Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-10-25
From The Norfolk Beacon Of Oct Fl.
INSOLENCE CHASTISED

readers. tia, on The sob June last, we
published, on the information OF 1t Com
mandant Stevens II the Jscka'l, a stale
ment TO the following feet: That about
The middle OF that month, while the U 5.
ship Hornet, Capt Smith, was laying at
Havana the brig Mary Joan, from Mid
dle.own. Conn } arrived there, and The
captain communicated To Capt, Smith tie
fact of his having been robbed on The 18th
of that month, off Matanzas, by a pratt
cal boat, and ordered of. Capt. Smith,
tor the purpose OF decoying, and bringing
the monsters 10 punishment put Lieut.
CiarIes l.. Plat, with 50 men, on board
the Mary Joan, and ordered her Rgam Oh
Matanzas-we subsequently, ststef that
the expedition had not been attended with
success, ss the brig did not again tail IN
with the pirates
In conversation With an officer OF The
squadron, within few days past. we have
learned the following additional particu'
lars, relative TO that expedition
Lieut. Piatt having arrived at Mstanzss,
in conformity with his orders, waited on
the Lieut., Governor, in the absence OF The
Governor, and made known TO him The
object of bis visit to that port. In this In.
terview Lieut.. Plat wa. most grossly in.
suited by this satellite OF royalty, who de.
cIared he considered the Commodore and
mis- whole squadron as set OF P,rdses,
and vili6ed them by the most outrageous
epilhet.. Upon being informed by Lit.
p. that the whole tenor OF his conversation
volt b conmuni a'ei f. ,h- Comm.
d. re, he became armed for the consr.
Que noes and endeavoIed TO apologize and
d,.suaue Ii P from bis intention, but to
no purpose.
Upon joining the Commodore, the
whole conduct Of this minloD was made
known To- him, which produced the tol.
lowing correspondence between Com
Porter and The Captain General Of Cuta.
so credrabIe to both parties. Lieut.. +.
understood that it resulted in the dismis-
sal from Office of this unworthy represen-
tative OF The spanish government.
Az this insult offered 10 our government
was known 10 many masters of American
vessels. and others, then al Malanzas, We
have solicited thu publication OF the col.
respondpnC., that they might Dr. inform
ed with what promptness and dignity the
outrage was resented by the gallant Com.
mOdore.
CORRESPONDENCE.
To HI, Ercelleney Don Frn~eiseo D,oni.
$40 Vives Captain General IF The Island
of Cuba and its Dependeneies
YnUR xcELLEECY.
| detain the vessel of War, by which
intended dispatChing the letter had the
honor to address you on the 2ist tor the
purpose OF submitting to you the tram
script OF a letter, this day handed to NE
by Captain Sidney Smith, commanding
the u S. ship of war Hornet, one of my
squadron Just arrived from Havana.
Captain Smith, while laying in Havana
" th his ship, had heard by the arrival of
an American brig, Of her being plundered
mar the harbor of Maianzas by some pi
rates and as a means OF capturing them,
dispatched the same vessel with number
nf his men, TO throw themselves in the
way of these marauders, D. 10 endeavor 10
decoy them on board.
Lieut. Platt, 10 whom The letter is ad
dressed, was the officer ~ command Of The
men on board the brig, and my object 10
laying it before you, is TO make known
the conduct OF an officer, whose duty il
should be to correct public opinion, in.
stead OF misleading it, and who, ] am
compelled to say, is unworthy OF, and in
competent 10, The station be fills il he can
permit himself by such gross indseencies,
and on idle reports, 10 do outrage TO the
feelings OF q foreign officer, (who had
waiied on him Tor the sole purpose Of
paying him a respect which il appears he
was uadeserving off, and injustice to my
conduct and character, and the conduct
and character of those under my com
mand. His assertions are in every par.
ticular, where they have any bearing on
our conduct. destitute OF the shadow OF
truth, and | should deem them unworthy
of notice, but from the effect they may
have on ignorant minds, and the pallia
tives they seem 10 offer 10 those enemies
of the human race, which il is my duty, in
conjunction with the local authorities OF
Cuba, TO pursue and repress and which
duties | may in VAIN hope 10 complete, so
long as such sentiments are entertained,
and expressed, by . public Functionary,
so high in authority, as be who at times,
is charged With the exercise OF the powers
OF The Governor of Matanzas.
| should deem il fruitless to call on him
for cooperation and support, or 10 expect
from. him compliance with your Excel
lency's orders and wishes.
lhave INT one request to make OF your
EIcellencY, which is, that you will take
the report of my conduct, insthe business
which gave rise 10 my letter OF the Slst,
from The Spanish Merchants, and others Of
respectability, who may claim the proper.
" detained by me. and not the impure
source from which The Lieut.. Governor Of
Nj a.anzas has dra6A bic information,