Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-06-29


special purpose of uiording iis OH ABUSING
exhibition to Soto and his gang icy fire to the
brig, then lay tn, to observe ;he progress of the
fumes and as the miserable african bounded from
ropc TO rope. now climbing to the mast head-noW
cnging to the shrouds--now capiRg TO one pur; Of
the vessel, and now to anoth-r,--,heir enjoyment
seemed 10 rise to its highest pitch. at length the
lla ches opened to the devoNriru element Tho tor;n
red victim OF their en,s cruelty foil exhausted into
the nUcs and the hor'id add revoltinr scene closed
amidst the shouts of The mscreants who had caused
OF their other exploits, that which ranks nex, j.,
and whch led to their overthrow was the
piracy OF the Morning Star. They fell in with that
vessel near the Island OF Ascension in tho vcnr 1928
as shc was on her voyage from Ccylon to- England
This vessel besides val able cargo had on hoard
several passengers ,stn" of rnuor and his wife
an essstnnt-srgeon. two civilians about and
twenty invalid soldiers, and three or four of their
wives AS soon as Bcnto dc Soto perceived the ship
winch was at dwight the 2Ist of Feb he called
up all hands. and prepared for ATTACKING her: he was
III the time steering on opposite course that Of
The Morning Stor On onnotering her. he ut first
supposed She was aFrench vessel; but Darbazan,
Oh ms crew who was himself Frenchman, assured
hTn the ship was British so much the better ex-
claimed Soto, in English, (for be could speak that
language 1--WE shall find the more booty" He Their
oraei"d ms sails to be squared, and before the
wind In chase OF his plumber from which lie abou,
two leagues distant.
The Dcfensor de Pedro, the name of the pirate
Ship was fast sailcr, but owing the press Of
pirate had commenced the chase, he did not como up
with her quickly he expece ed: the delay caused
great uneasness TO Soto, which he manifested by nut
terng curses and restlessn.ss of manner. Sounds
| of savage satisfaction were to be heard from evcry
mouth but his AZ the prospects he alone expressed his
anticipated pleasure by hs menaces and mental
in9uctude. While Barbazan was employed in super
intending The clearing of the decks, the armnp and
breakasting OF the men, he walked rapidly up ard
down, revolving in his mind the plan of the approa eh
ing attack, and when Interrupted by any of he crew,
ne would run int" a voiley of imprecatons. In
instance, he struck h,s black boy violent blow with
atclescope, because he asked him would he hav. his
morning cup of chocolates soon. however as he set
his sudtllng sails and perceived that he was gaining
On the Morning Star, he became somewha, TRANQUIL
began to eat heartily of cold beef drank his chocolate
1t draugh:, and coo!ly sat down on the deck to
smoke cigar.
In less than quarter Of an hour, the pirate had
gained considerably The other vessel Soto now
without rising from where he sat, ordered gun with
blank cartridge, to be fred and the British colours
tn be- hoisted but finding this measure had not the
ensct OF bringing the Morning Star to, he cried out
Shot the long gun and give it her point blank"
The order obeycd, but tho shot fell short of the
intention, on which be jumped ND and cursed
the fellows for bnnglers who had fred the gun Flo
then ordered Thorn 10 load with canister shot end
took the match in his own hand He did not how
ever, fire Immediately, but waited till he was nearly
abreast of his victim; then directing the aim himself
ana ordering man 10 stand by the flag to haul it
down. fired with an air that showed he was sure of
Colours, and having done SO, cried out through the
speaking trumpet, "Lower your boat down this mo-
ment and let yonr captain come board with his
papers,
During this fearful chase the people IN hosrd tho
Morning Star We're IN the greatest alarm: bnt howe
yer their apprehensioDs might have been excited that
courage which ID so characteristic of British sailor
never for moment forsook the captain. He boldly
carried on sail and although of the men fell from
wound. and the ravages of the shot were every
where around him, he determined not to strike But
unhapplly he had not single gun on board and no
small arms that could render his COURAGE avail;no
the tears OF the women, and the prudent advice of
the passengers overcoming his resolution, he permit
ted himself TO be guided by the general opinion One
or the passengers volunteered himself to 90 ON board
me pirate and q boat was lowered for the purpose
Both vessels nowla to within fifty yards of each 9th
or and strong hope arose in those on board the
Morning S'ar, that the gentleman who had volunteer
ed to go to the Prete might, through his exertons
avert, at least, the worst of the dreaded calamity
Some people here, in their quiet security bav.
made no scruple Of declaring, that the dne
officer of the soldiers board should not have so
.. tameIy yielded to the prae particularly as he had
MS wife along with him, and consequently misfor
tune to dread that might BIZ thought even worse than
death but all who Know the state Of the crcum
stances, and effec' upon il, will allow that he adop
ted the only chance of escaping that which to be
the most feared by husband. The Iong-gun which
was on pivot in the centre of the pirate ship could
IN few shots sink the Morning Starr and even had
resistance been made to the Pirates as they boarded
oeeh MADE prisoners, The resuf
would not has been much better. II was evident the
Defensor de Pedro was the best sailer, consequently
he Morning Star could not hope to escape. in fact
sGbm'sIon, or total d"st uction the only choice
rue commanding officer, therefore, acted for he best
When he recommended the former. There was some
slight hope of escaping with life and without perso
oal abuse by surrcndering, but to contend must bo
inevitable death ~ -
Fhe gentleman who bad gone 10 ,he boat to the
pirate In short time, exhibiting every uroof
OF the Ill treatment be bad received from Soto and
ms crew. IL appears, that when the villains learned
ne was not the captain, they fell upon him aud bea,
him. as well as the sailors along with him. in most
brutal manner and with the most borrd imprecatioos
,od him. that if The captain did inst an,ly come
On his rctnrn to the vessel they would blow the ship
'u' Oh ene wa err This report at once decided thu.
captain in the way he was to act Without hes |
faion he stepped into the boat, taking with him his
second mate three soldiers, and sailor boy and pro
ceeded 10 the pirate. On going on board that vessel
Rong with the mate, Soto, who stood near the main
nast,WIth his drawn cutass in his hand, desired him