Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-04-26

In the course of some debate 10 the Bril-
fish parIianent on the fourth OF March, on
a motion for information On the subject OF
West India piracies, Sir G. Cockburn
said:
eslt might be remembered that in the
last session of Parliament be stated to the
Horse. that the coast of Cuba was in such
q condition, as to make it impossible even
for three or four men OF war to protect the
whole coast. A communication was kept
up among the passage boats, and thus they
boarded The merchant vessels, and made
prizes of their cargoes, without the almost
possibility OF arresting them in their des-
perste occupation. There seemed to BIN
but one way OF putting stop to that sys.
tenn. and he remembered that when he
mentioned that mode to the House, it ex-
cited good deal OF ridicule, and, in an
extraordinary degree, the mirth Of the
hon. member for Sandwich (Mr. Maryatt.)
The simple plan which had occurred TO
bis mind was to apply TO the Spanish 20.
vernment, and seek their aid in suppress
ing this piracy. He bad great pleasure in
communicating 10 the House the complete
success of that application. As soon as
they bad received from the Spanish autho-
rites assurances that they were disposed
10 assist 10 suppressing that system, they
communicated TO the admiral then on that
station the result OF their application, and
be with TOO great promptitude instantly
sent letter to the Havana, acquainring
the authorities there with what had been
done. He found, however. that the Spa
nish authorities had actually gone before
his own government in giving orders for
the demolition Of those pirates So per-
feet was the faith which they held tor this
government. In consequence Of these ex
ersiors 10 pirate vessels had been taken,
out of which 90 pirates we're killed, 40
made prisoners by our vessels, aud II by
the Spaniards The total number of pi.
rates taken amounted to II, Of whom IL
were sentenced TO be, and the rest, in all
probability, were also before this moment
hanged, since very little doubt existed as
to their fate"
Mr.. Canning, in sub,equen, part OF
the debate said:
OOIDe dIlusou hdu DSeU udue to d
question as to the delay in landing the
British force. That, as the House would
perceive, was not question to be deci-
ded by the admiralty as a department,
but by His Majesty's Ministers in their
political capacity. 1t was doubted at first
whether or not the Spanish force would
cooperate with ours & it must be imme-
diateIy perceived that The landing Of Bril-
fish force upon neutral territory, without
any previous communication, might have
led 10 consequences which i, would not be
judicious to risk. The course adopted,
was TO make application TO the govern
ment of the Havana to lend its assistance ;
and an order was subsequently given 10
our forces 10 land even in spite Of Spanish
| resistance. The Spaniards, who saw the
reasonableness OF the demand, instructed
their authorities to cooperate with our
force, but proud government might have
felt otherwise and it wa: not absurd TO
apprehend, that in the present state OF
Europe, reports might bave gone abroad
a,tributing to this country the intention OF
occupying, Tor other purposes, any place
at which they might land"