Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-23
From the Ndlionai journal.
WEST INDIA SQUADRON.


readers the grounds for such opinion we have taken
pains TO obtain accurate information the sub
juct which enables lay before them the following
sketch OF The operations OF the squadron which, under
hi; orders has been cruising in the West India seas.
Tie u. s. Brig Spark.
According 10 orders from Commodore WARRINGTON
dated 30h April, 1925, the U. s. Brig Spark under
Lieutenant Connandant John IT. New ton cruised for
three months on the south side of Cuba In going roud
the island and from Cape Antonio TO the Isle of Pines
Lieut.. Newton made diligent search after pirates but
without success. Anchorug in Matanzas Bay on the
lth OF May, he dispatched his boats to examine the
island and all the adjacent Keys in search of praca
hauuts; but after absence of nine days the boats re-
turned without having found any trace, of suspicious
establishments. Lieut.. Newton then proceeded 10 ST
Jago dc Cuba anchored there the 18th of June took
in water there, and sailed thence to Trinidad making
strict search with his boats all along the coast from Care
Cruz to Trinidad The Spark reached Trinidad on the
23h June, where her boats reoued her. having found
no persons nor haunts which could excite suspcou-
At this island the park detained until the 26th of
July, III consequence of Lieut.. Newton, his officers.
and men, being attacked with severe sickness which
occasioned the loss of four Daring his stay at
trinidad, and IN pursuance of instructions from Com
molore NarringtoIs Lieut. Newton made inquiry res
pectne alleged deprodations on American by
Colombian privateers, and learned that a Colombian
prVatecr had annoyed the commerce of the United
States by nerceptiug and taking with her boats large
iigher-oads of produce purchased BY American mer
chants coming down the river from the Plantations
find this pryateer unsuccessful. Leaving Trin
DAD on the Goth Of July, the Spark touched at Thonp
sons Island for provisions and arrived Maanzas on
the 9th of August
The q. s. Ship John adams.
The John Adams, under the command of Captain ].
j. Nicholson examined the coast of Cuba from Porto
de Nlariel TO the the Iro del Cavannas. At the lat
ter place, Captain Nicholson dispatched 1t. Crimke
with the launch and first cutter and 81 men, 10 search
from Bahia Honda to Cape ST. Antonio keeping within
the Colorados reef. Nothing was discovered by the
boats, during this expedition, except party of Is or
70 men, well armed, AT La hulatto but they had
license signed by the Governor, interruption was
offered to them. After absence of nine DAYS the
boats reJoined the ship ST. Antonio on the 9Th OF
July.
Tie Z. S. Stean Gulliot Sen G4U
Lieutenant Commandant J. M'keever, having left
Lieut. Paine in command of the Terrier at NTatanzas,
To give conveys Sc sailed with the Sea Gull on the nh
of February last with the barge Gallinipper in tow as
far 10 the eastward Key Cruz del Padre Ordering
Lieut. Cunningham to return to Signapa Bay with the
Sea Gull, Lieut.. Mkeever then manned the barge and
gig, and went with them explore the river Palma
and the whole coast Point Yeacos. Having perform.
cd ms service without finding any objects of suspicion
1t. hPCeevcr reoined the Sea Gull. We snbion the
following description given of the Rio Palma, on &C.
count OF the uncertainty which have prevailed
TO the situation and character of this river The Rio
Pana having frequently been sought for by our squad
ron in vain, has been therefore suspected than
other parts of the coast better known AT its mouth
there is not than II or Is inches water but the
mud is SO soft that boats of much greater draf NAV
be forced through it, In the river the depth of The
water is from % TO fathoms to the Enbarcedera dis
ant about miles; and near lis head where the great
est breadth does not exceed 80 feet the anggoye and
other trees, IN many places, Joining head After
an unsuccessful search OF this and coast, the Sea
Gull returned 10 AlatanZas al the end Of February-
From that time until June, Lieut.. M'keeyer was en-
ployed in careful examination of the coast and Envs
between Nlatanzas and San Juan de los Remedies
without meeting WITH or hearing Of any thing pracal
or suspected 20 be Much of this service was
performed by Lieutenant Mheeyer in the boats of the
Sea Gull, which examined all the Keys and coast from
Fhguna la Crandc to San Juan dc los Remedies whch-
er ii was presumed that pirates might be lurking. On
reloinng the Sea Gull the barges again sent in
side the Keys, and down to Cadiz Bay and Padre del
Cruz which examined; the entrance of Rio Pa l.
ina a nj Signapa Bay again Overhauled and the
barges returned to the Sea Gull al Key Mona from
whence, at the close Of the mouth, Lieut.. Mkeever
anchored OF Natanzas. During this cruise not a single
trace of pirates discovered The fishermen were
pursuing their occupations, and and several RATS off
timber, the transportation of which had heretofore
been IN great measure suppressed, fallen in with
The naunts which bad been destroyed during former
visits from the squadron, did not appear to have been
since occupied. Between Camrioca and SaruDa Ia
'arande, but two huts discovered both of which
were occupied by men who had long resided in them;
and who although suspected formerly ofhavng favored
the pirates, well disposed towards our squad
rom as they had been frequently plundered by tue pi-
rates TO supply their wants British frigate 1.-THE Irsl
had been also employed month on the same station,
examining the coast with her boats.
The L. S. Ship Hornet
The Hornet, under the command of Captain E. P. |
Kennedy, employed from Christmas until the month
of March last in searching the on the south side
Of Cuba. In the performance of this duty the launch
and first cutter, the former under The command of the
First Lieutenant Mr.. Forrest and the other command
I'd by 1t Dorwin sent TO search the vicinity the
Isle Of Pines. These boats proceeded 10 examine the
river Caxagua, where boat discovered among The
nangrove bushes much concealed as to render if
difficult 10 examine her contents, which consisted of
uusket and pistol n and pair of duck trousers
stained with BLOOD The letters p r. we're OH the stern off
the boat, which was English American built Pene
iratug little INTO the Interior through some mangroye
bushes and deep samps, several huts were discovered
without any Inhabitants, and the soil around which
showed no marks Of cultivation In these huts were
found several bags OF ST. Domingo coffee CARTRIDGES
for 9poundcr balls for 6pouudcr musl1et and pis
tOl balls, and fllnts; quantity of loose rovyder and
several CopybJOls, written in English ALoupb there
strong f)r believing that this was prat
cal establishment and that it belonged TO that rang
which robbed the French ship Calypso Lieut. Forrest
rcfraned from DESTROYING tiem immediately and re-
turned to hs boats. On the evening boat was
seen coming out Of the bushes, containing four mon