Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-22

the FOX and Weasel is not Improbable, as such
mistakes were frequently made, with regard to
the small vessels, &c. Really this writer blows
hot and cold i'll the same breath, with marvel
lous dexterity. Why the Captain ofthc Scssun-
da Galliego should have been less liable TO err
in taking two OF the american Squadron (known
to almost all the merchant captains in Havana,
and indeed, actually known To this very one,
as his interpreter afterwards Acknowledged for
pirates, and should have been more excusablc
i'll treating them as such, IN this great thorough
fare, where 50 many vessels may be seen daily
together without attracting particular atten-
ton, than was in installing the character ot his
vessel under the circumstances mentioned, and
after hay ing been attacked without pr0yocatiOn,
is proposition, the solution OF which leave TO
some ingenious logcian, as confess myself ut
terly unequal To it.
am accused of dsobedicnce of orders, and
oflaiving suppressed letter which | ought to
have delivered. These are the words of the
writer in the Georgian: ''Licutenant- comman-
dant kcnnon neither made explanations to the
Captain General, nor did he delve r the letter to
the owners of the Segunda Gallie-o, as ordered,
but brought it back with him to Thompson's
Island.n This is true; but mark the abortion
of the mountain i'll labor.
Commodore Porter did send me to Havana,
as the bearer ot his communication to- the Go
vernon, for the express purpose that, as [ had
made the capture, might explain to him all the
circumstances that led to it. was referred to,
for explanations. in the letter, and, on nv first
introduction to the Governor, 1 told him that
whenever he was at ieasure To hear Inc, would
give him all the information he desired. had
two interviews with him the next day, the last
TO receive his answer TO the Commodore. He
asked me no questions, and, of course, | gave
him no answers. Was tiny fault, then, that no
explanations were made to him Could say to
him, ''You shall hear me!" or, was it the plain
and reasonable import Of my orders, that I was
to give explanations if he should ask them
Certainly Commodore Porter, himself, saw no.
thing wrong in this affair; for, OH my return I
mentioned to him, IN our conversation, that the
Governor had not thought proper to make any
inquiries of the, and he very naturally express
ed himself to this effect, that the information was
intended Tor Gen. Wives, and if he had not cho-
sen to avail himself of it, ne could not helm it.
little could have conjecturcd that so triiling
an incident would ever be made a matter of Sc.
rious accusation against me before the pub
lie.
The non-dcvery of Captain Maurin's letter
to his owners, is q matter of the same character
The facts were as follows: was requested and
did promise Captain hlaurin, to take charge of an
open letter from him to his owners, provided il
met with the appreciation Of Commodore Porter
The Commodore gave his permission, first re-
curing the letter TO be translated, and submit
ted to his examination, which understood was
done. Although | did not consider myself rs
charged with the delivery of the letter as point
oil duty, brt merely as an act of civility to Can
tam Nlaurln, yet, l most certainly intended TO
have delivered it, for, if l had had any objection
TO do SO, might easily have avoided taking il.
whereas actually asked permission for him TO
send it. On my arrival at Havana, not knowing
IN what part tot the city the persons to whomit was
addressed resided, aud thinking that the best plan
their nf
close 1t with the dispatches to the Governor
who would, OF course, have occasion 20 summon
the owner before him, intended to put il i'm the
envelope tor the Governor, and verify believed
haa doac 50. OWING, however, to a mistake. :
SUCH as every oneis sometimes ahits:I5 IL, I found.
On my return to Ihonpson'sr Island, that it had
NOT oeeh disposed otssls intended. / ilnmcd-
~tSIy 'pPIIlssseu the Commodore of the oversight
- n replied, that the letter was of no consc-
qucnce, as the parties Interested had been made
acquainted with all the facts in it, by his letter
to the Governor; circumstance which knew
as both letters had been delivered to me OPEN
BY mere accident have retained possession of
this letter, and of the translation oft made by
Mr.. Adams. 1t is as follows, and the public will
judge, after reading it, what possible motives
could have had for Withholding it, unless also
withheld the one addressed to the Captain Cen
eral.
CAPTAIN MAURIN'S LETTER.
CAYo DE HUEssos, 9TH Aug 1928.
MEssns. ToRRE & MARTINEZ;
My DFs1 SIRs,-The second of the present
August, got under weigh for the waters OF
Quay Jabon, by two American Schooners oil
war, who have brought TO this Key To
day vas Conducted to the presence of the
Commodore of this squadron, and the Comma
dorc has been pleased to deliver back to me the
nag, vessel, and interests, which for that port
shall be conducted by your schooner 2nd Gal
fega This evening will depart for The Habana
one of the Schooners OF War from this station
u Is Tor Information from the Captain General
ii it be the schooner Carmen, alias end GalIepa,
II am her captain, # you are the owners, if
went oat OF port despatched for Tampco and il
idepartcd on the 18th June, and for the benefit
OF your interests, and OF the other gentlemen
concerned.
L hope in the shortest time possible these
treasures will be forwarded to you, with The nc.
cessary documents for NY entire justification.
My circumstances, at present do not allow of nv
saying any tang more.
am, yoar most aiiectonate, So. &c.
JOSE NJ. MAURIN.
The anonymous writer seems to be anxious
10 induce Commodore Porter TO think. that il
will naturally be inferred, from the paragraph
III the ilcr2.i, that the capors have, by the con
duct OF General Wives, and of the cornrnanduo
officer OF the squadron been cheated out of thciy
proportion of 100000. Now do conscienti-
ously believe that no such inference has ever
been even suggested by any human being, that
has read the paper, except only by this writer
himself. Can any man in his senses SUPPOSE
That another would do dishonest or immoral
action directly against his own interest and
yet, this must unavoldably be the case with
Commodore Porter, in order TO Justify any per