Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-11
From the New York Gazette.

n gentleman recently arrived iroW 'S'"
Cruz has sent us the following article Tor pub,
LEGATION, which we lay before the public without
comment, leaving the reader to form his own
judgment.
".As the majority Of the people OF the uniteo
States appear to feel an interest IN the opera>
tious OF our brave and meritorious coun'ryman
Com. Porter, and the infant navy which ne mas
undertaken to discipline and improve, we re-
greet 10 state that his utmost endeavors to that
effect have, through The suspicious folly OF Those
in power, proved Intellectual.
The whole Mexican squad, on Consisting OF
the Congress, Libertad, Victoria and bravo)
are now lying in ordinary at Vera Cruz, their
crews all discharged, and not the least proba-
bility OF their being able TO procure men 10 man
them for another cruise. The Commodore, al
ter repeated apple alions 10 the proper autho-
rites, soliciting the payment Of his seamen's
wages, finding his request unattended to and
neglected. at length, on the 28th Of July, order
ed his flag to be hauled down. declaring him
self no longer able to support it. This exam
pie was followed by the remainder Of the squad
ron. The brig Hermon is the only Mexican
vessel now on cruise, and after her return,
which is daily expected, it is not probable that
another Mexican naval vessel will 60 out-a:
least for great length OF Time.
All the foreign officers in the service with
but few exceptions) have rendered their resig>
nations and retired in disgust, without being a.
BILE to obtain their pay, butt instead, certificate,
which is of as much value as the old Con,inen-
tai paper money in the United States. Many
Of these certificates Of the amount Of three hun.
dred dollars have been disposed of for ten. The
Commodore has obtained leave Of absence, and
contempIates paying visit to his native coun-
try, as we understand, in the first vessel that
sails from Vera Cruz.
The Mexicans are growing daily more sus-
picious Of foreigners. A few months since, the
brig Bravo, whilst cruising off the coast Of Gu
ba, captured and sent 10 Vera Cruz beautiful
brig from Cadiz, pierced for fourteen guns
This brig the government refusing TO purchase,
was sold al auction for the benefit Of the cap.
tors, and purchased by rhe Commodore for the
purpose, we believe, of fitting her out as pri-
vateer. Some mean spirited wretch, instigated
no doubt by personal enemy Of the Commo"
dore, (of which he has very powerful ones, both
at Vera Cruz and at Mexico) published an a
nonymous piece in the Noticioso, accusing him
of embezzling the public property for the pur-
pose Of fitting out this vessel, as also Of other
misdeme anors 10, trihing and contemplate
to notice; and the Commodore accordingly
treated them as they deserved by making no re-
ply. Other pieces had previously been pub
lished against him, which were equally false
and unfounded. Such conduct displays the spi-
rit Of jealousy existing amongst them against
foreigners, without whom their navy is Of no
service, as they have not single native officer
capable Of conducting even gun boat. Such
is the wretched state Of the navy az present, the
poor discharged seamen (amougst whom are
- L. Lso, L., l,c Ial 81. h,fr~
rero,) are wandering about The streets Of Vera
sah Nv: apped T 70 Is Eye b is
whilst it is well known fact, that they not on
ly coatrive to pay themselves promptly, but al
so the demands Of the army, which will not be
cajoled and trifled with. A short time since,
three young men Of the first responsibility,
from the United States, and recently officers in
their service, were imprisoned at Vera Cruz,
in room with The vilest criminals. Ii appears
that one Of them being in the streets after hours
at night, was taken up by the guard and put in
the guard house; his two friends on the day fol,
lowing applied 10 the Alcalda for his release,
out being refused aud having urged their ap-
plicaion longer than suited his ideas of res pect
to one OF his exalted station and dignity, they
were all three treated in the most abusive man.
ner, and confined in the common TAIL, and not
outstanding the repeated interference of all
the most respectable foreigners in the place In
their behalf, headed by The Commodore and
American Consul, they were refused their H.
berry, and still remain in prison. Their names
are Messrs. Spotswoed Of Va. Devesac of Lou. |
isiana, and Timmony of Mississippi. Such is
the reward of those who have fought and bled |
in their ungrateful service"