Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-26

following ATTRACT, embracing all inc
material points. We have omitted
Captain Warrington's letter altogether
as that was but repetition of the same
facts, with the exception of his com.
plimentary notice Of the officers and
crews.
US. STEAM GALLIoT SEA GULL, !
1Nomgson's Island, .apri! Isl, 1926. 5
SIR: I have the honor to give you a
a detailed account of the late cruise, on
which I sailed from Matanzas imme-
dia,ely after the reception of your or
ders of the 10Th ult. taking with me
the barge Gallinipper.
At Stone Key met his Britannia
Majesty's ship Dartmouth, under the
command of the Hon. Capt. Maude;
and was informed by him, that some
of his boats were then cruising to wind
ward in company with his Britannia
Majesty's schooners Union and Lion;
continued our course, and fell in with
them the next evening at Cadiz Bay.
AS they were also in search of pirates,
but without any particular or certain
information Of their haunts, of which |
was possessed, l deemed it proper to
propose a cooperation; it being per-
fectly understood that was to have the
conducting of the enterprise. This
proposition was cheerfully acceded to,
and requesting that the schnrs. should
not leave Cadiz Bay to go to windward
within three days, l left the Sea Gull
under the charge Of Lieut.. Rudd, and
took with me, independent of the barge,
which was well manned, two small cut
tiers, with five men in each, and, in
company with British barge and two
cutters, under charge Of Lieut.. Ward,
of the Dartmouth, we made the west
ernmost point of the entrance of Sagua
la Grand, where we were detained 4s
hours, in consequence of strong head
winds. The next morning. 25th ult.
the wind abating, we made another Ell
fort, and gained the mouth of the river
Sagua la Grande about noon. At this
place found fisherman, and compel
led him, much against his inclination,
to pilot us to the Key Of Jutia Gorda,
one of the places of our destination,
and about p NJ. deserted the masts
of a vessel lying nearly concealed by
the bushes under said Key; we imme-
diately pushed for her, and when we
approached within hail, she hoisted
Spanish colors, and ordered us to keep
off, or she would fire into US, having
her guns trained and matches lighted,
with which they made several inefec-
tual attempts to fire the gun, pointed
upon the advancing boat-the channel
being very crooked and narrow, the
boats grounded several times; at length
one Of the British cutters succeeded in
passing the bar, and, as two boats a
breast could not approach, the officers
and crews of the others were ordered
to Jump overheard and wade to the
shore; where, taking a commanding
position, on the bank of the inlet in
which she was anchored, and within
twenty yards Other, l ordered her com.
instantly to come on shore, and
not fire at his peril. After much hest
tation and repeated threats to fire upon
us, he obeyed, (by this time every one
on board was in great confusion.) In
stead of coming to me, he, and man
who accompanied him, attempted TO
make their escape; the commander,
however, was seized, but his compa-
Mon fled to the mangrove bushes.
now directed him TO order his colors to
be hauled down, and to surrender his
vessel and crew. He did order his CO.
lors to be struck-but at the same mo-
ment a musket or pistol was fired at
the cutter, then close alongside, which
was Immediately returned, and gene
raj fire ensued; the leader Of the band,
avai!ing himself of the confusion, at |
flight. fired at and wound
ed him; he fell, but rising very soon,
and attempting tofight his way through
our men with long knife, he received
several other wounds, and was retaken.
Many ofthe pirates, in endeavoring to
make their escape by jumping over
board to gain the mangrove bushes,
were shot, whilst others, seeing no
chance of escape, were driven below by
the boarders and musquetry on shore.
On taking possession of her, she
proved to be schr. mounting two 6
Founders on pivots, four large swivels
and several blunderbusses, and COM
pletely equipped for complement of
IS men, which was the least number
she could have on board; as we took
l9 prisoners, and can account for 8
killed; several effected their escape into
the mangrove bushes, and we are in
duced to believe that others were kill
ed, whose bodies are supposed to have
floated out to sea, unobserved, as there
was a strong ebb tide. Among the
prisoners, are wounded, one of whom
is their chief, and calls himself Anto-
Mo Ripol. We were fortunate in hav-
intr huf one man xuoupded Rrifich