Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-12-30

The following is an extract from the
Spanish account OF the recent events at
Porto Rico:
.Uuder date Of the 50th October. the
Alcalde of the aforementioned town of
Fajardo gave notice that at I o'clock
on the evening of the 26th. the mer-
lean war schooner Beagle, Capt, j. Platt,
had arrived at that port, having on board
Mr.. George Beafon, Clerk in the house
of Cabot and Bailey, in the Island OF St
Thomas, with orders and recommends
tons from Mr.. John Cambos. of the
place, in search of some goods said TO
have been stolen from the said house on
the night of the 2i-s5th. OF March,
The captain of the port, to whom, as
well as to the other military authorities,
vigilance was recommended on account
of the number of vessels which, accor-
ding TO advices received, had been fit
ted out in the United States under the
flags of what are called the insurgent
states, had his suspicious OF the brig, and
requested the assistance of the Alcalde
to examine her papers, when finding
them regular, he gave the schooner Ii
berry to proceed on bervoyage the same
day.
Under the date of the l4th. he says,
that at seven o'clock of that dav, infor-
nation was received of two American
schooners, with launches in tow, having
passed the Isle of Palominos, which is
front of the port; that from these lsun-
ches, bearing the American flag, one
hundred and fifty armed men landed,
and with drum beating, marched to
the town, where the people of the neigh
borhood had already begun to assemble,
armed with whatever they could lay
their hands on, and resolved as good
Spaniards to sell dear the ground they
occupied, when they observed a white
flag born IN front, aud having been COM
manded 10 halt, he went out and met an
officer, who brought the Alcalde let
ter in English, literal translation of
which follows:
u S Frigate John adams, .hop. 10, 1924
SRI have been officially informed
that an officer under my orders who viSi-
ted the town of Falardo, ofwhich you are
chief. in search OF, which with a great
quantity OF American property were
supposed to be created there, and car
rying with him sufficient testimony Of
his object and character, was. after he
had made all known to you, Sir, ares
| ted through your orders, by armed men,
| and shamefulIy insuIted and abused "a
. fresh by the inhabitants OF the town.
His object in visiting Fajardo has been
frustrated through these means, and for
these offences has been made neither
expiation nor explanation.
he object of my visit is to obtain
both, and ! leave it entirely 10 your
choice. either to come with the Captain
of the port, and the other offenders,
where am, to give me satisfaction for
the part which you have all had in this
shameful affair, or TO expect nv visit in
your town. Hyou, Sir, decline to come
to me, shall take with me an armed
force, competent to chastize the trans
gressors; and if any resistance be made
the total destruction OF Fejardo shall be
the certain and immediate consequence.
II atonement for the injury is prompt
ly made those innocent of the offence
shall escape all punishment: but there
must and shall be an atonement, and if
] am impeded, they shall be involved in
general punishment
shall hold the town and the vessels
In port, if the officer who is sent with
this letter be detained or i'll treated.
grant you, Sir, an hour to decide on
the subject, at the expiration of which
period, if you do not present yourselfin
person before me, shall march to Fa-
jardo.
have the honour to be, With great
respect, your obedient servant,
(Signed) ID. n. PORTER.
Commands, Of The M.vat Forces of the United
States, on the Coast IF .ifiiea and Florida, IN
: the Intaites and the Cuff Of .uerico.
To the ALcALDE of Fajaido"
"The Alcalde says, that, to avoid the
consequences with which he saw the
town was threatened, he resolved to go
and speak to Com. Porter, with whom
he held conference in the most friend
iy manner, and, after having removed
all difficulties, retired. After this. he
supposed they spiked the four pieces of
artillery, at the port.
Various persons who were present,