Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-04-12

and Of Margarista.
After their arrival, he left the ship, and en-
tered on board the Colombian privater Maria,
Capt. Bell. They cruiscd for about two months
in the Bay Of Mexico, around Cuba, but the
crew becoming dissatisfied in consequence Of
the nonpayment Of their prize money, mutlny
arose, the crew took possession OF the schooner,
and landed the officers near Pensacola. A num-
Der of DAYS elapsed before it was finally decided
by them what course TO pursue. Some ADVISED
that they should cruise as before, under the 20
lomban commission; others proposed TO moist
the Black Flag They crused for short time
without success, and it was then ANONYMOUSLY
determined to ho,sf the black jug, ana declare
,car against all nations. Their bloody purpose
| was not carried however. into immediate execu.
ton. They boarded number OF vessels and
allowed them to pass unmoested, there Delhg
no spece on board, and their cargoes not be-
ING convertible into any thing valuable to them
selves. At last one Of the crew named Antonio
suggested that an arrangement could be made
with man in Havana, that would be mutually
benefcial;-rhat be would receive all their goods,
sell them, and divide the proceeds. This sug-
sestion being favoraby received, they ran up
within two miles of the Moro Castle, and sent
Antonio on shore to see the merchant and make
contract W t. him. Previous to this, Gibbs was
chosen to navigate the vessel. Antonio succeed
ed IN arranging every thing according to their
wishes, and Cape Antonio was appointed As the
ulace of rendezvous The merchant was to fur
nish drogeie to transport the goods to Havana,
which was done BY him for more than three
years. 8
The Maria now put to sea with crew OF
about so men, principally Spaniards and Ame-
ricans. with every hope of infamous success
The first vessel She fell in win was the lndls-
pensabe, an English ship, bound to Havana.
which was taken and carried to Cape Antonio.
The crciU were immediately destroyed: those who
resisted were hewn to pieces: those who offered
no resistance, were reserved to oe shot and
thrown overheard. Such was the manner in
which they proceeded in all their subsequent
captures. The unhappy being that cried Tor mer-
CIV in the hope that something like humanity was
to be found in the breasts even OF the worst OF
men, shared the same fate with him who resell
we'd to sell hi, life at the highest price. A French
brig, with Il valuable cargo OF wine and silk,
was taken shortly after: the vessel was burnt
aud the crelc murdered.
The sanguinarv scenes through which Gibbs
had passed now efftctually wrought up his despe-
ration to the highest pitch, and being as remark
able for his GOODNESS and ntrepidity as he was
for his skill in navigation, he was unanimously
chosen to be their leader in all their future en-
terprses. 10 reap golden harvest without the
hazard of encountering living witnesses OF their
crimes, it was unanimously resolved TO spare
no Eres and 10 burn and ptt0,der uifhoW mer-
CO.. They knew that that the principle mculcat-
ed by the old maxim that 'dead men tell no
tales" was the only safe one for them. and they
scrupulously followed 1t. Gibbs states that he
never had occasion 10 give orders to begin the
work of death. The Spaniards were eager to &C
complish that object without delay, and general
" every unhappy victim disappeared in few
minutes after they gained the deck of a vessel.
He now directed his course tcwars the BAHIA
ma Banks, where they captured brig, believed
to be the William from New York for some port
in Mexico, with cargo of furniture; destroyed
The creE. took her 10 Cape Antonio, and sent
the furniture and other articles to their friend at
Havana. Sometime during this cruise, the p-
rate was chased tor nearly whole day by an L.
5. ship, supposed to be the John Adams; they
holsted Patriot coos and finally escaped. In
The early part of the summer of 1917, they took
the Earl Of MORA, an English ship from London,
with cargo of dry goods. THE cre,c acre de-
stroycd. the vessel burnt, and the goods carried
to the Cape. There they had a settlement with
their Havana friend, and the proceeds were di-
vided according to agreement
G;obs then repaired to Havana. introduced
himsel! "a the merchant, and made further ar
rangements for the successful prosecution of his
pirao!cs While there. he became acquainted with
msay If ne E.. s!ish ard An,erican naval officers,
enquired respectinc d success of their various
expeditions for the sappression of piracy, and
made him,r' acquaiD' with the speed of their
vessels. and a.. ,ne.y 1rended movements.
On his arrival "a. pc Antonio. he found that
his comrades We, In state of complete mutiny
and rebellion, ans! Sar several Of them had been
killed. His emery checked the disturbance,
and all agreed to submit to his orders, and put
any one TO death who should dare to dsobe y,them.
During the cruise which was made in the lat
ter part of 1917 and the beginning OF 1918.
Dutch snip from Curacao was captured. with a
cargo of West India goods, aud quantity of
silver plate. The passengers and crew, to
the number of so, Were oil destroyed, with the
exception of young female about Il. who fell
upon her knees and implored Gibbs to save her
life. The appeal was successful, and he proms
ed t, save her, though he knew it would lead to
dangerous consequences among his crew. She
was carried to Cape Antonio. and kept there
about two months: but the dissatisfaction increas-
4 Al. - L. l.,