Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-24
y.R. roTNSETT.
Fhom the Nrd,tf,.ekei !

-.e FSpm the Nantucket Enquirer.
AS an apology for the publication at this late
PERIOD of the following sketch, we would saw thai
az the tame oi the occurrence, and for some years
after, no paper was printed in this place. The
statements of the communication however, are well
substantiated, and though long delayed, we are ne
due" -
TRIBUTE.
Itmay not be generally known, that the Hon. 10
eel II. Poinsett, a, present a member Of Congress
from the city of Charleston, S. G. has rendered
highly important services to the Interests of this Is
land.
MIR. Poinsett arrived at Buenos Ayres in 1911 as
a.. ini"r'nai agent the part of thu United States,
with view of ascertaining the political state of
that portion of Soutl, America. After his teport
was received by the President, he was appointed
Consul General of the u. Suites for Buenns Ayres
Chill and Peru in thar character crossed the cu,,-
,incntto the Pacific Ocean. MIR. Poinsett arrived
~ Chill in December 1911. Previous TO that time
the Lima pfivateers had repeatedly plun,iered our
SHIPS employed in the whale fishery; they had cut
Out our whale ships. II will be remembered that
at this time Lima was at peace with Chilli To
inns violence and abuse, Mr. Ponsett re,nonstra ted
IN VAIN. Alter the declaration of war between the
Z nited States and Great Britain, they preteuded
they were allies of Great Britain, and therefore
haa right to- capture the ships of her enemies. An
expedition was fitted out by the viceroy of Lima,
ana they succeeded in landing and taking possessi-
BY The capture of Alcahuana, large number ut
American ships, among which were the following,
laden with cargoes of oil, and laking in water and
provisions for their homeward voyage, cap
tured and their crews confined on board-viz: ship
Criterion, WIN. Clark, aster; Lyon, Albert Clark;
Sukey, John Macy; Gardner, Isaiah Ray; Presi-
dent, Solomon Folger, Jr.; Perseverance,, Thomas
Paddock; Atlas Obed. Joy; besides several others.
Under these circumstances, insulted and injured
as we had been, and war having, in fact, been
menced against u.s. Mr.. Ponsett Joined the CHILEAN
army, aud directed its movements. battle was
fought near town San Carlos ON the 18th for some
hours with various success and with great obstina-
cy on both sides. Night intervening enabled Mr..
Ponseit To place himself ut the head of four hun
dred picked men, with three pieces of light artille-
ry; with which, leaving the main body of the army
he marched directly on Talcahuana, to which place
the enemy had drawn their forces, which town he
succeeded in capturing, after engagement of
three hours. twas exceedingly fortunate that, on
the night preceding the battle, there was a heavy
gale from the northward, which prevented the enc
my from carrying away the American vessels which
they had captured. The battle was fought in the
presence -four brave seamen, who were placed in
tlie painful and mortifyng situation of mere spec
tators, being imprisoned on board the vessels. The
town was carried by storm: d the rsult the re-
lease Of ten American whale ships, held prizes by
| the Inhabitants of Lima. The benefits which re-
suited to this island from the enterprise, are meal
| culable. Two hundred gallant seamen were re-
leased from imprisonment: large amount of pro-
perty was rescued from depreciation; and this at a
time of general distress in this place. Al the time
of the capture of the above vessels, their papers
were taken from them and destroyed. Mr.. Poin-
sett gave them consular certificates, with which
they Immediately sailed to Nantucket.
To the truth of the above simple narrative, there
| are number in this town, who are happy to bear
testimony, and to acknowledge their obligations to
MIR. Poinsett. There many others, also, whose
property was rescued by his exertions. In fact it
was an enterprise of Importance to us We
think few would have had'the courage 10 attempt,
or the talent and enterprise to achieve gallant
and heroic action.
| We do not speak of Mr.. Poinsett's learning. lie
has unquestionably read much and travelled much
| His history of Mexico is before the public As an
honorable, highninded and wise politician, his views
| are we'll known to the country; on these subjects
therefore, we need not speak. But we regret tina
we have never before published to the world the a.
bove simple statement of facts deeply interest
| ing to us, which were witnessed by two hundred OF
our citizens, and which, probably few other Ameri-
cans have had an opportunity of knowing.
JUSTICE.