Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-06

COMMODORE IORTERS SQUADRON.
Extract of d teller 10 Me Editors of Tie Enqui.
rer, from an officer IN The United States M
Sea Gull, Attention. Thompsons Island,
18th May, 1923.
Sir On the Goth April we joined the bar
ses in Siguapa Bay they had gvenit most
thorough examination, and had discovered
the remains Of some vessels which had been
burnt by pirates one Of them, the Du ch brig
which they had taken few weeks before our
arrival on the coast We in company with the
barges immediately proceeded to AN exami-
nation ofthe coast and keys AS high up as
the river Palmas, which being very difficult
of access, is generally used by them, when
driven from Siguapa. Unfortunately they
must have received information of our move
ments, as we found on our arrival there, that
their vessels had been burnt and crew. dis
persed. After remaining several days i'm the
ncighbouhood, examining all the keys and
coast most minuiely, we returnedto MatanXas
10 take out Il convoy and attend To landing
Il cargo of coal for this vessel, and sent the
barges down to the neighbourhood of Havana,
where we joined them on the e8th. We re-
manned in Havana until the evening of the
next day, when we proceeded down the
coast with the barges ahead, examining every
bay, river, creek, cove, and key, as far as the
river Puerco. We detalned three boats on
suspicion, but not having sufficient proof te au
thorize their being brought here, the Com
modore relieved them. We burnt stout
schooner near the river Puerco, and six or
seven establishments on shore, between that
place and the bay Of Honda, which there was
every reason for believing to be pratical.-
But no persons engaged in this practice were
taken. On the afternoon of Friday the Sd
inst. our coal being nearly expended, the
Commodore. concluded to return to ThOmp-
sons Island, and directed the barges to make
the best of their way across. The wind and
current being unfavourablc for us, il was de-
termined the next morning, To go TO MatanZas,
get fresh supply of coal and wafer, and take
ont the next convoy the vessels whose duty
it was to dos so, having gone into port TO reiit.
Left Matanzas On Monday morning and on
the 9th arrived here. Captain Cassin had
been in more than week, after more sue
eessfui cruiZe than ours for beside the Pilot,
he had captured among the shoals ofthe Ca
inaeo Reef, very fine fe!ucca, pulling Is
sweeps the crew exchanged shots with our
men, and then escaped To the weeds. He had
with the schooners and barges gone inside of
the keys aud reefs from Honda to cape Antu-
MO, examining the coast SO closely as to pro-
Sress only Is or 90 miles per day. In his
route he destroyed several establishments on
shore, which were undoubtedly piratic;l hut
Neith'r OF the expeditions has been fruitful
IN captures, but IN effect, sir, much SO, as
could be desired. The coast from the river
Palmas 10 cape Antonio, has had such an ex-
animation as will venture to assert, il never
had before; for no spot that boat could ap-
preach has been overlooked all the vessels
and stopping places Of the pirates, have been
destroyed and have no hesitation in saying
that there Is not pirate in that character
49, A., l. -.
vessel they had, which has not been destroy
ed, has, since our arrival on the coast, been
disarmed and returned i.' her original owner
This was large schooner called the CargOna
mounting three guns, which with the shot
belonging 10 them, have been thrown over
board, and will in short time he recovered by
I's, as we have correct information of the
spot. All the materials for renewal of the
practice are still at hand, and will doubtless he
put into operation so soon as our crlliZers are
Withdrawn hut again repeat, that nothing
's to be feared, as long as the Commodore
pursues the plan he has adopted. As soon
as We returned, another expedition Of two
schoon'Ts and two barges was fitted out they
sailed yesterday morning, under 1t. CommO-
dore Watson, will commence an examination
ct the coast at point Ycacas thence TO wind
ward, and make a circuit Of the Island At
the same time two other schOOners, which
sailed about week ago, are making circuit
oi 1t by way Of cape Antonio, and The south
side The sloop Peacock sailed Yesterday
for the Gulf and coast of Mexico TO relieve
the Shark Two of the schooners are of
Havana for weekly convoy ; another left this
few hours ago with the same object off Ma
tanzas; and the other will depart in day OF
two forthe Crooked Island passage, thence
round the south side of Cuba TO Campeachy,
Honduras and n. ORLEANS
HaVing put down VII piratical establishments
on this side ofthe Island, You will perceive nv
Inc foregoing statement that we are extending
our operations To ascertain whether any exist
IN other quarters. We have been on the STA
tion not quite two months, and in that time,
no act OF piracy has been committed-wth n
force not more than equal TO that of one of
our large irigates, we have put it down, and
not only given complete protection to our own
commerce, but to that of all other nations,
VINO have in common with our own trade,
enjoyed all the benefits Of our conveys.
Perhaps there are very few persons, who
are aware of the extent, and Importance. OF
our trade to Cuba. Think since we have been
mere That our convoy lists, will give an average
VI 'O arrivals and departures weekly, of Amer.
'cdn vessels for Havana, and about two thirds
"A ''hat number for Matanzas; and there is
scarcely day without our seeing three OF
@olr pass This place
Our operations have been much embarrass.
va oy an order, which has been given, to pre-.
'ent our vessels from entering the minor ports
vi CUBA and although repeated applications
nave oeen 'naae TO the Captain General, fpl
"S Invocation, IL Is still in force. When last
al MataDzas, much alarm prevailed. i'm consc
qIlence of the assembage Of body of robbers
w or 20 IN number, well mounted and armed
VINO were COmmitfjuO dpnredst;o,s Go tI,,