Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-07-15

Extract Of a letter from Capt. Thomas
Boyle, Of the brig Panopea, OF Baltimore,
dated
'Nsw ORLEANS, June i5.--On the af-
ternoon OF the 18th May, when about
leagues S. S. f. IRON the high land OF
Matanzas. we sawithree sail; one ship
standing off shore, and brig and schooner
running TO leeward. AT sunset the schr.
had neared us considerably, we having
supposed her to be merchantmen bound
to the Havana. Ate P. M she came into
our wake and pretty close TO US. and com,
menced firing muskets at us-and al nail
past nine came within bail and SAID he
was Colombian man OF war. Knowing
that pirates bad formerly infested this
neighoorhood, we were the more suspi>
cious--we answered in return, declaring
the name and nation of our brig--that we
would give him every necessary proof oil
our friendly character, i'ul by no means
to insult US. Notwithstanding all our eli.
forts to convince him we were Americans,
he frequently ran round US and ordered US
TO heave to-we did so several times, we'll
knowing that no boats crew could ever
be so powerful as TO throw damp over
the spirits of those had under my charge
No boat was sem, know not from what
motive, but at last, alter passing me ~
times, be peremplo,ily told me to haul
down my head sails and send my boat on
board Not being willing 10 dispense my
men by sending my boat, when knew it
was bis duty to send his, and knowing
that If hauled down my head sails !
should in all probability lose the command
of my vessel and the quick working OF her,
did not comply with his request, having
by The bye, before bis prepared my little
force. Small as it was, intended to use
it to the best advantage, being determined
rather to die in defence OF my own liber-
~ and those around me, than basely 10
submit to what then supposed to be a
pirate, who would neither respect age nor
sex.
As often as he passed Us we kept the
lights hid that he might.not discover the
weakness of our little force, but always as
sured him OF our friendly character. He
fired three shots at US at different times,
suppose from 8 or iS pound caronades;
and when be was about passing US tor the
twelfth time, and was coming closer than
| wished, hxlled him s. cautioned him not
to approac determined 10 fire in.
to him If he came too close. At 10 +. M.
be gave US his pivot gun, or long tom, (l8
pounder) loaded With round, grape and
language, which shot away much OF our
running and standing rigging. Finding,
now, that no effort OF mine would convince
him OF my friendly disposition and charaC-
ter, and thinking had received gross n>
suit, determined to convince him, that
the star spaugled banner was not to be
treated thus with impunity--and accord.
ingy gave b N our long twelve and all
our muskeI;y, whichso sickened him that
be kept off until day light. Our force be.
ing then apparent, he came within bail,
and said he would send his boat an.
swered be might, provided he did not send
many men in her. His boat, containing
three men and an officer, was accordingly
sent, and one Of my passengers went on
board the schooner. On his return ne IN
formed me that all our shot went into his
main boom and below it-but they would
not acknowledge that any one was wound,
ed. lt being represented that the captain
was sick ! sent him case Of wine, and we
parted without further further ceremy.
american.