Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-02-14

a sail, which they brought US just as the sun
was setting.
We were in a small boat, 5 fee, long, that
leaked consideraby-not drop of water or a
mouthful Of food-ony their pantaloons and
Jackets to protect US from the cold of the north
ern and heavy dews. We had no quadrant or
COM mass, although we had three muskets and
three cutlasses to guard us from the assaults OF
the pirates. We estimated that the main land
Of Cuba, south Of US, was not more than 100
miles distant, and some of the Islands Oft 1t
might not be over 70 or so miles, although that
part of the Island was notorious for pirates.
The surf rolled in en- each side of us-at
times broke almost under us; dashing on the
rocks to our right, towards which we were at
times propelled to within or 10 feet-we
we're suspended from the point by small line
not larger than my finger, and if this parted we
should be Immediately upon the rocks. ne
night was cold, and it was only by keeping
closely hudded together and wrapped in the
old canvass given us by the islanders, that we
kept our teeth from chattering AT length the
day light, so much desired, came, and the wind
seemed, as the sun rose to abale. We fitted
our sail. and, as soon as one of the islanders
came, begged for few birds. He brought us
seven noddies, which were, when picked, about
The size Of Robin. An affecting interview
down to the rock to beg 10 be taken off, and
telling us their captain had expired in the night.
We could not receive them, as our boat alrea-
DIV leaked, and we had not room for ourselves
to lay down in her. We therefore bid them a
dieu, promising TO send them relief, if possible,
and then stood away South West over the Key
c, ,<le ('nh. h,,, in
the day time and stars by night. We went
rapidly on, 4 or miles an hour. About In
the evening we Judged ourselves to have left
Key Sal Bank, and at day light next morning
we made islands on the coast OF Cuba about go
miles to the Eastward of Matanzas We ran
along these till about 8, when not being able to
weather some Of them, we attempted to run
between Just afterwards schr hove in sight
outside, and about the same time we found our
selves pursued by TWO boats from the Eastward.
The wind began TO fail US, and we had 10 lake
to our oars, at which we all pulled until in
the afternoon, when they gave up the chase -
We made for the land, as we were perlshing
with fatigue and thirst. At 4 we got to it, and
fortunately went directly to watering place.
We refreshed ourselves, made fire, cooked
and ate our birds, and then at o'clock started
and run out of the bay. During the night we
we're enveloped in shoals and islands, and at
O'Clock had to make fast. When day came we
found ourselves close upon two boats, which
were not the same saw the day before, as
they Immediately made sail and ran from us,
in the belief, as we supposed, that ours was
man Of wars boat; but we we're now too much
alarmed to attempt going further among the
islands, and determined TO land and find our
way to the highlands. We got in again about
9 O'Clock, landed and attempted to get through
the busbes but in vain. We found only swamps
and marshes before US. In two hours we came
back to our boat, where we killed two ducks,
and then returned again to our watering place
and refreshed On our way saw another boat,
which did not modest us. We now found
barrel which we coopered and half filled with
water, and afterwards al shutdown, we again at
tempted to find our way through the islands to
the sea- We pulled away all night to the north
ward, but on Friday morning we still found
islands outside. So we ran 10 the westward in
an open sound, where we saw boat; but we
chased her with drag behind US so as 10 let
her escape At6P. NJ. we saw an opening to
the sea, where we ran through and made fast
outside, on the edge Of shoal, till morning.
We then saw more islands and more shoals
and boats. One boat chase US, came up and
reconnoitred close to, and then left US. At
ength, at about 10 o'clock, We found ourselves
at sea, though in starving stale. We howev-
er had duck we had shot, and we determined
to make fire in the bottom of our boat and
cook it; which, after much difficulty and some
risk, we effected, and satisfied our hunger The
breeze was favorable and strong, with which
we ran directly for Matanzas, and got into the
harbor about O'Clock We got to the Gram
pus schr and l was from thence sent to this
vessel, to Capt NJ. T. Woolsey, who COM
mands in the absence of Com. Warrington. He
received me very kindly, and promised TO carry
me to Havana next day"
Zone Of the y S. schrs has sailed from Ma
tanzas for the relief Of the unfortunate survi-
vors ]-PaRad.
Extract of Letter ofFeb z 1926, from Thomas JET.
ferson, to member of the General Assembly OF
Virginia.
81 have been very much mortified by the
publication in the Enquirer OF the 4th, oil two
letters from some person, called an American
citizen, who seems to have visited Mr.. Madison
and myself, and has undertaken to state private
conversations with us In one Of these he
makes me declare that had Intentionally pro-
ceeded in course Of dupery Of our Legislature,
teazing them, as he makes me say for 6 or
sessions for sucot ssive aids to the University,