ming OF the 5th. The incident happens
ed thus:
His Excellency the Captain General
being absent. the place remained under
the command of the Lieutenant, who
supposed that he ought not 10 pcrsnit the
small squadron TO enter until his EAcel-
lency should either arrive or send posi-.
tive orders. We do not wish TO investi-
gate the reasons or motives which lnduc-
ej hmto act in this manner we must.
however, do him the justice to believe
that they are just, aud weighed with
that sound Judgment which charscterizcs
him.
We have been informed, that, to ef.s
feet his iatentions,hc gave orders to the
commander OF tie Castle oi Moro TO re.
| port all the movements OF the squadron,
| and to the commander Of artillery not to
, permit il 10 enter until The arrival Of his
Excellenev. lie also ordered that the
pilot should not 90 out uati they receiv-
ed further orders. At half after six o.
clock in the morning. he sent an adiu-
tant to enc of he sloors which had al
ready catered the hafbor on the preced-
ing evening, 10 request her Captain to
! 90 to the government, and to arrange
measures by which the squadron of the
harbor mi.h receive information that it
should not enter. The Captain OF the
sloop delayed until one oil ok eil err
! view with the gorrrnn cnt, the Auluiant
told him, through his eaterpreter, that
the case was urgent; and he then ex.
planned it 10 him; 70 which the Captain
replied that he was gving 10 dress him
self, and would immediately call on his
Excellency.
Between the hens Of ten and eleven
in the morning, sleep directing her
I course towards the hsI1,or without hav-
ing waited for the pilot, the Senior
Commander OF Artillery ordered gun
to be fired at her, without bill, which
might arrest her progress, or ob'igc her
to take another course; but, az she did
neither, still endeayor to get in, by in
creasing her sail, another gun, With ball,
was fired, aimed aIofi; both these shots
had been from the upper battery.
The commander of the battery which
stands on the shors, seeingthat this yes.
sci, notwithstanding the two shots, still
| forced her way in defiance Of thr auihori.
| ty. fired another gun at her, which, on
account Of her disregard, was unfortu-
nately repeated, and produced the la.
mentahle effect Of killing the captain
blowing OFF one of his legs. The first
Lieutenant then seemed inclined to-
veer, but az he could not accomplish it.
let down the sails, and cast anchor; ha
then immediately threw out the boat and
came ashore
The Lieutenant commanded the pilot
to go on board the vessel, ard ordered
that the boats of the bay should also go
to her and if any assistance was requis-
! lite. AT this moment the Captain OF the
soop whom he had requested to come al
six o'clock, appeared.
During the intercourse Of this Capitals
and the Lieutenant, the then comman
der of the soop, which was entering, AZ
rived and informed them Of the aisle :
tune that had happened, which mi .h
have been very easily avoided, il tn,
Captain of the sloop in the harbo { IA.
been more active in complying wit h tn,
. request Of the Lieutenant; or il he ha,
given an immediate reply in the negative
or il the deceased captain had fulfilled
his duty, when the 6rst and second gun,