Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-16

By last evenings steamboat from Norfork
the editors of the Baltimore american received
from their attentive correspondent of the Nor
folk Herald the following letter, detailing
most horrible case Of
PIRACY AND MURDER.
The brisantine Crawford, Captain Henry
Brightman, belonging to Troy, Mass sailed
from Mstanzas on the 2Sth ult. with cargo
forNcw York, and eight passengers, four of
whom a Frenchman and three Spanish sailors)
on the first of June, about midnight rose upon
the captain, crew and remaining passengers,
and SLAUGHTERED all except three, viz
he mate, Mr.. Edmund Dobson, of Somel
set, Mass. the cook, and French gentleman
passenger. They also stabbed the mate, but
he having ran aloft, where he remained during
the night, they spared his life in consideration
of the assistance he might render them as q.
navigator After completing their bloody and
revolving task, the Frenchman took the COM
Jnand Of the vessel, destroyed her papers and
colors, and substituted complete set OF Span
ish papers which they had brought on board
with them, purporting that the vessel was
Spanish, and that she had cleared at Matanzas
for Hamburg. Aware that it would be neces-
sary to increase their stock of provisions for
European voyage, they tried to get into St
Mary's to obtain supplies, but the wind setting
them off, they were unable to fetch into port
until they made the CaPcs OF Virginia, which
they did on Tuesday morning when they were
boarded by pilot, who understanding Their
object to be TO obtain provisions with the least
possible delay, advised them 10 put IN at VA
Pon, Comfort as the most convenient place,
and they accordingly anchored there about SIX
O'Clock on Tuesday evening.
Mr.. Dobson, the mate from whom the lore
going particulars are obtained, states That on
anchoring, the pirate captain ordered him 10
have the boat lowered and brought alongside,
as he intended TO go ashore at the FONT He
&C srdingy got into the boat, and as soon as
she was lowered 10 the water, he cast OF the
teaches, seized an oar and sculcd away Tor the
shore, the pirate calling after him and asking ii
he was going to be'ray him! on landing, the
mate related the above particulars to several OF
the officers of the Fortress, who were Tor some
time doubtful as TO the probability OF the story;
but on his mentioning that the name oil the yes
sci on the stern had been obli'erated, apt Dana
ordered boat and rowed off 10 the vessel TO as
certain if such was the fact Before he had
reached the vessel, however, he was hailed from
her by the pilot, and informed that the pirate
capt had cui his throat The three Spaniards had
little before by some finesse, got possession OF
boat from a neighboring vessel, and made
their escape to the Elizabeth Civ shore, where
due diligence has been used 10 effect their ar-
prehension. Captain Dana and his boats crew
boarded the vessel and kept possession OF her
until she was delivered over TO the custody OF
Mr.. Westwood, the custom house othcer al
Hampton, 10 whom Col. Gratiot had IN the first
instance sen, information, and she has been sent
up to Norfolk An inquest was held on the
body OF the pirate captain, whose name was
believed from his papers, to have been 1ierdn-
der Tardy) which was the next morning inter-
red The Beach.
OF the victims of the blood-,hrsty monsters who
wrought bis horrible eatasrophs the following par
ticlars are drained from Mr. Hobson, nc rate of the
Crawford.
Captain Henry Brig!tman, of Troy, Mass stabbed
and thrown overheard.
lisa BiekneH seaman, Of Connecticut shot thrown
| ovr rboard,
Joseph Dolrer. do. OF Salem, Mass 'hfoa' cut anu
thrown overheard.
OErer Potter. do ofWestport, Mass stabbed despe-
ratev but escapng from his butchers ran up to the
mast head where he remained, until exhausted by the
loss of blood, he fell to the deck and EXPIRED
Nathan -, do. jumped oveFboard' and was some
time afterwards nearQ GAZING lOi P''''.
he thrown to him; but the demons regarded HIM not
Mr. Norman Robinson, of Connecticut, passenger
and part owner of the cargo Jumped out OF the e"''
window and was drowned ,,
An Irishman, [name notrecollected] murdered while
lying in his birth. b.. tr,d. from prov;.
dence r. l. who had been following his business Tor
some time at Matanzas, was killed and thrown over
| board -
AN ACT
Al. niE,,rc ofth he CorDOratiOn