The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-31
ROYAL SPREE AT CARTIiAGENA.

L he New Jersey lNtwark Eagle OF FIJI
day last, gives the following statement on the
authority of an individual lately arrived from
South America. AS no accounts of the oc-
currenccs mentioned in this extract have be-
fore reached us and as the occurrences them
selves are such as could not be kept secret we
are inclined to believe that the informant Of
the Eagle must have gathered his informa-
ton from rumor, and that investigation will
show the statement to be either wholly un-
true. or greatly ggerated:-Journak.
While was at Carthagena, "a small city
of about 5000 inhaitants, $4,000 Soldiers
were cantoncd in and around 1t. The crew
shipped to take out the La Plata, amounted
to 1870 men, On going ashore, / g. men were
murdered the first night, and nearly one half
robbed Of their money in the open streets of
the city. They are far from being brave,
which is generally the case with villains; as
proof OF which, subJoin the following ac-
count of battle which took place between
about 10 of the crew of the La Plata, and
three hundred of the black soidiery. They
had attempted and succeeded in pressing in
to their naval service, nearly one half of our
crew, and myself with difficulty escaped a
floating prison. On the afternoon that the bat
tie took place, man who had acted as quar-
ter-mastcr in the ship was taken by about
half dozen soldiers, Who were conveying
him to the transport. About 30 of the crew
were collected in front of the American Con-
SUBS Office and the soldiers, with their
prisoner, passed directly by us. He cried
for help, and we determined to rescue him
or die i'll the attempt. In IA moment he was
free, and the soldiers severely beaten The
city being filled with them, many hearing
the clamor, came to their assistance, and We
soon found that we had to contend with d for
midable opposition.
We continued in front Of the American
Consnl's and begged him to interfere, and
protect US; but he said it was out af his pow
er; intimatlng that we had commenced the
fray ourselves; as much as to say, if they
press you they may; shall NOT trouble my
self about it. Indeed have heard it remar-
ked by mercantile gentlemen in the city, that
they believed the American Consul was paid
by the Columbian government for being pas
siye. The boatswain Of the ship, Mr.. Knox
then put himself at our head, and being ion-
ed by more of the crew and, about twenty
Enylishmen, We numbered about 70, armed
with clubs and stones. The Soldiers were
collected to the number of 800, armed with
muskets and sabres, and commenced the at
tack at charge. But they had to deal with
Yankees instead OF the slaves OF Ferdinand
Our line received them with spirit, drove
them back, and were ordered to charge in
our turn,
The sailors rushed upon them with the fu-
ry ot tigers, sabres and bayonets presented
no impeachment; they broke and fed, and in
two minutes, nearly one hundred of them lay
stretched upon the ground. There were ma
ny broken arms and heads, and though none
we're killed outright several died the next
day The city authorities by this time were
out, and in concert with the military officers
restored order. The result Of the battle was
that there were no more Americans pressed.
and all in the shipping were suffered to come
on shore; as we had signihed our intention
to the city lntendant, Of boarding them un-
less our countrymen were released; and from
the specimen we had just given them Of our
prowess, they thought it best to comply With
the demand.