Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-12-16


On this subject, which interests tle
best feelings OF our country the Nation
al Gazette of yesterday, gives the fol-
lowing additional details from private
letter, a portion of which we copied
| from the same source on MONDAY.
Erfract cfa letter dated s. 7Aorsas yAeuem6e- is.
1.-The next morning the squadron
sailed, anil early on the 18th, come to
anchor under Snake Island, (uninha.
bited.) Here the boats were all hois-
ted ont, and draft of men, to
the number OF 200. made for an
expedition which il now appeared was
destined against Faxardo, in conse.
qnence OF the representation made 10
Commodore Porter by Captain Plags
of his treatment by the authorizes of
that place Ate, A NJ, Conlmodore
Porter, and Captain Dallas Having re-
paired on board the Grampus, Cap
tam Sloat, she, in company with the
Beagle, got under weigh. with the draft
OF men, having the boats Of the John
Adams in tow, she remaining behind.
AT sun rise the vessels were off the bar.
bour, and at forty minutes past eight,
the Grampus anchored within musquet
shot OF battery of Q long eighteens
advantageously placed upon the top of
rocky bluff. The boats being man
ned and their flags hoisted, the launch
OF the Gfampus, commanded by Lieu
tenant pendegrass, with thirty men, in
GLIDING Lieutenant Barton, and thirteen
marines, pulled directly towards the
fort Having effected landing ra-
Their in the rear Of the guus.they march,
ed Immediately to the fort but the
Spanlards did not awatc their arrival,
having fed ere our men could attain
the summit of the hill-thus in posses.
sion OF a battery, which properly man.
aged, should haveisufiiced TO beat off
much larger force, the guns which
were found loaded and prmed, with
matches burning were spiked with
files, and the hammers broken.
During this time the other boats.
with Commodore Porter and Captain
Dallas were not idle, but made good
their landing at a beach about a quar-
ter of a mile to the right of the battery,
where being joined by the launch of
the Grampus, the men were formed
on shore A guard of marines having
been detailed to take charge of the
boats, the remainder proceeded to-
wards the town of Faxardo, which is
situated Two miles in the interior, and
contains about 100 houses. AT tie dis
lance of one mile from the shore, two
nine Founders bad been mounted,
where piece of marshy ground rem
dered the place in some degree defen-
slb!e-but as at the fort, our country
men were not under the necessity of
giving any very sanguinary proof of
their valour, the Spaniards having de-
serted theirpost. The guns were spik-
ed and the troops continued to advance
some distance further, when they were
halted& flag truce dispatched. to de-
mand suitable apology for the insult Of
fered to theAmerican flag in the peIson
olcapt Plat, for whichlhour was given.
The civil and military commandants
accompanied the flag in its return. when
they were informed by Commodore
Potter, ofthe object which had caused
the present rather unceremonious WIS.,
ii, and that suitable apology for the
treatment which Captain Plat and his
officers bad met with, together with
promise that IN future, the American
flag should be treated with the utmost
respect, was absolutely necessary, or
he should instantly proceed 10 hostili-
ties. These terms being fully acceded
to, and Captain Plat having express
ed himself satisfied with the conces-
sion made, the men were marched
back 10 the beach and embarked.
Although no blood was shed. vel our
countrymcn have fully maintained their
character for good conduct and from
the ardour and enthusiasm manifested
by every one TO share the anticipated
dangers ofthc expedition, there is lit.
tie reason to doubt, that had they met
a worthy foe, new laurels would be adj
ded TO those which already flourish in
perennial verdure, ar ound the brows
OF the gallant officer who commanded
the expedition and shared The fatigue
OF the march The landing and re-em-
barbatlon Of the troops, together with
a march OF four miles, under a tropical