The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-04-16
DREADFUL ACCIDENT

excited the SreatcSt IMPRESSION =" WY
heart took place in this harbor. II will
no doub, afford an opportunity TO the
Americans to raise clamors against US,
dictated by the various feelings and pas
sions of every individual.
But we appeal to sensible men, and
beg them TO suspend their judgment
until they shall be thoroughly informed
OF alfthe particular circumstances OF the
occurrence. We allude TO the death OF
the captain of one Of the u. ). sioops,
which belongs to a small squadron that
was in sight from the 4th inst. and OF
which two entered the barber on the
morning ofthc fifth. The incident hap.
pened thuss
His excellency the captain general
being absent, the place remained under
the command ofthe lieutenant, who sup.
posed he ought not TO permit the small
squadron to enter until his excellency
should arrive or send positive orders
We do not wish TO investigate the rea-
SONS or motives which induced him 10
act in this manner we must, however,
do him the justice to believe that.sthey
Judgment which charactorizes him.
We have been informed, that to effect
his intentions, he gave order TO the com.
maDder OF the castle of Moro 10 report
all the movements OF the squadron, and
to the commander OF artillery not 10 per.
NIT 1t TO enter until the arrival OF his
excellency. He also ordered that the
pilot should not go out until they receiv-
cdiurthcr orders. Al half after 6 O'Clock
in the morning, he sent an ad,uiaDt 10 on,
OF the sioops which had already entereo
the harbor on the proceeding evening,
to request her captain 10 go to the go
vernmept, and to arrange measures by
which the squadron off The harbor might
receive information that it should no,
enter. The captain Of the sloop delay
ing until one O'Clock the interview with
the government, the adjutant told him,
through his interpreter, that the case
was urgent /; and he then explained 1t to
him ; to which the captain replied tina,
he was gong to dress himself, and would
immediately call upon his eyceliency
Between the hours of 10 and ii in the
morning, sloop directing her course
towards the harbor, without having wait
ed Tor The pilot, the senior commander OF
artillery ordered gun to be fired at her,
without ball, which might arrest her
progress, or oblige her to take another
course but, as she did neither, and still
endeavored 10 get in, by increasing her
sail, another gun, with ball was fired,
aimed aloii both these shots had been
from the upper battery.
The commander of the battery which
stands on the shore, seeing. that this YES.
sci, notwithstanding the two shots, still
forced her way in defiance of the author
ity, fired another gun a, her, which, on
account OF her disregard, was uniortu-
nately repeated, and produchd the lam
entabIe effect of killing the captain,
blowing of one OF his legs. The first
lieutenant then seemed inclined to veer.
but as he could not accomplish it, lei
down the sails, and cast anchor
he then Immediately threw out the boa,
and came ashore.
The lieutenant commanded the pilot to
so on board the vessel, and ordered tina,
the boats OF The bay should also go to her
and see il any assistance was requisite -
Al this moment the captain of the sloop
whom he had requested TO come at 6
O'Clock, appeared.
During the intercourse of this captain
end the lieutenant, the then commander
OF the sloop, which was entering, arrived
and informed them of what had happened.
which might have been very easily avoid
ed, 1t the captain OF the sloop in the
harbor had been more active i'm compIy>
ing with the request of the lieutenant, or
Vt he had given an immediate reply in
the negative, or if the deceased captain
mad fulfilled his duty, when the first and
second guns were fred at him, either by
Seeiing, since he could easily have done
H. according to the opinion of those ex
perienced In naval affairs, or by making
some other demonstration as was dons
alter the circumstance.
Half an hour after this dreadful occur
renee, his excellency the captain general
arrived, WHO ordered that all the vessels
winch might wish to enter, should be
permitted to do IT and would receive
them With that attention due 10 friendly
nation since the nature of the vessels
and the public spirit ofthe natives, were
such as to remove all fear Of danger,
The burial oflhe corpse of the captain
OF the sloop, William Cooke, was perF,r.
med with all the pomp possible A.