Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-28

an individual Of that hatred nation with such ~
nv that he had we'll nigh strangled him. His
imagination was perpetually haunted BY the
shapes Of multitudes Of persons butchered by
monsters from Spain, who called upon hun to re-
vense them. While on his passage outward to
league himself with the brethren Of the coast, the
nveterate enemies of Spain, the vessel In which
he sailed fell in with a.Spansh ship, and captur-
ed il. No sooner had the Frenchmen boarded
the vessel, than Montbar, with his sabre dawn,
twice rushed along the decks, cutting through
the ranks of Spaniards, whom he swept down
While his comrades divided the booty acquired
by his prowess, Montbar gloated over the man
sled limbs Of the detested people against whom
he had vowed everlasting and deadly hate. From
this and similar actions he acquired the name OF
the Erterm,nator.
The enterprises Of Morgan, who was at once
ambitious and greedy, display capacity, GOODNESS
aud daring. His next attempt combined all these
qualities ~ a remarkable degree. With nine
ships aud boats, four hundred and sixty OF his
countrymen, he resolved to assault Porto Belo;
but did not venture to disclose so bold design
till il was no longer advisable to conceal it. To
,huse who then objected that their force was ira
deuaate to the attack, Morgan boldly replied
8. That though their numbers were small, their
hearts were good; aud the fewer the warriors the
larger the shares of plumber"
This last was an irresistible argument; and
this strongly fortified city was carried by hand
fu of resolute men, who never scruple,) az cruel
ty needul to the accomplishment OF their object,
and often revealed in the wantCnness OF unneces'
sary crime. The first fort or castle was dellbe-
ratelv blown up by fire being set to the powder
magazine, after many miserable prisoners, whose
mansled limbs soon darkeued the air, had been
huddied into one room. Resistance was sull at
tempted by the Spaniards, which greatly exaspe-
rated the 5esiegers as it was into the forts which
held out that the wealthy inhabitants had retired
with their treasure and vaaables One strong
fort it was necessary to carry without delay; and
broad scaling ladders being constructed, Nor
gan compelled his prisoners to fix them to the
walls Many of those employed in this office
were priests and nuns, dragged for this purpose
from the cIoisters These, it was thought, their
countrymen would spare; while under their pro-
lection the Buccaneers might advance without be-
Ing exposed to the fire Of the castle. In these
trying circumstances, forgetting the claim, of
country, and the sacred character OF the innocent
persons exposed to suffering so unmerited, the
Spanish govorner consulted only his official duty:
and while the unhappy prisoners OF the Buca-
ners implored bis mercy, continued to pour shot
upon all who approached the walls, whether pi-
rates or the late peaceful inhabitants OF the clols-
tiers, his stern answer being that he would never
surrender alive. Many of the friars and nuns
were killed before the scaling ladders could be
fixed; but that done, the Buccaneers, carrying
with them freballs and pots full of gunpowder,
boldly mounted the walls, poured in their com
blstibles, and speedily effected an entrance. All
Al -, a A,H rtar h.
vernon, who died fighting, in presence of his
wife and daughter, declaring that he chose rather
to die as brave soldier than be hanged like
coward. The next act in the horrid drama of
bucaniering conquest followed rapid y-plage,
cruelty, brutal icense,-the freebooterss living
themselves up to so mad course Of riot aud de-
bauche,y that fifty resolute men might have cut
them off and regained the town, had the panic
struck Spaniards been able to form any rational
plan of action, or to muster force. During
these fifteen days OF demoniac revel, interrupted
only by torturing the prisoners to make them
give up treasures which they did not possess,
many of the Buccaneers died from the consequent
ces Of their brutal excuses. and Morgan deemed
il eypetient to draw off his force. Information
had by this time reached the Governor of Pana-
ma; and though aid was distant from the mise
rable inhabitants of Porto BellO, it might still
come. Morgan, therefore, carried off good ma
nv of the guns, spiked the rest. fully supplied
his ships with every necessary store, and having
already plundered all that was possible, insolent-
" demanded an exorbltant ransom for the pre-
servaton of the city and his prisoners. and pre-.
pared to depart from the coast. These terms he
even sent to the Governor OF Panama, who was
approaching the place, and whose force the Bu-
GAMERS intercepted in narrow Fass, and COM
PEELED to retreat. The inhabitants collected
among themselves 100, 900 pieces of eight, which
Morgan graciousIy accepted, and retired to his
ships.
The establishment of the Governor Of Panama
at so small force carrying the town and the forts
and holding them SO long. induced HIM. it is said,
TO send message to the Bucanier leader, request
inc a specimen of the arms which he used. Nor.
gan received the messenger with civility, gave
him pistol and few bullets. and ordered him to
bid the president to accept Of SO slender pattern
Of the weapons with which he had taken Porto
Bello, and to keep it for twelvemontb, at she
end of which time ne fMOJsanl proposed to come