Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-19


came iD again and succeeded in setting
her on fire, and she was soon enveioped
in flames, The A mericans sent their
boats and cut her cables, when she
drifted on. for short distance. but the
tide turning, she drifted directly ina.
mong the shipping. The gun.boat at
tempted in vain to sink her.
The A merican vessels, viz. the ships
Canton, China, Providence and Huron,
and briggs Herald, Ontario and Freder-
ick, were most of them in the greatest
danger, and it was by the utmost exer-
lions they were saved by cutting 1and
slipping their cables. The fire soon
communicated to the Santa Rosa sioop
Of war and several large Patriot ships
which were soon in flames. The slooP
of war was sunk before the fire reach-
ed her magazine, bot not before her
guns, doubled shotted, we're discharged
at random, as they became heated.
Guise's frigate was short distance
outside, under way, but it being CAIN,
his intention of taking shelter behind
the shipping and firing into the town
and castles was frustrated. Had ne
succseded in his attempt most II not all
the vessels must have been destroyed.
The American vessels had succeeded
in warpiug and towing out Of the dan
ger of being exposed to the ire OF the
batteries and gun boats, when Gulses
boat came in and took several in tow
When within musket shot Of the ship
he opened fire on the A americans who
| were ell near each other with their co.
lours flying, and out of reach of the
guns Of the castles, and while they were
still towing and warping out.
The Captain Of the Providence went
on board Guise's ship, and during the
firing asked Guise, what he meant by
firing at the Americans. His answer
was damn them, IW sink them aIl,'
Sc. he did not desiss until he had fired
nearly all his broadside. All his shot
went amongst and over the Americans.
One "a ID. shot struck the ship China's
bows and set her leaking very badly.
He then sent his boat with orders for
the A americans to move further out i'm.
mediately or he would sink them all,
who then bent some of their sails and
got out as we'll IS they could.
On the following day the Americans
| were all ordered over to the Island of
ST. Lorenzo, under his guns, where the
Providence and Herald were detained,
SaI - r. Ion t,a Ap
His pretence for OBTAINING these two
vessels was because they had defended
Themselves against his boats and killed
one or two of his men and wound
ed several more. He said they had no
reason to expect bis boats to answer
hail, and asserted his rights to 60 on
board. He also acknowledged that one
man was killed on the Herald's deck.
The vessels, Guise said, were good
prizes, as be was determined the Court
of Admiralty, established by Bolivar
at Truxiilo, should respect the rights of
his squadron, and condemn the vessels
He prohibited their having any commu
nication with the other vessels, where
documents could be procured for their
defence. He said he had taken his own
affidavit. & that was sufficient for him.
He then sent an officer and ordered
a passenger to leave the Herald, and
ordered her to be ready for sea in two
DAYS. On the following day he made
it known that he would release the yes
sells if the demands of his officers and
crews were satisfied. They estimated
the danger to which they had been ex-
posed at $4,000 for the Herald and s.
900 for the Providence, slledgi her to
be a more valuable ship; and to save the
specie and cargo from the bands of these
lawless pirates, the sum was paid. The
crew of the Providence was taken out
and prize master and crew put on
board, and they were getting her under
way, and their demand of $4,000 was
satisfied. On the following day the
admiral sailed taking with him several
neutral vessels against which he had no
claims.
Thus has the American flag been in.
suited by set Of adventures, who, un
der the protection of the PEI uvian flag,
seek to legslise their robberies, leaving
the sufferers to look for redress to go.
yernment without honor, and without
resources, and who have at this moment
only nominal existence. 1t is only by
the most dec ded measures that for her
depredations can be prevented and our
commerce protected.
THE POPE AND THE BIBLE SOCIETY.
The following is extracted from the
Pnne,s Enclyciic letter sWhai shalt /