Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-07-31
PIRATES DESTROYED.

NoReouK, July 2S.-Captain Gatchell. Of
the shin General Hand, from Havana, con-
firms the intelligence received at Charleston of
the capture OF piratical schooner. not, how
ever. as stated in the Charleston account, by
the Terrier, but BY two OF the barges of Com.
porter's squadron, under the command OF that
excellent officer, Lieut.. Como I'm. II. Vat
SON. Upon the information of Spaniard,
whom Lieut.. w. had with him as pilot, the
barges proceeded on the 18th inst. to small
Kew about 20 miles to windward Of Matanzas,
where they discovered a schooner Of about 40
tons burthen, full of men, and Immediately
commenced an attack upon her. The pirates
returned the fire very briskly for a few minutes.
but finding the barge5 getting along side and
cheering. they jumped ovei board, and attempt
ed to make the. escape; but very few. how
ever, succeeded-twentv being killed in the
action, and six taken-whie OH the side ofthe
Americans there was not man injured. It,
Watson took possession of the schooner, and
sent the prisoners in the Terrier to Havana to
be tried: they were delivered over to the civil
authority at that place. on the 18th, and the
next day the Terrier sailed for Thompson's ISL
and, Capt. Gatchell understood. Just before
he left Havana, that it was highly probable
<
only one American seaman 10 testify against
them, while they had a host of witnesses to
swear for them that they were not pirates. but
mereivfishermen. This plea, however, should
weigh but little against the naked facts of the
Casa crew ofthirtv odd men, all well armed
and supplied with ammunition, on board of a
vessel of 40 TOYS, might be taken for ahv thing
else hut fishermen indeed, fishing for
l., IL tha,, ft,f data rnnllnf;or,
II was beginning to he quite sickly at Ha-
vana. The General Hand unfortunately got
the fever among her crew-has lost four of
them on her passage, and the remainder. with
the exception OF only three, SO much indspos-
ed as to be unfit for duty. [LleraM.
WARRINGTON. July 3O--After our paper
was prepared for the press last evening,
we were favored by friend in this city
with the following letter, just received
from an officer of Commodore Porter's
squadron. mat. Ltelligsnccr.
MATANxas. July l0.--I have the plea
sure OF informing you of a brilliant achieve
meId obtained against the pirates ON the
9Th inst by two barges attached TO Com
modore Porter's squadron, the Ga1inpper,
Lieut.. Watson, 10 men, and Mosquito,
Lieutenant lDmsn, 10 men. The barges
were returning from cruise 10 windward;
when they were near JieuaPa Bay, -
leagues to windward OF this port, they en-.
tered tit being rendezvous for pirates:
they Immediately discovered large schoo-
ner under way, which they supposed TO
be Patriot privateer; and as their stores
were nearly exhausted, they hoped to OBJ
tain some supplies ircm Der; they therefore
made sail in pursuit. W hen they were
within canon Shot distance, she rounded
10 and fired her long gun, at the same time
run up the bloody flag, directing her course
towards the shore, continuing to hire with
out effect; when she had got within short
distance of shore she came to with springs
on her cable, continuing TO fire; aud when
the barges were within 80 yards, they fired
their muskets without touching boat or
man; our men gave three cheers, and pre-
pared to board; The pirates. discovering
their intention, jumped into the water,
when The barge men, calling on the name
ct .Atien," commenced destructive
slaughter, killing them in The water and as
they landed; So eXasperaied were our men,
that it was Impossible tor their officers to
restrain them, and many were killed after
orders were given to grant quaTters.-
Twenty.seven dead were counted, some
sunk, five taken prisoners by the barge
men, and eight taken by party OF Spa.
niards on shore; the officers calculate that
from 80 10 So were killed. The schooner
mounted long nine FOUNDER on pivot.
and ( fouls, with every other necessary
armament; and a crew OF from 81 to 60
men, and ought to have blown the barges
to atoms. commanded by the notorious pi.
rate Diableto or Little Devil; this state-
inert have from Capt Watson himself, 4
il is certainly The most decisive operation
that has been effected against those NOR.
derers, either by the English or American
force.
ibis affair occurred on the same spot
where the brave Allen fell ABOUT one year
since"