The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-24

tack by pirates on CLc big hsonah Of salem when
near Macao The Salem Gsxss's o. yes.efos, oon
tains the following Lsrs'cu'ars o. 'ns 81 ,hr
the pen Of Captain Chseser, the commander OF '"0
brig; -
Macao, 4th Dec, l544.
arrived at this place the night Of the 10Th uit'
10 six DAYS from Manila, aud on the morning oil inc
2sth got under way for Whampos, aud at nan pas'
seven of the same evening was abreast OF i.lnuh
North sands, wind k.asieriy, misty and dark. nav
ing caught cold during the day, had LAIN down IN
my BERTH telling the mate II Tell asleep, 10 can INC
al first sight OF the land about the Bogue,
had been below perhaps teo minutes, when
beard the pae cry out, "Hsrd up" the second mate
al the same time cXclsiming, "we shall just clear
her, and nothing more ran upon deck, aud found
ourselves side by side with large craft precisely
like a war Junk on our starboard beam, aud before
could reach the weather rail, the hre-ball was
thrown, which struck me the breast and ien upon
deck. Several more were then throws, and then
stencil pot, and the junk neared instantly or
Jered all hands ait aud sent two Of them below 10
gst up the swivel, which already loaded, and set
two 10 putting the fire out. Two pistols and couple
Of muskets were discharged Immediately into the
junk, which now fell astern Of US.
The breeze bad been very light al L. N. t., out
was increasing, and We soon had the pirate pistol
shot on the quarter Our swivel was now up, but as
Is usual IN such cases, would not go off. The charge
was blown out Of II after while, by putting coal oil
fire into the muzzle, and we opened fire upon him
from 1t, loaded with musket and pistol balls Tor We
had no round shot The pirate returned our hre
from carriage guns and swiveIs firing round and can
ster. The latter came on board IN all directions, but
the round shot passed over our heads. The singing
Of the shot alarmed my Manila men little, but
quietted them by telling them that the Chinese pow
der could moi kill. The breeze had increased so
that We we're now going and half to knots full
and by and the prse, 10 spite Of bis oars, which he
pisd vigorously, fell astern out Of musket shot
Ina, ant IN nnNHtl n
with an English brig, opium trader, which was
just ahead OF U.S. and which we had been gaining upon
ali day. But our hopes and suspense we're soon end
ed The breeze failed altogether, and the junk
gained rapidly upon US. When she was within pistol
shot a puff OF wind headed US off, and thought she
| would board US TO leeward. The swivel was then
| over To the arboard rail- but the wind catching US
aback aud casting the vessels head TO starboard or
dered them 10 leave the swivel and lay all TO the
/ small arms, which were all loaded upon the trunk.
They consisted OF four muskets, three pairs OF ps-
tolls, and small brass biunderbuss. The pirates all
the time came steadily on and we, being fiat
sback, made stern board, we soon came IN contact,
| The junk's bow coming into the briggs stern.
| 4 he muskets and blunderbuss discharged
| into them, and Immediately passed below; but he
liked his graphing hooks and hauled upon the star
| board quarter, amid perfect shower Of ire, which
burnt our clothes and blinded us that from that
timellorward lost all sight OF my men, the Sc
cond mate, who was in the cabin loading the mus
kels as they should be discharged and handed down
to him. had ordered my men TO reserve their fire
until the last minute, and they now poured IN as the
pirates were coming over the side. i heard the dis
charges but could see one. The fire checked
them for minute, but fresh shower OF ire-balIs,
followed by perfect storm Of missiles, such bill
lets OF wood and iron bolts, &c, Sc, hailed down
upon u.s. while the pirates safe behind their high bull
warks, swept our decks TO the arthest rail with their
| long lances.
Despairing Of saving the brig, dubbed musket
! had just discharged, and getting in between their
spears attempted 10 reach their heads but they we =
TOO high above me. then got hold of one Of their
pixies, and nearly wrenched 1t from the man who held
H. but IT was SO long that be got it again. and
they shortened their pixies all round 10 thrust
| retIeated to the cabin, where found the second
mate coming up with musket. l asked him if it
was loaded, and he said {" yes with three balls"
took It from him and got to the side their spears
grazing me all over, at least three between my legs,
and hired II at the only that had fairly exposed
himself to my sight. He uttered piercing yell,
which all the survivors, even those in the water,
heard and could hear his lance drop but fire bail
burst IN my face just then, iron bolt struck me on
4 the shoulder, and | fell at the companion door.
was up in a second and got into the cabin carry
| ing the musket with me- | here found the second
mate printing musket, and supposing that he had
loaded 1t, took from him and was rushing on deck
taking hold OF their pike stas TO help me up, for
they were thrusting them down the companion The
second mate stopped me, telling me that II was not
ioaaeu' then lhrew 1t down upon the floor, and
are alone and wi,bon, arr,. " S.. al 10
] bread room omen / nail.a 80 ,'e 'arooaIl
DO both 40, IL .nd d.n', ~ nm ~ Io'i'w me- anu
could The lilies were ,hsn oo.;n a 80 We. , as We
Panlon, in at the side windows and down the skyght
tramnI;ng mon tbs rnnS Ia g. WEI nea!u 'neili
in the cabin: another and ,h;rd to,,omad Tho
cond mate said 10 me q ,hsx a. Ia n ne Sc
told him thai thew only ,,n,sd - III, Us uu'
see if any of us Were below Seysrai IF bs
now descended and an ndisor;s,;o VI .ne pirates
menced, which lasted about half an hon., Tbsv
took every thing which owned except two or tbre
loose articles Of dress, and all the contents of the