Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-12
From the Norfolk Beacon of May 81

From the Norfolk Beacon Of May9.
LATE FROM THE w. T. SQUADRON.
The arrival here, yesterday, OF the
U. S. ship Decay, lieut.. comd't M. P.
Nix, in the short passage of seren days
from Matanzas, has put us in possession
of very late intelligence from our West
India Squadron, for which we are in
debted to the officers Of the Decoy, and
the attention of friendly correspond
ent at Matanzas.
The Decoy sailed from Newly rk on
the 2sth Of December last, for ThomP-
sons Island, touching at st. Jago dc
Cuba and Havana, since which the Off
GERS and crew generally have enjoyed
good health, and have returned home
with good stock Of that first Of earth
ly blessings. She sailed from Key
West on the 10th of April, with 10
convalescents, and four pirates, (the
captain, surgeon and two men wound
ed in the encounter with the Sea GuA
and British boots-rhe pirates to be
delivered up TO the Governor Of Hava-
ma. The piratical captain died OF his
wounds, on the passage.
Information by this arrival confirms
the intelligence before published by us,
that Key West was very sickly during
the months of February, March and
April; the mortality, at the same time,
very great among the residents OF
Thompson's Island, and there was ve-
nv little Improvement in this respect to
the period of the Decoy's sailing
Surgeons mate JOSEPH B. SrlLLMAN,
temporarily in charge of the Y. S. ma
val hospital at Key West, we regret
to learn, is among the victims to thai
inhospitable climate. He died on the
2Sth March-.fve yeaes having expired
on that day since he entered the navy.
He was native Of Massachusetts,.
The pirates recently captured by the
Sea Gull and British boats, We learn,
would probably be tried at Havana by
a military commission.
We understand that duel was
fought at Key West on the 18th ult.
between lieut.. comd't. McINTosH and
lieut.. VARNuM, in which the latter was
slightly wounded.
The Hornet, capt. KENNEDY, sailed
from Matanzas 25th April on cruize
TO windward, to relieve the Gramp,es.
The schr. Foe, lieut.. Cook, from this
port, arrived at Matanzas on Sunday,
oath ult. and was despatched next day
on a short cruize.
The Terrier, from Thompson's ISL
and, was going into Matanzas as the
Decoy came out.
The Sea Gull and the brig Spark,
lieut.. comd't NEWTON, were the only
u. S. vessels at Matanzas when the
Decoy sailed, the officers and crews OF
which, as well as those Of the squad
ron generally, were in fne health.
The Spark arrived at Matanzas on
the 2lst ult. after disagreeable cruize
down the Main, and having landed MIR.
Bolton (who went out, as we under
stand. for the purpose of surveying
the line for canal across the S. A.
continent) about lst April at ST. Johns
River in Costa Rica. She would be
despatched, as soon as she could be
watered, to scour the coast, i'll search
of pirates.
The following officers have returned
in the Decoy:
MERvINE p. MIX, lieut.. comd't.
Lieutenants-Ab'm. S. Ten Eock,
VIM. Portenger.
Sailing Master-Portcr.
Surgeons Mate-Henry w. Basset.
Midshipman-W. 81. Washington.
.Gunner-Thos. Stanley.
VIM. Alexander, Marine, (of Phila-
delphia) and James Sears, purser's
steward, (of BALTIMORE died on board
the Decoy, on her passage TO this port.
Our correspondents at Matanzas, un-
der date of the 2Sth April, writes, "the
schooner Decatur, from Philadelphia,
arrived here on Sunday, (24th) bring
ing advices Of the great demand for
Coffee and other produce of these ISL
ands, and the advance which they had
experienced. This has caused great
speculations both here and at Havana.
The articles have consequently risen.
At Havana coffee has advanced fre and
here three cents per pound.
"The convoy service by the U. S.
cruisers is rapidly improving. We
hear nothing now Of Pirates, and are
in hopes, when few more U. S. YES
sells arrive OH this station, they will be
watched too closely to permit them to
escape from their lurking places.
"The schr. Rodman, (of Nvarren) ar
rived here last evening, in IL days
from New-York, and there are many
other American vessels in port, list
of which want OF time prevents my
sending you" ID.