The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-07-22

! at the rate Of ten knots an hour, under
close reefed topsais, leaving their unhappy
messnates 10 their inevitable fate. Those
OF the pirates who were lately executed at
Cadiz, declared that every soul in the boa,
| persisted.
The drunken uproar which that night
regned in the pirate ship was in horrid
nlson with the raging elements around her,
contention and quarrelling following the
brutal ebriety Of the pirates; each evil spir
1t sought the mastery Of the others, and
Soto's, which was the fend Of all, begsnto
grasp and grsppls for its proper place
the head Of such a diabelical community.
The mate (now the chief at once gave
the reins to his ruffian tyranny; and the
keen eye Of Soto saw, that he who had
fawned with him the day before, would
next day rule him with an iron rod. Prowpt
in his actions ss he vas penetrating in hs
judgment. he had no sooner conceived
jealousy for the leader, than he determined
to put him aside; and as his rival lay in his
drunken sleep, Soto put pistol 10 his head.
and deliberately shot him. For this act he
excused himself to his crew, by stating to
them that it was in their protection he did
the act; that their interest was the others
death; and concluded by declaring himself
their leader, and promising golden har
vest to their future lsbours, provided they
obeyed him. Soto succeeded to the height
Of his wishes, and was unanimously hailed
| by the crew as their captain.
On board the vessel, as before stated,
we're a number of slaves, and these the pi.
rates had well secured under hatchcs.
They now turned their attention 10 those
half fstarved, half suffocated creatures: some
were for throwing them overheard, while
others, not less cruel, but more desirous of
gain, proposed to take them to some port in
those countries that deal in human beings,
and there sell them, The latter recon
mendation VS. adopted, and Soto steered
for the West Indies, where he received
good price for the slaves. One of those
wretched creatures, a boy, he reserved as
servant for himsclf and this boy was
destined by Providence to be the witness
Of the punishment Of those white men who
! tore away from their homes himself and
| his brethren. lie alone will carry back to
his country the truth of Heavens rotribu.
ton, and heal the wounded feelings Of
broken kindred with the recital of it.
The pirates now entered freely into their
]
sells; amongst othcrsiwas an American brig,
the treatment of which forms the chef
doupre Of their atrocity. Having taken
out of this brig all the valuables they could
! find, they hatched down all hands in the
! hold, except a black man, who was allowed
to remain on deck, for the special purpose
Of affording in his torture an amusing eX
hibition to Soto and his cnrg. They set
| fire 10 the brig, then lay to, To observe the
progress Of the flames; and as the miscra.
BILE African bounded from rope to rope,
now climbing to the mast head--now cling
ing to the shrouds--now leaping to one
part of the vessel, and now to anoiher,-
their enjoyment seemed to rise to its high
est pitch. At.leng,h the hatches opened to
the devouring element, the tortured victim
of their fiendsh cruelty fell exhausted in.
TO the flames, and the horrid and revolving
scene closed amidst the shouts Of the mis-
creants who had caused it.
OF the other exploits, that which ranks
next in turpitude, and which led to their
overthrow, was the piracy of the Morning
Star. They fell in with. that vessel neaI
the Island Of Ascension, in the year 1928
as she was on her voyage from Csylon tc
England.--This vessel, besides a valuable
cargo, had on board several passengers
consisting Of major and his wife, on as
sistant surgeon, two civilians, about five
and twenty Invalid soldiers, and three oil
four Of their wives. As soon as Bento de
Soto perceived the ship, which was at day
light on the 2lst Of Fec. he called up al
hands and prepared for attacking her; he
was at the time steering on an opposite
course 10 that Of the Morning Star. Or
accommodating her, he at first supposed sht
was French vessel; but Babazan, one o
his crew, who was himself Frenchman
assured him the ship was British. "S'
much the better" exclaimed Soto, in En-
glish, flor he could speak that language
=, 1--WE shall find the more booty" He thel
, ordered the sails to be squared, and raj
before the wind in chase Of his plumber
from which he was about two leagues dis
tant.
The Defensor de Pedro, the name Of th
= pirate ship, was a fast sailer, but owing I
f the press Of canvass which the Mornin
O Star hoisted soon after the pirate had com
a menced the chase. he did not come up wit
|. her so quickly as he had expected: the de
i. lay caused great uneaslncss to Soto, whlc
d he manifested by mu,terlng curses, and
d restlcssness Of manner. Sounds ofsavag
r satisfaction were to be heard from ever
y mouth but his at the prospect; he alone es
pressed his anticipated pleasure by oath'
r mensces, and mental inquietude. Will
!, Barbazan was employed IN superintendln
!. the clea ring Of the decks, the arming an
n breakfas,ing ofthe men, he wall.' rapid
. I'D and down, revolving in his mind tn
Q plan Of the approaching attack, and whe
# interrupted by any Of the crew, he woul
q run into volley ofimprecations. In one in
,.oca no s,ruck his blac X boy violent blnN