North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-06-25
from the New Orleans Delta.]
II HIS fOkI OF A 81 lhA e.
Respectfully dedicated the iustos inventor of thu
last American Bull of Excomm unication.

THE HISTORY OF A PIRATE
Respectfully dedicated to the usr1ons inventor OF the
last American Bull of Recommendation
! EsrRAaaERo
am Cuban-a Creole of the gltttering star OF
the Antilles Where the little Rio Canine winds
its silver thread down through the rocky hills of
Matanzas, to the bay, still stands the honse where
was born; grand, massive old castle, built the
red cross OF England waved the ramparts of the
Moro. But its walls echo the tread of strangers
l, the last son of my race. exile in foreign
iand-sentenced to death at home; here prescribed
an ''adventnrer, "robber,' ''pirate''! My beau
tIfui "ife-my Sabanto-lies low in the grave. My
boy-the nope OF my manhood-was struck to the
heart by the lance of brutal soldier, because he
would not tell whittier his father had fed that father
on whose head price had been set-a price which
the liveried blood-hounds coveted! The lands of
my fathers, seized by the same tyrani bands have
been sold TO stranger. The fragrant coffee-felds
wherein wantoned, in my happy childhood. are till
ed by those who have no associations there to love,
save the sordid gain they may yield And why is
this 90 the reader asks. l will reply; and would
that in lines of living fire each word might be writ
ten to burn evermore before the people of country
81 pirates - as Lafayette-a De kalb-a De Grasse
Ia D'Estang-a Pulaski Montgomery aided in
gaining to her that freedom.
When Iacon, iron hearted and iron handed, was
Governor-General of Cuba had attained my major
ty; and soon as was released from the surveil-
lance of the guardian appointed by the Government,
Il should have promised that | orphan,)
married one whom had loved from my early boy
hood. and never bloomed loveler flower beneath a
tropic sun. We loved-were happy. / was rich,
and though taxed heavily, under constant Govern
ment espionage, moved on through few years in
peace. When Iacon had gone, and after Espeeta-
less tyrant, but william than the frst-came
in times began 10 alter. Privileges of the slightest
kind had 10 be bought! Did wish pound of pow
der and shot, and gun kill the pheasants that
flew across my fields, a license required, for
which had to pay tax, heavier than was laid
Not grain of cofee-not a leaf of tobacco-not
cane OF sugar grew, that not counted-not taxed.
Murmur not, We tlthe-paying men of England! Do
not complain, we Of Russia, whose lives and
cast the very breath of your Autocrat
DO not feel disconnected, ye of the Crescent,
Ono honle nlAion,) whose lives depend upon the bow
string and tickle mind of an imperious Sultan! Ye
are safer far, and happier too, than the Creoles Of
Cuba who exist under the control of those who born
afar off, have sympaties with, ties to bind them
to the soil of the Island.
But, back to my tale. The time of Espeleta pass
ed away. Laden with riches, wrung unjustiy from
the people, he returned to Spain-rich in all save
honor, and that was hidden by the and blood of
those whom he had wronged. Ancona followed.
But he could not say-he was too honorable. The
blood of the Cid flowed in his veins. He was re-
called. O'Donnell came-the descendant of Celtic,
brave people. Years of connection with corrupt
government had ming led alloy with the gold of his
nature-yet he was not all that the mother govern
ment " wished. He could not be oil villain! He
was cruel-he needed not the value of life-yet he
was at least human. He would not hire spies to en-
ter the bosom of happy families-he would not Kill
on suspiciOn! He, too, was recalled, and AIcoy
came !! Then couds-red blood and dark as the
beginning Of storm when day cIoses-arose over
the people of Cuba. The burdens of the people
were never felt till then! And did they murmur, a
hired spy near to catch each word Every sigh
they brealhed-a threat, whispered between closed
and grating teeth was reported ;-and what followed
Death or exile, and confscation of property-the
garotte, volley of musketry, rapid flight from
the land of their birth Yet, why do wander from
my own history-it is brief, and will not trouble
you long. When Aleoy came, my boy, CASTILLO, was
eleven years of age. NV wife was beautiful though
a matron. My overseer died, and employed new
one, who came well recommended, even as gentle
man whom poverty forced to ask for such situation
Regarding poverty misfortune rather than as &
crime, treated him gentleman and as friend
That man was a spy of AIcoy's! Not word passed
from my lips-not murmur at injustice did ute
that he did not record, and send to his af
forwards learned!
One nigh,-neyer shall forget it, for nv poor wife
was lying low with fever, a couch from which
she never rose-a merchant from New York whose
vessel lay in the harbor of Matanzas, was nv guest
| He came to arrange for the purchase of my crop
and while entertaining him, made remarks contrast
ing the freedom his government with the tyranny
of that under which l suffered. My oveiseer was
present, and marked every word. When my gues
had retired for tho night, FASTENED the side ofmy
sick wife 1t was the last tiriIe ever her. AT
ter We had left him, the overseer mounted my bes
horse and rode full speed Mdtanzas, to report Il
the Governor all that had said.
1t was nearly morning, and still sat by the side
of my suffering wife. Suddenly faithful servan
rushed into the room, and told me that the
and guard of soldiers were riding towards the house
In instant knew all-com pretended my danger
and did my angewife! "FIy, my anore 20 she
cried " it will be death if they seize you.''
81 cannot, and leave you 20 was my reply.
They will no. harm me,'' she answered. 90
will get well, and with our boy will follow ~
kissed my boy, and prepared to ey. How to &c
was the next question. My friend had his boat and
crew in the river. 1 hastily awoke him. stated the
facts, and, foes entered the house, we left il
by back entrance, gained the boat, and in thres
hours safe in his vessel. Hastily we sailed
and arrived at the great city Of your Republic
Oh how anxiously did wait for from my
home. When it came, it was terrible Death had
not such terrors. My boy was killed that night by
soldier, because he would not tell him which way
had gone, reply to his insolent questions. With
in three days my wife in her grave. A price
Z was placed my head-my estates confscated,
registered as traitor, and all this merely because
nurmured against injustice and wrong. [ am here
widowed, childess, poor, wretched And, because
with few brave, chivalrous nobiemen, l desire t.
return and free my fellow Cubans from chains. earr
that am considered robber and pirate. l forbea
to comment on this Though the land wherein
have sought refuge casts this stigma upon me,
will not complain, but, bidng that time when migh
will yield to right, when Cuba toiH Lefree,
Remain the - EXILE,''
New Orleans, May 81.
For the Standard I