Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-07-10

eyes Soto was follower OF the principle incucat cd
by the old maxim. dead men tell no tales" and In
pursuance OF his doctrine lost not moment 10 nut.
ting about and running back. But il was too late
he could 6nd no traces Of the vessel and no conso
led hinse' with the belief that she was at tho bot
tom OF the scs, many fathous below tho Ron and
cogniznncc Of all Admiralty Courts.
Soto, thug satisfied, bent his course to Europe On
ms voyage he fell in with small brig, boarded plum.
oerec' SUNK her, and that he might not again the
nsEa,d OF e0couHeriug living witnesses of his quilt
murdered the crew, with the exception of ono midi
vidusi, whom he took along with him, on account OF
mis- knowledge Of the course TO Coruuna whittier he
intended to proceed. But, faithful to his principles
OF sefProtection. as he had made full use OF
the unfortunate Saior, and found himself in sight OF
the destined port, he came I'D to him axthe helm
which he held in his hand, "My friend" aid he, "is
that the harbour of Corunna! Mas the re.
ply; "Then. rcjoncd Soto, lyon have done your du.
y we'll, and am obliged to you for your services
On the instant he drew pistol and shot the ma n:
then coolly flung his body overheard took the helm
himself, and stccred into bis native harbnr as little
concerned as if he had returned from hnnost vow
sge. AT TINS port ne obtained papers in false name
disposed of great part of his booty and a er short
stay set out for Cadis where be expected q market
TOR the remainder. He had fair wind until he came
m sight OF tho coast near that city. 1t was coming
oe dnrk' and ne lay to. expecting to 60 into his an
chorage next morning, bat the wind shifted to the
westward, and suddenly began to blow heavy gale;
it was right the land He lufed his ship as Close
to the wind possible, in order to clear point that
stretched outward and beat of to wiudward, but his
lee-w8y carried him towards the land and he wa I,
caught when he least expected the trap Pie gale
increased-the night grew pitchy dark-the roaring
breakers were bis lee BEAM the drifting vessel
Strikes rebounds, and strikes again cry Of hor
ror rngs through the tapping cordage and despa r il
IN tho eyes Of the demon crew HELPLESS thew lie
odst the wrath of the Storm end the darkened face
OF Heaven, for the first tme strikes terror on their
guilty hearts Death s before them, but not with a
mcrciful quckness does he approach; hour after hour
Yla rpa thDtn anl
disappears only to come again in a more dreadful
form The tempest ubatcs, and the sinners were
spared for the time.
As the daylight broke they took to their boats and
abandoned the vessel to preserve their lives. But
there was no repentance in the pirates; along with the
night anG the winds went the voice of conscience
and they thought OF what had passed.
fhoy stood upon the beach gazing at the wreck and
tue hrst thought OF Soto was to sell it and purchase
another vessel for the renewal of his a,rocious pur
suits With tho marked decision Of his character
he proposed his intention to his followers and receiv
ed their full appreciation The plan was instantly
arranged they were to present themselves as honest
shiPwrecked mariners to The authorities at Cadiz.
Soto was TO take upon himself the office of male or
contrd -nneseyd to an imaginary captain. and thus
ootain their sanction IN disposng Of the vessel In
,neii assumed Characters, the whole proceeded to
Cadz, and presented themselves before the proper
officers oil the marine Their story was listened to
with sympathy, and for few days every thing went
on to their satisfaction Soto had succeeded sn well
as to conclude the sale Of the wreck with broker
for the SUN of Thousand seven hundred and Al
dollars; The contract signed but fortunately the
money was not vet paid when suspicion arose from
some responsiveness IN the pirates account of them
selves, and six of them arrested by the authori
tes SOTO aud one OF his crew instantly disappeared
from Cadle and succe ded in arriving at the neutral
ground befor- Gibraltar, and six more made ihe;r es
cape to the Caracas.
None were permitted enter the fortress of Gibra
ter, without permission from the Governor or q pro-
ne ma RrSxnFf INTO L.
took up their quarters at Posada on the neutral
ground and resided there security for several da
Phe busy and daring mind Of the former could not
long remain inactive: be proposed to his companion
TO attempt to enter the garrison in disguise and by
stealth, but could not prevail upon him to consent.
tie therefore resolved TO 60 in alone; and the object
oil hrs doing 80 was to procure q supply Of money by
q letter OF credit which he brought with him from
Cadin Ills companion, more wise than he, chose the
safer course; he knew that the neutral ground gas
not comfortable by the laws either of tho SpaDiards
or the Englsh; and although there was not much
probability Of his being discovered, be resolved not
10 trust TO chance IN so great stake his life and
he proved to have been right in his Judgment for had
he gone to Gibraltar he would have shared the fate of
his chief This man is the only one of the whole pana
who has not mot with tho punishment Of his crime
Tor he succeeded in efecting his escape on board
'ome vessel. Ii ia not even suspected TO wbat coup
ny he has gone; but his desert p,on, no doubt is re
yistered. The Steward ofthe Morning Star informed
ne that he IS a TALL stout man, with fair hair and
resh complexion, Of a mild and gentle countenance,
but that he was one of the worst villains of the whole
'ratlca crew. believe he is stated to be French.
nan.
Soto secured his admission tot the garrison by false
'ass and took up his residence at an inferior tavern
n narrow lane, which runs off the main street of
gibraltar, and is kept by OF the name of Basso.
The appearance of this house suits well With the as
ociations OF the worthy Benito's life. have occa-
non to pass the door frequently night for our bar
acks the Caseu,ate) Is but few yards from it, |
lever look at the place without feeling vivid and
Involuntary sensation ofhorror-the smoky and dirty
NOTES.-THE distant groups Of dark Spaniards Moors
md Jews, their sallow countenances made yellow
" the light OF dim ol-amps-the unceed rafters
,f the rooms above, seen through unshuttered win
lows and the consciousness Of their having covered
he atrocous Soto, combine this effect upon nc.
In this den the villain remained for few weeks.
md during this time seemed 10 enjoy himself as if he
rad never committed murder. The story he told
5asso OF his circumstances wins, that he had come to
Gibraltar on his way TO Cadiz from Malaga and was
merely awaiting the arrival of friend. He dressed
,xpensiyeIy- generally a white hat of the best
sngish quality, silk stockings, white trowsers and
'iue Rock coat His whiskers were large ard bushy.