Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-01
BY THE STEAM BOAT.

We received yesterday, by the steamboat,
the Ncw-York papers of Thursday evening.
The following is the only article of Importance:
I'VE are indebted for the following to our
correspondent of The Charleston Courier:l
DESPERATE NAVAL BATTLE.
by the schooner Lily, Captain Sawyer, ar
rived this day, from Key West, we learn that
the dsmasted brig, in tow or Spanish frigate,
going INTO Havana, Oh the 18th instant, seen
by Capt. Talbot, of the Miles StandIsh, was
The Mexican Brig Of War, Guerrero, late Capt
David ii. Porter From Capt. Sawyer, and
letters we have seen from Key West, we gath
er the following particulars:-
On the 18th instant, Information was received
at Key West, from Havana, that the Guerrero
had on tho 9th, fallen in with and captured,
after short engagement, two Spanish Guinea
| man Brigs, which she manned. On Sunday,
the 10th, she fell in with two Spanish man of
war Briggs, the Marte and Maria Amalia, ono
OF IL guns nd lS0 men, the other Of 10 guns
and i3O mon, both Of which she beat; they
succeeded, however. In making their escape
into MarIel. The Guerrero mounted 22 guns,
and had crew of 80 men. In this engage
ment, she suffered much in her spars and rig
ging, and 1t was supposed the Spanish loss was
very heavy.
| The firing, in this action, was heard in Ha-
vana, when the frigate Lealtad, of 81 guns
and 800 men, Immediately pu, to sea- She in
sald to be remarkably fast sailer, and the
brig beng IN very ctippled Stale, was soon
| overiaken by the tlgate, when despel ate
| hight ensued which lasted TWO HOURS AhD
| TWENTY MINUTES, OnC hour and u quarter
| of rhich time, he ftp0 reSselS ,ceye ,rithin
spe"hiag distance. Daring the cnga cement,
The co,ois OF the Guerrero were tsIle shot
away and replaced. The two previous en-
gagenen's, nnd Tins long and close fght, ex-
hansied thc whole of the powder and shot Of
ne IT, vi ras consequence, size ceased
llfi"g, 'nd Reing 80 cr4p.ru III spars aud :ig-
g'ng, Capt. Porter de,erniGcG 10 strike his
colors. The trigate, supposing they were again
shot away, continued her fire, and it was after
the brig had surrendered, that Capt, Porter
was Killed, by grape shot passing through
I bis body.
Thus fell Capt. d. II. Porter, fter as gal
lant battle as history records Snch conduc!
deserved II better fate. We cannot AVOID feel
my pr,de Of country IN recording so gallant
an exploit, periarmedby an American, although
he was engaged in foreign service at war
with nation with whom we are a, peace.
We learn the Guerrero lost 40 men killed,
the number of woHnieG moi known. The loss
of the Srar',rdS - said to be neat 2GD men.
and rigging. Capt ID. II. Porter was the
nephew of the Commodore. The latter had a
son on board the G.
Lieut., Thompson, Surgeon Bordman, and
young Porter, son Of the Com nodore, were
put on board guard ship al Havana.
public funeral was preparing at Havana.
for Capt. ID. H. Poror. Al Key We.t, ,he
Herman Mexican brig fred minute guns, sc.
a letter from Key West states, "the Her
man IS now in port, and IS determined 10 give
go C|esiida frgdt1 t,.al. S,Ie was in ga,
yesterday. Capt. Hawkins is a gallant olacor.
| and does not want FOR mon; should she take
US. il will not be for the want Of ammunition"
The III. sailed on a cruise the same day the
| Lily left Key West.
The brig George, Lord, (of Kennebunk,) }
from New-OrIeans for Boston, with cotton,
sugar. &c. got on Tcrtugas, lightened by fish
ing smacks, and taken to Key West, where
part of her cargo was sold TO pay salvage,
(S2s,oOo) and she proceeded on her voyage
on the 18th inst
Il was healthy at Key West, except fever
and ague.