Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-12-31
Popro RICO. NOV. pa. 122.

SHAMEFUL AGGRESSION,
BY Captain Porter, of the United States frigate
JOHN ADAMS, in violation of the rights of ma
tions.
On the 18th of the present month, the commander
of the United States frgatc John Adams. display
ing the flag of a nation with which we peace,
and with which there no appearance OF our
having declared war, anchored in tlIe port of Fa-
Jardo, with two schooners, landed number Of
armed troops, and placing himself at their head,
under specious prctexts threatened destruction to
the town and to the lives of its inhabitants, who
had no other bulwark but their own courage. and
no other authority IN thei front but that of an Al
calde, and of militia officer of the district. fIc
carried his inconsderae enterprise so far (taking
advantage of the surprise of the moment,aud Of the
state of peace in which are with the nation
whose flag waved him, t. spike the ARTILLERY.
rc-emba fking when the people began to collect, by
which he avoided the punishment which his
due If his preCipitate embaIkation and the weak
ness of the Alcalde. (whom cannot positively
pronounce eulpa5e account of our not being
yet acquainted with all the circumstances saved
Capt. Porter from the indignation of ole most
atOcisusly jnsulted, and, fol the present. ron the
punishment which the laws of society impose; the
thinking world will Judge OF the crniuplity in both
cases of the aforesaid Porte, public man, COM
mafting the naval forces Of civilized nation and
private individual, according to the result Of
the facts are about to relate
Under date 1.-THE Goth OF October. the Alcade of
the aforementioned town of Faiardo, gave notice
that at clock on the evening ofthe goth the AIMEE
rCan war-schooner Beagle, capt.J Platt- Rad ar
rived at that port, having on boaId Mr. George
Bcalon, clerk in the house of Cabb0t aud Bailey in
the island of St. Thomas With orders and recon-
meudaiious from Mr.. John Campos Of that place,
in search of some goods said to have been stolen
from the said house the night OF the 24-25th of
March.
The captain of the port, (to whom, rs well as to
the other military authorities, vigilance recon-
mended on account of the number of vessels which,
according to advices received. had been htted out
in the United States under the flags Of what
called the iusurgent stafes) aud his suspicious Of
the brig, aud requested the assistance Of the AZ
calde to examine her papefs, when iuding jhemre-
gular, ne gave the schooner Liberty to proceed on
her voyage the same day.
Under the date of tie ith he says, that at even
O'Clock Of that day, information was received Of
two American schooucrs. With launches in tow,
having passed The isle Of Palomnos which IS in
front of the port; that from these launches bearing
the American flag, Que hundred and fifty armed
men landed, and with dr"m beating, marched To
the town, where the people Of the ucighborhood had
already begun 10 assemble, armed with hatever
they could lay their hands on, AMI resolved good
Spaniards to- sell dear the ground they occupied,
when they observed white lag borne III f,ont, and
having been commanded - nJli. hc went out aed