Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-11-14
ANTT-PIRATICAL SQUADRON.

NORFOLK, Nov. l0.-The broad pendant
of Com. PORTER, was hoisted on Saturday
on board the u. S. Corvette John Adams, uD-
der salute from that ship. We are much
gratliied at the circumstance, as il affords rea-
son TO believe that the life of so valuable and
distinguished an officer, is not again TO be COM
united 10 the casualties Of Steam Navigation,
on tempestuous Ocean.
We learn that the U. States ships John
Adams, Peacock and Stere Ship Decoy will
sail from this harbour tomorrow, for the Ma
Wy Yard at Washington. Beacon.
SHOCKING SUICIDE.
Ii has never fallen To our lot 10 record an
instance of self murder, attended with more
distressing circumstances, than that which we
nre now about TO relate.-On the morning of
Monday, eth ult Mrs. Elizabeth Ballard,
consOrt of Capt. Benjamin Ballard, OF Gates
County, IN. CO. rose about the dawn of day,
aud after converslng few minutes with her
father MIR. Robert Riddick, at whose house
she was on visit with her husband, stepped
into room where several of the family were
sleeping, took a gun, left The house unnoticed,
and in an instant the report was heard. The
alarm drew the family TO the door. within few
steps of which her body was discovered well
tering in blood 1T is supposed that she APP
Piled her toe to the trigger, and put the muzze
OF the gun close TO her throat, the load having
passed entirely through, which caused her
death InstantaneOusly.
We will attempt no description ofthe heart
rendering scene let the reader imagine him
self in the situation of kind and indulgent
husband, of an affectionaie parent, and
sincere FRIEND and he will have an idea of the
snltrrlngs which must have been endured by
those endearlng connexions. Mrs. b. was only
about 81 years of age, is represented TO have
been truly amlabe in her disposition, and
pleasing 10 her manners, and the cause other
rash determination can only be accounted for
by partial arrangement Of mind, under which
she had been labouriug for few weeks, from
the effects of a severe ilpess. Mrs. b. had
been married about years. and has left an
infant only eight months old, 10 feel the want
of mothers care. RI.
THOMPSON'S ISLAND.
BY the Schr. Ocean, Johnson, we have re-
ceived letters from an esteemed friend attach
ed to the station ef Thompson's Island, com
unricalng some information relative io the
health of the place, of which we give such ex-
tracts rs may be interesting to the pHblic.
Wednesday, October G.-The detention
Of the Ocean allows me moment To say q
few words to you. The total loss Of officers
and men that have died under charge Of the
medical officers at Hospital is 2f-15 al Hos
piial at Attention, and at the Marine Gar
riso,' Many ofthem that were sent To Hospi-
tai came in terrible situation. some helpless,
some with black yomit, Others on the cd and
Sd day. Thus, you see we have had TO bear
The brunt Of it, without the possibility Of effect
ing cures. How many have died at Attention
know not. The following valuable officers
have died ut Hospital: Midshipman MARSHALL
Lieut.. Someryie, Lieut.. Garter, Lieut.. Ro
gers Of Marines, Midshipman Reid, Midship-
man Miles King, Acting Sailing Master Balm
bridge Mr. Navarro. Sail Maker, and Mr..
Grice, Carpenter. These valuable mcs have
been continually on the so since they left the
u. States every hardship has been endured