Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-03-25

following extract of a letter from an OF.
fcsr of tho ". 8. schooner Shark ,dated
"At anchor OFF Ponto AntOnia del Sarao.
February 10, 1924.
On the 18th ult. we sailed from st.
Jago de Cuba, on the south side OF the
lslaad Of Cuba; after encountering
much bad weather. aud several heavy
gales of wind, (called Nsrthsrs here)
we succeeded 10 landing Nlessrs. An.
drews and Crawford at Alvarado, both
of whom were making preparations to
set out for the city Of Mexico.
We are now at very secure anchor.
nge, distant about 25 miles from Alva-
RADIO, and about l2 miles from Vera
Cruz. rsturued yesterday morning
BY land from Vera Cruz. The city |
found entirely deserted by the monisd
men, who with their proParty and IA
miles mad gone in different directions
into the country. previous to the BON
boardmsnt Of the city by the Castle OF
St, Juan de Ulloa, which, from ac-
counts | had heard previous to my arr
rival there. | expected to have found
completely demolished, but was much
pleased to fnd it was not so: very few
of the houses remain untouched, as
thew are all within the reach of the
Castle, from which 5000 bombs were
shrown into the city, but very few lives
were lost. The castle is very materi.
ally injured: As we had to call on the
Governor before landing at the city, |
had an opportunity Of seeing SOME of
the ruins.
There has been cessation of hostili.
Ties, but no intercourse between the city
and castle, where they must be suffering
very much for fresh provisions; and
from inquiries made by the Governor,
he is anxiously looking out for a rein-
Increment. The country is in very
unsettled state, particularly in the city
of Mexico, where some alarming dis
surbances have occurred, which are at
trlbuted TO Castiliaus who are yet Sc
sretly employed in instigating them.
IIsft Vera Cruz on Sunday after.
noon, mounted on an elegant Mexican
horse, expecting to get to the schooner
by shutdown, but when joined by my
guide, | found him mounted on a little
lack, which no could conveniently have
cerriod on his shoulders, and thought
travelling on fine sand beach it took
rs s hoursto perform a journey that
/ could have gone in three, thus keep
ing mo Gus in q dew as heavy as rain
from 6 ill 10 o'clock, and on dismount-
ing found myself In small village
called Del Sardo, and was soon usher
ed into one of their best habitations,
where about s or 10 Of the natives of
the country had taken thsir lodgings;
they soon came forth with their mu.
chetts their constant side arms) but
with great eiviii,y, my guide speaking
good English, found had nothing to
fear, but a; FIST thought there WAS
some cause, being very improperly un-
armed myse {. They ell offered Tie their
beds, but having suffered 80 much from
Asas and mosquitoes, at Vera Cruz, l
preferred setting up all night.
The waters here abound in fen, and
The country in variety of game.
We pay dearly for every thing we
buy to eat, and in the drinking way
there lie nothing fit to be had at any
price.
Our commander (Stevens) is now at
Alvaraoo on business.
We are all in fine health and spirits.
1t 10 probable we shall return 10 New
York or Philadelph's, 10 April
FEBRUARY l3-iOAM.
Never have J. in the course of nv sea-
farns lie, witnessed so violent storm at
sea as we had esterday. A gentle breeze
from the North, gave us some warning of
It's approach, about hall past II O'Clock
III halt past IT, with three aud all our an
chors ahead, il had increased TO such VIC.
lence. and the schooner last dragging on
lee shore, only about Ii miles distant,
rs the last resort. had 10 slip aud cut our
cable. and pu, out 10 sea; the storm still
inoreas ng, and a most tremendous sea,
gave Us but little hope OF clawing of; but,
thank God, by good management and
great ex, ions, We have escaped the bri-
ny graves, tina, we all last nigh, expected
to have been plunged into; and what made
it still more alarming, there were forty
souls absent from the vessel on duy--the
Captain, Lieut.. Hobbs, and crew of the
cutter, at Alvarado; the launch, with Mr..
Thompson, (the Master the Boatswain,
and Is men, went to the assistance Of an
English schooB. on shore, which they sue
eeeded in getting of, but the gale coming
on so suddenly she was unable to regain
this vessel; the last we saw Of Der she sp.
peared TO be at anchor under . small Is
land called Salmadins, and great fears are
entertained for her safety; the gig was on
shore at he watering place, perfectly safe.
il is now quite moderate, and We are en-