The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-30
A SPIRITED CHASE AND CAPTURE OF ROB-
BERS.
Extract from letter TO mercantile house, dated
MAYAouEz, z. r Feb la IA4a


Extract from letter to mercantile house, dated
MAYAeuEz, P. r. Feb. IA, Is43
Dear Sill am about 10 inform you Of one Of the
most daring robberies ever perpetrated on ship board
and incidents attending thereon. Last night turned
IN about ~ O'Clock II was then the boys watch on
deck, (the same had the trouble with before ] left
Norfolk) Al IL O'clock the man having the second
watch, being troubled with pain aw oke out Of his
sleep and went on deck, and hearing eight bells
struck and he not been called, he commenced look
ing for The boy and not finding him he looked astern
for The boat then missing her. he called the mate and
myself out. Immediately hailed The nearest vessel
and procured her boat, when j despatched the mate
and two men to search The harbor for our boat, He
had not gone far, before missed two oars instead of
one from the rack where they were generally kept ;
this led me TO suspect the cook had gone / darted
below in the cabin to his berth, and, missing him.
sprung to my own, up with berth board when the
mystery was at once unraveled, as bag containing
S6l FIVE frank pieces had gone with them
knowing my only chance was speedy action, |
called the mate back got into the boat went along
side the brig Old Colony and got her boat as she wa.
large and having sails more suitable for chase at
sea, for suspected they had made for ST. Domingo
Being well prepared in arms and other means for
days cruze, sci oil al O'Clock having three honest
men OF my own with me, and one of Can't Matthias
moved towards catcher; at 2 A. NJ got strong
breezes off shore-at 3 made SAIL and pursued sane
course-at g. | was within two miles of the Island
the sea being little rough came 10 the conclusion
that they were too big towards risk themselves off
that far, accordingly had the boats head put TO-
wards Aguedilla Bay, in hopes of re-laying them
AS the day dawned, was within one mile of the
Point forming the southern side Of this bay-,he men
were conversing together and observing them TO saw
that the cook and boy had of late frequently askeI The
distance to st. Johns, sure there they had ben,
their course, and from this circumstance [ was sure
was as far in that direction as they and while con-
graduating myself with that idea | discovered
small sail about one mile ahead. The wind now be-
ing very light the sails at once brailed I'D and
the oars manned-n lew moments discovered it
was my boat; and the scoundrels they Immediately
downed SAIL took TO their oars and sprung for the
shore.
My having heavy boat they were nearly as swift
as me; however, IN lew moments ! got within long
pistol shot and commenced firing but was not able
to bring them to until within fifty yards-wlen
told item If they persisted any longer | certainly
would sacrifice Of their lives and raising nv MIS-
tol al the same time with determined and deliberate
aim; it had the desired effect. We were within 100
yards of the shore and amongst the breakers The
money they had placed in the bow of the boat already
for shore.
On taking the boat / was completely surprised TO
find her so well equipped they had her rgged as
complete as II Older tars than they had done IT, Be
sides the money was found four kegs of crackers
Ratchet, bag OF nails, jug of water, and other sun
dries, and had they steeTed for st. Domingo must
have easily accomplished their object have them
both in prison and shall take the "a home confined -
The cook, II appears took the bag from its place an
hour before night while ! was engaged on deck and
says lie took 1t up In the dog basAe while both the
mate and myself were in the cabin. The plot had been
IN contemplation ever since leaving Demarara, and
probably had there have been another as bad as bey
should have been flesh for the fishes ere my arrival
here
The cooks name is Thomas Dale boy, John
Parks II was about twenty mies from here where
captured them. JIG