Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-07-15

INTO the boats, and returned 10 the vessels
The only new facts which elected in the cross
examination of Captain Dallas were-that the resent
ing OF the insult TO the American flag the osensi
ole object Of the visit Of Commodore Porter 10 Foxar
DO that near two hund officers and men were landed
mat they were armed with mskes, bayonet. pistols
cutasses, and boarding pixies; that the Spanish force
consisted ot cnty s'.u seventy men ON of
unliorn; that there an individual I'M sot ON the
beach, when the party landed; that the Commodore
dd not consult Captain Dallas prevou To his landing;
anu nat IN the conversation which took place bctw
The Commodore aud the authorizes of Foxardo there
was hothing heard by Captain Dallas, the subject
OF any demand for pirates, property plunGcred by
them.
The examination of Lieut. Charles T. Plat was
then commenced.
Lieut. Patps evidence varied scarcely az all from
that which he gave before the Court of Inquiry lie
stated That was on the 9th of October last that MIR
bedford, a clerk in the employ of Mcssrs. Cabot Bar
icy, Co. commercial agents at St. Thomas came on
board the Beagle with letter, while that vessel was
under Lieut. Platrs command, which letter stated that
those gentlemen had been robbed the night before
OF goods worth at least $1,000. Lieut.. Plat was re-
qnesed IN this letter to go quest of the property
before he assented however, 10 this propositions he went
on shore TO ascertain from the merchants there whether
he would be justified in taking such step. Having
satisfied himself ar possible, that the goods were
sent off TO Foxardo, he took board the clerk of
Messrs Cabot, Bailey s Co. and pilot aud got under
weigh for FoXardo About O'Clock on the evening of
the Goth, the Beagle entered the harbour of Foxarco
with her colours flying. Lieut.. Plat was unable &c
get on shore that night and early the morning the
<'I Il BOAT came alongside with messenger
bringing polite invitation from the Captain the Port
10 Lieut. l!at TO go shore Being fearful lest the
character OF his vessel should be mistaken he took much
pains 10 inform the messenger that she was United
States vessel of war and this nformaticn with the name
OF the vessel, he desired to be communicated TO his
commanding officer. From this man. Lieut. Plat I'M
derstood that the character of his vessel already
known IN the village. On landing, Lieut.. Plat was
tor short time, mpedcd by a set Of ragamufns; but
the respectable part Of the citizens ntcrpoed his be-
ha and procured horses for him and his party pro-
coed to the village Lieut. Plat on reaching the VIII
iage reported himself he had been advised first TO
the Captain of the Port and made known TO him his bu-
slncss and delivered his letter MIR Carnps man.
who from his wealth, stood on high ground of respec-
taollty The Captain appeared TO be satisfied and di-
Teced hIm to call on the .ilcadc. He did So made
similar explanations, and apparently satisfied that Off
Ger also who expressed himself pleased that Lieut.
Fatt had come on shore in citizens dress He seem
ed confident TO the recovery of ic goods and stated
That he thought he might be able to obtain them before
night.
The Court, not seeing the possibility of getting
through Lieut.. Patt's evidence o-night adjourned iii
10 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Third D,ny--Saiarday Jtay9
/ captain Elliot excused account of sickness
no objection being made by Captain Porter
! The proceedings of Yesterday having been cad the
examination of Lieut.. PiaH was resumed as follows
The AIcalde then stated TO that the recovery of
the goods might probably be attended with ex
pense-that ii might be necessary to offer reward
SAID, 1t 1t was necessary to offer reward, was au-
thorlsed to offer reward not to exceed x 600 then
proposed to theAIcaIde the proprety my visiting the
stores with the police and ClersI bad brought with me-
IN order 70 If the goods there could den-
hiy them by means of the clerk AIessrs Cabot and
bailey The Alcalde observed that had very proper
~ come shore in citizens Dress prevent any slis-
pclon Vt was advisable fer 10 90 by myself without
the clerk. then left his Office under the mprcsyion
that the goods would be procured night by the
police of the place. short time after received a
message from the AcaIde, saying that he wished TO see
me at his office. was then already under the impress
sion that he had made some cis,y cries which would
lead to tte recovery of the goods With these impress
sops went over to .iie office with Lieut. Richie and
the pii0 ON my arrival at the Office, inquired of the
Acade whether he had sent for me, and for what pur
pose: was answered by the Captain OF the Port, in
the most insulting, provoking, aggrayang manner pos
sble saying, that he had for himself, for the
purpose of demanding my register, the refusal Of
which he would COninc to prison. told him that l
had already, thought satisfied him the charac-
ter OF the vessel that of "9r had register
snow My commission, my uniform, and colours,
all had TO show the character of nv VESSEL that had
already offered 60 exhibit these and they had appeared
10 be satisfied without it. then expressed my aston
sbment at the of conduct they had pursued
entirely unexpected by and unprecedented: Fur
thermore, considered it duty owed TO myself, my
brother officers, and my country 10 make formal re-
port of their conduct TO Commodore Porter. Lest
however, they might deny having confined me- left the
Office, IN order TO return my vessel that might leave
tue port, not conceiying myself prisoner. had pro-
cceded about rods, perhaps my return to my yes
sci, when was pursued by the Alcalde himself snd
soldiers the Alcalde himself seized by the collar
brought back and placed under sentry's charge
After perhaps hours debate amongst themselves,
inquired of the Alcalde what they to pur-
sue They informed me they not satisfied of my
character; had given evidence Of it: and should
be confined until could produce something, or they
could hear from St Johns. then requested pcrnis
sion to go on board, accompanied by any officer they
might choose to send and would pledge myself to
sy them ofmy character, which they refused. ther
requested that might send Mr. Richie on board, OF
the pilot, and they might keep IN bondage if they
choose. All was denied me-there no chance left
then made another proposition to them. proposed tt
give note TO any officer they might choose send
board, and if he did not return With satisfactory an
9 swer, they could punish in any way they pleased
This they also denied. Perhaps after another hour bat
elapsed they concluded to allow to send Mr.. Bed
ford board to bring my commission, which they sale
+ was all that was required. directed Mr. Bedford
= however, to bring my commission aud uniform
IS So soon Mr. Bedford returned, J produced 4
d them my commission, and put my uniform
They, after consulting again. perhaps for half hour
n pronounced my commission forgery, and myself
IS officers id pack Of liars then, finding mig,
be kept there length Of time proposed going
d some decent lodging whore they might place senr