Capture Of Spanish Vessel...
The Times, 1824-10-05T00:00:00

Papers from Norfolk, in Virginia, to the 2d ult., were received yesterday morniing at the Nev, England (Cotl'ee-hous4e. They sup. ply us with the following account of the capture, by the General Sntrsaitnler Colombiau schooner, of some Spanish vessels which wvere on their way home from the fiavannah urder the protection of a French bhig of war, the Genie, Captain Bourdais. All the pro. tection, however, whiclh the French captain ventured to give them, was that of telling a direct falsehood as to the character of their flags; for which he will, no doubt, be called to account by the Colombian jGovernmeent. The Genie was previously reported to have sailcd a sinigle sh ip, about the 29th o' July I ut, most probably, in conse- sequence of a collusive arrangement with the uerchants, hiovered on the coast of Cuba until the vessels !n question joined her. An erro. neouis report got into circulation, on the arrivai of the Norfolk pa- pen, that these were the vessels seen by the W'al%oorlh Castle, on the 4th of August, off' the coast of Yucatan, which ia qui:e out of the course for Europc from the Havannall '" Norfolk Aug. 30. Captain 3. Norbhruip, commantler, and Mr. T. D. huincy, nur- ser, of the Colombian national scliooner General Santander (arrived In Lynhaven Bay), came up on Saturdav evening in the steam-boat Virginia. These gentlemen state, that the Ganeral Sanltander has aad a successful cruise of twenty.two tays, since leaving the coast of Cuba, and on the 19th instant, in Florida Channel, f'ell in with a fleet of four vessels under convoy of tbe French brig of war Gerie, Captain Bourdais, of 18 guns. Captain Northrup had previous inti- mation of a Spanish fleet ot'vessels being out, and from circum. stances suspectedt this to be the samne. Ile accordingly hoisted it flag fora negotiation with'Captain Bourtlais, ai(t sent his first officer on board the Genie io ascertain the character of tlhe fleet, as well as to learn from Captain Bourdais, if It was his intention to protect them. The officer returned with Captain Bsurdais's anwer, that "' thue,y were French." Captain Northrup, however, still having his doubts, ran alongside one of them, and asked what flag she was nsider? who returned for answer " Spanisli," which was accordingly runi tip, and then struck, at the command of Captain Northrup, who immiediately took possession of the vessel, which 1sroved to be the Barbaretta. This hlppened about two o'clock p. m.n-, and the French brig showing no disposition to inter- fere, Cantain) Northrup next manned his boats in pursuit of another of the fleet-a schooner, formerly the Tom of Balli7nore, which thley captured. At six o'clock he came up with the Spanish brig Motocideo, of 10 guns, and 45 men, whiclh also surrendered. TheIc prizes Captain Northrup manned, and orderod for Porto Cavello. The approach of niaht prevented his capturing the fourth vemsel. On the aRternoon of the next dav the General Santanader captured the Spanish felucca Ligera, from Matanzas, bomtind to Culdiz, witlh a cargo of cofdee. The stern of the General Sanlta?der being very loose, having also carried awav her fore and foretopsail yards, her sails likewvse being very deficient, prevented Captain Northrup proceeding with the fleet, and he was therefore compelled to bear away for this port to renew his vessel. During thie cruise, the Ge- neral Santand er has captured 15 guns (mounting only 5 herself) with three fimic vessels (2 of which were Guhieamen, bound to the coast of Africa), and made 120 prisoners. " On the 17th inst., Ohs' Key Pedro, the General Santan,de,' fell mvutt the Unitedi States schooner Terier, Lieutenant Commo. dare Payne, who inf'ormed hitm that hc had that d&y captured a small plratical row-boat (the boat then in towv), with six prisoners, wbom he hadl then on board 'tiu irons, and was waiting the arrival, at one of the Keys, of a large piratical schooner fromthe OldStraits." CAPTURE OF SPANISH- VESSELS.