Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-06-25
ENHIBIr, No. :.
ave- ="
U. S. SCHOONER WEASEL,

Oft LtOgeTS,
SIR: hasten to communicate to you my re-
turn to port anu the cause winch led to it, at so
much earlier period than was expected when
! sailed.
Having been Joined BY the Fox at Havana,
proceeded on tine 28th ult. down the coast of
Cuba. On the morning OF the Sd instant, off
the Colorados, l fell in with a large two topsail
schooner, which, OH approaching within short
distance fine, hoisted Spanish colors and fired
shot over me my flag was flying at the mo-
mcnt, and had been some time before. l re-
turned her fire, but with orders to the officers
not to strike her, thinking we both might have
mistaken each other; for had only the morn
ing before spoken two Spanish national sclloo-
nCrs, in search, as they told me, of a Patriot
privateer, and thought it not improbable that
this vessel belonged to one or the other party.
He answered my shot with second, which
again returned directly across his deck. and We
nv near and was in the act of repeating it,
when he hailed me, together with several
others who by waving their hats and handl,er-
chiefs to me, induced me to dcsist until asccr-
tanned his real character. accordingly sent
Lieut.. Randolph on board, to examine the cap
tain's commission. This he refused to show &,
resolved to compel him; but before renewed
the fire, in order to avoid any unnecessary efiu-
sion of blood, hailed him, and ordered him to-
haul down his Colors, which he did; and soon
after came on board himself, having sent his
commission by one Ut his officers. Being una.
BILE to interpt it myself, and having no one on
board who understood Spanish, s. moreover be-
lieving her to be a very suspicious vessel, put
Lieut.. Randolph on board of her, with a prize
crew, and ordered her in, that YOU might decide
on her case. She is armed with a long II
FOUNDER, a number of small arms of cvere dcs
cription, and had on board thirty two men, man,
ofwhoui cali themselves passengers. The YES.
sci is named the Seganda GaIliego, and is com
mandel by one Jose Maurin /; she was thirteen
days from Tampico, bound to Havana. Besides
her armament, there arc many other crcu.n.
Stances that render her character very oue,,i.
enable. We found in her quantity of specie
in dollars and bars, to the amount of 800 600
az reported by her commander. On demand
ing ofhm why lie fired at me, he ATTEMPTED Il
excuse himself, by saying he took us for pirates
although her interpreter, little while after
acknowledged that they had seen us at Havana
an knew us. She was, at the time we fell in
with her, in chase, as thought, of an American
brig; this he denied, and said he had been i,
company with her the day before. determined
therefore, to speak the brig, in hopes of re.tiua
information from her that might throw som.
light on the character of the schooner. To m,
surprise was informed by the American cap
tain, that the statement was incorrect, and tha
he had never before seen the vessel. We foun,
a red flag on board, somewhat worn, and TWEEN
" or thirty sweeps in her hold.
Respectfully, have the honor to be.
Your obcdient servant,
BEVERLY KENYON.
To Cow. d. PORTER,
Conmawting u. S. NEH Forces.
West Lndiu Station.