Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-08

boarded detained vessel bearing it's flag, AID
tina, he has given the mos positive orders o.
| commanding officers not TO do 80 We ar. bsp-
py understand, also III 4 all the reports w,c
| have been in circulation. of his having been de
feated by the superior 70, &c of his enem, OF h
men having mu,inled, deserted, murdered then F..
| icers, &c. are all without foundation; and tta',
on the contrary, The M-xican Squadron is il, as,
high state OF discipline and subordinaiion as in-
deed it has been tor some time past, and tina, Il is
| now ready for sea at a moments warning.
We also learn tina, he position taken b, the
"mmodore at Key West, is as much a matter
| OF choice as it HIS been supposed to be of nec-s
sity. On the 18th oil February, the Commodor,
put O with his whole squadron consisting Of
frigate of 40 guns, twp hriss one of Is and one
OF 20 guns. and Schooner of S. The enemy's
-quadron of The port consisted OF TWO frigates &
| the first class and one brig cf 20 guns The
Mexican squadron had 10 beat up against (, strong
wind and tide TO cross the reef and reach he
| enemy. and when it succeeded in coming within
1--WE miles of the enemy, he set all sail and was
soon out Of sight: night coming and the passage
OF the reef being difficult in the dark the squadron
returned to its former anchorage. So much for cap
| ture and blockade but the apprehension of the
frend- of our gallant countryman for his situation,
will be removed by the perusa OF the annexed lei
tiers, and by the statement of prizes taken by his
squadron from which il appears that he has been
With regard to the statement which has been
| generally pu' lished of the American ship Canton
having been boarded by the Commodore's Fri
gate, he Lbertad, we IRE assured, that such was
MOI the fact. The Canton was in company with
| the Hurcules Gaditano at The time she was cap
tured, and the first know ledge the Commodore had
| OF the captain y being board was when he pre-
sented himself to the Commodore in the cabin of
the Lber'sd, where he had come voluntarily.
bringing with him his letter bag for the Commo-
dore's examination, which he, the Commodore.
declined.
The following the Officers of Porter.
Squadron Com. David Porter; LIST Lieu. Ds
vId II Porter, Commander of The Libsrtad; Jose
| Maria Machin, Captain of the Victoria; VIM a
Wyse, Captain OF the Bravo; Juan NulE, Cap ain
OF the Hermon.
! The Sand Key Light House is nearly finished:
the lantern is raised, and will soon be in complete
| order.
1--we ~chooners, prizes to the Mexican Soua.
dro", were LING In Key West on the 2Ist inst.
Oh which one IS used as prison ship Courier.
| 10 his Excellency Don Francisco Dionisio Wives
Captain General and Governor of the Island If
Cuba.
Merican Frigote. Libertad,
Key Vest, Jan. I'd, 1927
Most Excellent Sir have the honor TO inform
your Exceliency, that have this day set al liberty
the master, mate, and % sea,Den COMPOSING Nh.
| crew OF the Spanish merchant brig the Hercules
! Gaditano, together with five eccie,iastics . ho
ware passengers in it. making altogether SO indi-
| viduas.
In this proceeding act coniormably 10 the
| pure and humane -prit which animates the Gov
eminent which have the honor 10 serve; and il is
highly gratifying TO me to furnish this proof, tina
the war which il is compelled 10 carry on is for
piIncpeJ and not Tor The unjust ifisble purpose of
| causing unnecessar, suffering to persons engaged
| honorable 1c I
Induced to take this step from The firm persuasion
that your Exceency will not fail to release an e..
quail number of Mexican O. lumbar prisoners:
Or That II you have not this number presen' in
your power, that you will do so whenever The
fortu"e OF war shall alto you the opportunity.
Governed by he-e principles, also transmit 10
your Excellency the letters which zee foucd on
board the Hercules Gadltano, that your ExcelIen
cy may cause them to be delivered 10 the indyidu
ais 10 whom they severally addressed as no
advantage will result 10 the Mexican Government
from the detention Of them, they do not treat
OF political matters, but are purely of a friendly
and private character. On board the squadron
undet my command, / sill retain as prisoners. the
master, mate and six cen persons belonging 10 the
Spanish schooner Monte neza, which have car.
tured, and hicb proved TO be a slave trader. as
cargo OF slaves had been landed from her OH the
coast OF Cuba, immediately preceding her capture
as no advantage would resrlt 10 The Goyernmen
| OF Mexico by lberating them, ! doubt whether
can with rToprieIy do 80, unless previously r..
ceive from your Excellency, a positive securit,
that they will moi he permitted return TO re-en.
gage in the traffic. If, therefore, your Excellency
has an equal number OF Mexican or Colombian prl-
soners TO hberate N exchange, / will place them
al the disposal OF your Excellence to b. dealt wi
asreesbly to your judgmen; but il this offe should
not be accepted, deem II as much a duty o Ve
to The Mexican Government as to humanity, to
send them to Vera Cruz here TO avail, the Justice
and determination Of my Government. The pas
sage OF the prisoners of The Hercules Gaditano
Will be paid by me, and trust that you will reci-
p-ocate by paying for the passage of the Colon
bian or Mexican prisoners that you may send T.,
his port Any communication hat you NAV be
pleased to honor me with, will find me a, this
place.
pray you TO accept the assurance of nv high
re-pecf and consideration, &c
(Signed) DAVID PORTER,
Commando in Chief of the Squadron of
the United States of Mexico.
To His Excelency the Commander in Chief Of the
Naval Forces of the Island of Cuba
.Heriean Frigate Lbertad
Key West, Feb. 5. 1927
Most Excellent Sir On the Cd OF January. +
had the honor OF addressing 10 hi. Exceency the
Captain General and Governor of he Island of
Cuba, the letter OF which the enclosed is copy.
As have not received a reply to il, supoose
that this circumstance has arisen from nv having
addressed it to him, instead of addressing il to ynLr
ExcelIency. have now the honor OF Informing
your ExcelIency, that I hold az prisoners of war.
masters Of vessels, 1 mate, IL passengers and
A. seamen and boys These propose to release
for an equal number of Mexican or CoI,,,Li..