Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-11-01


From the Philadelphia Enquirer Of Oct. "a
PACKET SHIP sUSQUEHANNA CAPrU-
RED BY PIRATES.
Our city was thrown into a high
state of excitement yesterday, by the
arrival of an Express from Lewlstown,
bringing the appalling and almost IN
credible intelligence, that the packet
" Susquehanna" of this port, with all
her crew, 10 cabin and 40 steerage
passengers, had been captured by pr
rates. The Intelligence passed like
lightning through the city, and in the
course Off few minutes, the Merchants
Exchange was throngcd with lnquirlng
and anxious citizens, eager for all the
details of so irightiul an incident. IT
; appears that the SUsquehanna put to
sea from the Capes on Saturday last !;
and while yet in sight Of land, the wea-
Their being fine and the wind NV. was
observed TO be pursued by aschr. clip
perbuilt, aud full of men.
They boarded the Susquehanna, when
on Five Fathom Bank. and in a very
short space of time, she was seen TO
steer away in a southwardly direction,
in full possession Of the ~freebooters,
ami with their schooner in company.
The parties who brought the sad and
fearful intelligence, do not appear to
have ascertaiued whether the Susque-
hanna made any resistance; nor have
we yet learned that any firing, either
Of large guns or small accompanied the
capture. We need scarcely add that
the greatest indignation was felt and
expressed ia this city, at the bold and
daring enormity of this offence; and II
is to be hoped hat Government will,
Immediately aud without a moments
delay, despatch an adequate force to
bring the Williams TO justice.
Expresses were sent from Whining.
ton aud New Castle, direct - Norfolk,
requesting that an armed vessel might
be Instantly despatched in pursuit of
the b%uccaueer but the danger is that
the wretches will have made their es-
cape, before the arm of justice and an
outraged country has overtaken them.
The deepest anxiety is felt for the fate
Of the passengers and crew of the Sus-
quehanna.
At the latter hour last evening, the
city was still in a high state of excite
ment and the story of the capture OF
the S~usquehanna was generally but
not universally credited. 1t is not
known what amount of specie The YES.
sci had on board but the impression
is, that it was not large, with the ex-
ception Of any sums that the passengers
might have taken on their W account.
As is usual on such occasions, the most
contradictory accounts are in c%ircuia-
ton. Captain Pedrick, who left Lew.
istown five hours after the Express.
says shat the ship went to sea on Sat
urday morning at 3 o'clock, and with
every prospect ofan uninterrupted voy.
age.-Thls, it will be perceived, does
not tally with the letter given above,
as, according to that account, the ship
went to sea at 2 o'clock on Saturday
afternoon. 1t is proper 10 add, that
Expresses were sent in every direction
the moment the intelligence reached
Philadelphia. 1t is also said, and we
believe with truth, that Commodore
Ste wart, early yesterday afternoon, de-
spatchcd a steamboat with 100 seamen,
to the revenue cutter at Wilmington,
with orders to have her put in readl-
ness with all practicable despatch, and
proceed instantly in pursuit.
Volunteers in abundance could have
been obtained in this city, had it been
possible to rerder their eXertions avail
liable. Captain Bohlen OF the German
Guards, pledged himselfto procure 100
| armed meL at two hours notice, should
their services be called for.
The Revenue Cutter "Gallatin,"
Captain Colo, has been lying at Will
mington for some weeks, undergoing
repairs.
Among the Of the day, is
one, that a piraticaI looking vessel has
been lowering off our coast for some
time and another, hat n suspicious
vessel was at anchor for two days of
las, week, off the Pea Patch-whence
she suddenly set sail and returned to
sea. The only positive intelligence
which has reached us for some time
past, in relation TO a pirate, was the
statement of the Captain Of the brig
Margaret, at New Orleans on the End
inst. His brig was chased between
the coast of Florida and the Island of.
Cuba, and by just such a schooner as