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From the Democratic Press. . ^
SKETCHES OF THE BARBARY STATES.
No. II. '
.I^arnu da Par Ha commenced his administration under
4hg most favorable circu stances—be was at tliat period
not more than twenty-five years of age, and had already
accustomed himself to the discharge of public duties,
■and had made himself Tamihar with ali the necessary forms
-and pursuits of government—lie was active, and account
ed a brave officer—shrewd and comprehensive—posses
sing genius, judgment and invention, and was remnrka-
+ii© for the promptness and decision with which he mana
ged public affairs. Tiie energy and vigor -of his adminis
tration afforded to the Tunisians the best assurance of
tranquility; and, during a reign of upwards of thirty-two
▼ears, that kingdom was preserved from revolutions or
internal commotions of any consequence.
The activity and earger - desire of the bev to acquire
fame and wealth soon lead him to organize his army and
Jiuvy, the former with a view of checking the influence
pf the Algerines, and the latter to cruise against the com
merce of the Christian states ja the Mediterranean. The
first effort of auy note was made bv a descent on th
jklandof St. PieiVe, near S irdiui.a, by a small squadron
■frhich succeeded in surprising the place and carrying
away near one thousand of its defence* ss inhabit mis iti-
to slavery. These unfortiin te creatures remained many
years in bondage—some were released- by ransom and
exchange, but many of them, who were f.r advanced in
fife,ended their davs in that dreadful state of ignomi
rtv.
Notwithstanding the great efforts of the bey to insure
the tranquility of his kingdom by an excess ofvigilanci
& was not wholly exempt from partial insurrections,
Sgid one which occured towards the ciose of his reign
"Ras marked by very , iarmi ig circumstances. In the .»r-
Ifrv, which consisted, of forty thousand men, were near
jjx thousand Turkish soldiers, who had icit the territo
ries of the grand signior, and had enlisted at different
^terio-ds in tlie Tunisian army. These men composed
. the worst class of troops belonging to -the forces of the
■Ottoman empire, and had been dismissed front the ser
vice without any pr . vision being mode for Jaiem, and
they accordingly joined the troops on toe Barb 'rv coast,
-and were oreparetl for any scenes ot tumult and disor
der. The knowledge of the Greek and Turkish language
afforded ample occasion for the soldiers to organize their
plans without incurring any suspicion of their intentions
my the natives, who only spoke the Arabic. According
ly near six thousand Turkish soldiers arranged a plan to
"destroy the bey and his officers, seize upon the govtrn-
XUent, and change its form, by electing one of their cuiefs
dn tho same principle as that ot Algiers.
* This, plan,' however, was defeated by the rapacity of
-the 1'urks, whorusbed into the city, seized the fortress of
the Ouspa, and, wititout waiting until all the strong places
had been secured, fell to plundering, breaking open
oshops, and committing even species of excess and cm
alty. This afforded* time to the bey whose p-iace, strong
ly fortified, was a‘league from Tunis, fo collect a suffi
cient force cap .ble of manning thy out lotteries, which
•soon commenced, a brisk ca nion.Ae oi< tiie Ciuspa. Tne
■Turks finding themselves briskly bandied, and haying
;no order or regularity, soon fled from the ramparts—
jf&my tried to escape, but were overtaken by tin; cav-dry
■and destroyed, and the revolution terminated by the
•destruction of the greatest portion of the insurgents.
The citv of Tunis is said to coiit..in near one hun
dred and twenty tnoitusaiid inhabitants. Ot these, near
•fillrtv thousand are Jews—the rest, with tiie exception
■of about one thousand Greek, Armenian and European
ilhristians, are ad Mahometans. Tiie police of the city is
sjxtremeiy welt regulated, and every branch of trade,
-commerce or manufactures has. a chief or Iman, to whom
a)l disputes arq referred. Appeals from their decisions
.‘ire heard by the bey, who attends daily in tiie hail of jus
tice, to decide on such civil and criminal cases as may
tie brought before him; and where ins immedi ite interest
not concerned,-he decides jus f ly. All , aces under
government are bough', and the highest bidder, without
^.reference to talents or qualification, is the successful
candidate. There are no situations, however, so profita
ble to the bey as the chiefs ov governors of tiie several
districts in the kingdom. These pay an exhorbitant
Vim for the appointment, which tney subsequently raise
by extortions on their people. Tnis system is continued
until tiie Bedouins, who are amazingly fond of litigation
-p-., i n a body xo complain of their governor to the bey.
’Tiie governor, aware of their intentions, is beforehand
with them, and purchases a favorable uci ision by a large
sum of money. The bey hears the complaint of the
Arabs, receives their donation, and dismisses them with
assurances that lie wiil Cause theirgovernor to treat them
better in future. Thus receiving bribes from both par
ties, bribes to secure favorable decisions, income from
-commercial duties, farms, piracies, and the sate and ran
som of Christians, the revenue of Thuis m.,y be comphit-
-ed at three millions of dollars annur-hy; and as the ex
penses are managed with great economy, most of this
>uum remains untouched in the treasury. From a habit
of ad14inisteringj<isfice for many years, H iinu ia Pacha
shall accustomed himself to a promptness and decision
■Which never admitted of quibble or delay. If a crime
Was committed, the culprit was immediately brought be
fore him, the evidence adduced, tiie defence beard, tne
-Sentence givenj and the execution Immediately followed.
The punishment consists in strangling, beheading, or
biistonatling on tne soles of me feet, which is generally
limited to one thousand bio .vs; mid this summary n.oile
of trial is conducted with die utmost gravity and silence
and sentence is passed by a mere sign of tne bead. 11a-
ntuda Pacha spoke httie, and never without reflection,
and always to the purpose. He accustomed luniseit to
read the looks rtf men with, a keen scrutiny; w.iich sel-
dom or never deceived fini in his ideas of character; and
this species of investigation’had become so .familiar to.
him, that he was accounted a physiognomist of tiie first
order. One fact alone will serve to illustrate this:
A Bedouin had ahorse, which he valued highly, and
which he was in danger of losing by sickness. In ihe
'fervor of his zeal, and conform ible to the superstitious
-customs of the country, he vowed that, if his horse re
covered be would present his favorite saint with one hun-
-dred piastres. The horse was pronounced out of dan
ger, and the Bedouin on serious reflection, regretted
the extravagant vow which he had made. Consoling-
himself, however, with the assurance, dr.t it was un
known to’anv but himself, he deliberated oq the besi
means of getting rid of the claim; and accordingly after
a long struggle between his conscience and his avarice,
lie decided to pay tiie saint fifty piastres, being tne one
half of the original promise.
The bey is trustee for afi sums.offered to the numerous
■saints in the kingdom, to whom he is accountable, anti
doubtless is prepared for settlement when called upon
by tliejp. The Bedouin repaired to the palace with'his
fifty piastres, and told his story. The bey, struck with
•he hesitating manner of the man, suspected that all was
not right; and during the recapitulation of ins story, he
fixed llis eyes upon him with remarkable keenness, and
■on his conclusion in* said to him—Wretch, tell me quick
ly, did you not promise the saint one hundred piastres?
The affrighted Bedouin fell on liis knees and confessed
the fact. Caitiff, said the bey, do you think that any
thing is concealed from me, who am mysel- a saint!—Be
gone, bring the hundred piastres; and, as a punishment
fervour sacrilege, you shall receive one hundred blows
on flie feet—“Which sentence was faithfully executed.
The foreign relations existing w ith tho regency of Tu
nis, are managed with considerable skill anil ingenuity.
' TVs policy of that goveriunedt, in their commercial
treaties, is to concede no point of essential importance,
and to secure to themselves, in addition to a tributary
sum such points as are intimately connected with that
policy. Thns the treaties with all the Christian powers
excepting England, France and America, bear a colora
ble but no real reciprocity; and even these last mention
ed powers afe not wholly exempt from the avarice and
rapacity of the bey, who contrives to secure from them
occasional contribution*, under the name and denomina
tion of annual, biennial, or consular presents.
Hamuda Pacha had a minister for many year's in his
ginploy, known by the name of tiie Sapatapa or seal
V-afer. This man, who was a compound of cruelty, ar-
tlfux and fraud, was peculiarly amiovingto the Christian
0 tales. His long experience made him familiar with
every kind of public business, and the bey placed in liis
.Ramils the power of concluding all treaties and negociat-
ing for their stipulations. Through this channel of vil-
lany and extortion must of the treaties existing at pre-
«Oit with the regency passed, and the Sapatapa general-
iy received a brihe e<jqal ia value to the one given to the
bey. fliis system of corruption was erdounged Tiv tla-
muda Paclia, who considered the wealth of mis minister*
as bis private property, subject at all times to his orders.
And thus for upwards of thirty years, the civilized pow
ers ot Europe were compelled to continue their relations
on such terms as the bev thought proper to aliow. Ha
muda Pacha died in tliefallof 1813, ancLit was suspect
ed by poison, although the proofs were not sufficient to
justify the suspicion/ *
The Mahometan fast of the Ramadan consists of thir
ty days, and finis in the months of July and August, the
most oppressive season of the year. This fast is most
rigidly observed by ail tnussulmen—they neither eat,
drink nor -moke, from sunrise until sunset, during th .t
period. The last day. just as the evening gun was about
to be fired, which concluded the fast of the Ramadan
and ushered in the feast ot Hiram, the bey, in tasting a
cup of coffee, fell down and instantly died. The utmost
consternation prevailed —the long reign of Hamuda Pa
cha—the vigor of ins administration—his high character,
and the suddenness of his death, ail combined to pro
duce the greatest alarm and dismay in the palace. Dur-
1114- tins confusion some of the minister-., and a few offi
cers, suddenly forced the brother ofVlainuda Pacha, Ot
toman, who was lamenting his death, into the chair of
state, and declared him bev. The oaths were immedi
ately administered—the flags were displayed, and the
cannon tired from the ramiarts, order anil tranquility
were restored, when Ottoman and Ismael, the legitimate
heirs to the throne, entered the palace; and, finding no
disposition evinced to recognise thur claim, they paid
their homage to tu- new sovereign and silently depart
ed. Ottoman Bey was a man of uncommon mildness,
and possessed many excellent qualities; ne, however, had
indulged 111 no expectations ot being chosen bey, and
therefore had taken no part in the public, councils. His
eldest son, called Si ii Saila, was a great favorite with
Hamuda Paella, who, having contemplated iiaining -uni
nis successor, had taken great pains 10 ac* istom li.m to
the roiiime of business, bid: Saila became the most im-
p <rtant and influential person on the ..ccesdon of Ins
fattier, and Ins conduct gave testimony of nis worth aim
integri v. M.mmaud, who considered his claim to the
siicccs ion as tile most undoubted and uuequivo ai, was
m 00 manner satisfied with tiie termination of tile- ehe-
tion; and, although lie was far advanced in life, and ot a
mild and peaceable nature, he felt it incumbent upon
him to use tus exertions to create a parly in ins favor;
and in this attempt he- whs stimulated by tiie ambitious
views of his (,wo sons, ft ssim and Must-pha, men of
quick and apt parts, but of ferocious and viila.'ious
character. ,
The plans vfnich they laid progressed rapidly, and al
though Ottoman Bey was advised of the slips which his
cousins wc-K- punning, and cautioned to their eflict, lie
neglected to coniine them. The revolution which was
approaching, at last look effect: Mohmaud entered at
night into the chamber of Ottoman Bey, and put linn to
death—tne attend mis around turn were destroyed. Sicli
baila and his brother fled, umler cover of toe night, and
reached ».ic Guteita, with a view of getting 011 board
some of ilie vessels which lay in the roads. The com
mander of the Golett i, who was also the minister of ma
rine, suspteting that some revolution had taken place
at tne palace, contrived to detain the prmecs until dawn,
when a troop of Mamelukes arrived, stating, diat Mali-
maud was created bey, and had issued orders to put Sid 1
.Salta and his brother n death. These unfortunate young
nen broke loose, and threw themselves 1:110 tne canal,
with an intention to drown themselves—tiieir object,
however, was defeated; they ware taken out, tneir hands
secured behind their backs with their siik s-shes, carried
outside of the Walls of tile Goietto, and were tacre cut
to pieces. Thus ended another revolution, which rest
tored tne regular succession, after an interregnum of
tmrty-two years. .
Tne most prominent character in commencing these
revolutions was SiiUYustif, the Sapatapa or prime minis-
r. This man originally was a Georgian and a Christian.
Having embraced the .Mahometan religion while a youth,
he had continued in the service ot Hamuda Pacha, and
was considered a man of extraordinary talents, lljs ava
rice and rapacity had made hun one of the richest men in
the kingdom—but during the reign of Hamuda he was
kept in constant check. The great difference of charac
ter discerned in his successors, Ottoman and Matunaud,
and the increased influence and importance of tue Sapa
tapa, induced him to believe that it was feasible, by ano
ther revolution to set aside Mahinaud Bey and liis fami
ly, amdpiace himself in their stead, it is not known that
proofs existed of tuis conspiracy—yet, as he was a dan
gerous cnar.ctcr, .Mantn iuj Bey determined to lake a fa
vorable moment and dispatch him—and in carrying this
plan into execution, the art and hypocricy of the Turkish
character, their de-ep and coid-hloodcd policy, was more
tli.ni strikingly manifested.
The Sapatapa had apartments in the palace, and his em
ployments and influence rendered it necessary that ne
should always be near the person of tiie bey. He was al
so accustomed to spend liis evenings nih the bey, or
with his two sons. The evening upon winch the bey
decided he should be killed, ue spent with die faijiiiy,
anil for a long nine was earnestly engaged in play ing a
game of chess with the son of iLssau Bey. After con-
v ersing on public aliairs some tune he nose, ordered a sm..il
iam ; > to be lighted, for the purpose of crossing- the court
y irit to liis apartments, and bade the family good mgiit.
As lie was about entering tiie door of has apartment, one
of tne guard informed him tluv the Bey wished to .q>eak
to him, and on turning back 10 retrace his steps, lie hail
occasion to pass a large hail, fronting die had of justice;
into this hall his guide conducted him, where to ins aston
ishment, iie saw several Mamelukes standing with drawn
swords; outlie floor was a Long cord, generally used f.r
strangling, and several wax candies were ranged, so as to
throw a distinct iighl on what was passing. As lie enter
ed, tiie tiacli Mameluke, or captain, attempted to seize
nun, when instantly suspecting the design, he stept back,
and drew from tus belt a togau.i, or small sword, with
which he struck the Captain across the checv, and being
then assailed by the Mw.ueiuk.es, lie defended himself
bravely; but being overpowered, they seiaed him, held
him down by the heard, and in this posnion cut liis throat.
Vfter his death the Bey ordered him to bestnpt, and car
ried into Tunis, and laid before a magniiicient mosque,
winch he had built at an expense ofuc„r a million of dol
lars. Such, however, was tue obnoxious character of the
Sapatapa, that the mob seized him, and ty ing a chain
around ids body, dragged. Him around the walls and
through die streets of Tunis, cut ti.e flesh from his bones,
and, with a characteristic ferocity, cruelly tnaiigied the
remains of a man whom they had long stood in tne utmost
awe. The Bey seized upon his property, wnich was said
to amount to near to two millions 01 dollars, and very
coolly appointed a successor.
From the Zanesville Depress, of September 12-
INDIAN MANNERS, Sec.
A person named Benjamin Powell, of about 45 yfars
of age, passed through this town last week on his return
from Indian slavery, after an absence from his friends
(sucii as survive) _ of nearly five years. ! le appears to be
a man of truth, and considerably mt.lligent. ills simple
but infecting narration excited a lively interest in Ins be-
halt in the feeling of several citizens in this place: they
administered to his necessities, by furnishing him with pe
cuniary aid sufficient to defray his expenses to Dayton,
where he expects to find some hi* surviving friends. In
confirmation of his interesting story, he exhibited a hand
neariy burnt off, and shew ed upwards of yuventv scars
on his body, most of which'were evidently made with a
tomahawk. Accompanied with stifh evidence, his state
ments gained him credence; of which statements the fol
lowing i» a brief sketch. •
Benjamin Powell in the year 1808, removed from Ken
tucky to the upper fork of the Sandusky river, and set
tled on a tract of land belonging to colonel Patterson.
The surrounding country was then a wilderness, except
that Powell had one neighbor, who lived at a short dis
tance from him. Powell had a wife and three children,
his neighbor had a family also. They had frequent in.
tercourse with the Indians, who were apparently very
civil and friendly for upwards of two yi*.-s after their
settlement in that part of the couptrv. Soon after the
battle of Tippecanoe, (of which Powell and bis neighbor
had not heard a syllable) to wit, on the.27th day of Oc
tober, 1811, about twilight in the evening, the cabin of
Powell was attacked by a number of Indians. His wife
and . idest son were shot dead, and the other two cliil-
dren killed with a tomahawk. Powell himself was then
shot through the body, and then tomahawked in a most
shocking manner, the Indians having given him between
twenty and thirty wounds, and supposing him dead, stay-
Fo reitTTIWP
bor .miljOl Ids family were killed at the same tithe.
Power was left in that dreadful situation until moniisi,
enduring the most exquisite pains of body from his m
merous wounds—his distress of mind no pen can d.
scribe; the darkness of rfie night was rendered fen fo
horrible bv the surrounding scene, while the “king <
terrors,” in his most “terrific form,” was staring him ii|
the Tsci. As soon as it was light, he saw an Indian ap
preaching him, whom he recognized to be an old ac
quaintance, a Siiawliee chief named the Little Caption^
Powell besought the savage to put an end to his misery.
The Little Captain gazed at him awhile and said, "no, nc,
the Great Spirit -won't let tne kill you.” He then dressed
his wounds, telling him it was the Prophet’s orders not
to kill any whom the Great Spirit Would not let tie,
(meaning, perhaps, that where the life of a victim was
preserved as it were by a miracle, as was the case of
Powell, it intjmated that it was the pleasure of the Gx at
Spirit that such a person should live.) Powell thinks
tiie Indians are excellent surgeons—they cured his
wounds with the nicest skill and most astonis'iiiff ra
pidity, although most of tile tone of his left thigh ^as
taken out during the cure.
As soon as practicable, Powell was carried to the »V/
Shawnee to am, situated about twenty miles from Lake
Erie: there, after he had continued about eight rnoois,
he got acquainted with the famous Bird; he saw his thunb
nails tvvjsred off bv the Indians in endeavoring to in ke
him disclose some plot which they suspected. After
Bird had got away and was brought back, Powell heard
him adjudged to three days burning, and ail the wltjte
' prisoners in the town were compelled to he witnesses of
I the distressing scene. Bird’s hand was burnt off and one
oThis arms consumed to the bone; when providentially u
Scotchman purchased "his life fora gallon of rum, as stat
ed in Bird’s story. *
Powell A-e.uuined with the savages upwards of four
years; "he was a stave to the Little Captain, who repeat
edly threatened him with cer aio death should he attempt
to make his escape, and who also reckoned his scalp
among his trophies of victory, often talking of taking it
off. Thus Powell lived in continual fear for his life. He
learned to sue; r- tile Shawnee language fluently, and gnt
acquainted with the manners and customs of the Indians.
He says, they can scarcely be called idolaters in tiie com
mon acceptation of the word; for they w orship tiie Great
Spirit, whose place of special residence they conceive to
be in the sun: they do not render religious homage to any
creature. The Prophet is a grand impostor, not more
remarkable for the ugliness.of his person than for the
deformity of his mind; a wretch destitute of feeling and
abandoned to every thing-that is bad. To tills demon in
human form, may be attributed most of the enormities
committed by the savages in the. Lie war. He hud a lib
eral education, and had been instructed in the Christian
religion, having been designed for a human Catholic
priest, lie, therefore, sins against knowledge. This
impostor made the credulous Indians b.licve tliat the
earthquakes ilk lolJ, were occasioned bv Ins shilling
himself anil that he had done it to punish them for not
fighting better against the Americans. He-also told them
tliat he had stopped a large hole at the bottom dt I ..ike
Erie which occasioned the unusual rise of the water in
that Lake. Being abie to foretell eclipses, he derived
not a little consequence from tliat circumstance. Powell
related a number of anecdotes concerning tiie Indians,
but we have not room to insert them here.
From the National Intelligencer, October 17.
We have published to-day an jmeount of the pub ic
meeting at New Orleans, respecting the late attack on die
Firebrand by a Spanish squadron.
It would be uncandid,if not unjust, in ns, to omit stat
ing, at the same time we publish these proceedings, tout
we have private information from New Orleans that there
were circumstances .attenaing this transaction, which
serve to palliate its apparent atrocity. The information
we have received we should not pretend to oppose to
official information; but it has the sanction of a name; and
appears to us to require a suspension of opinion until
nipre full information is received. Tiie particular facts
stated to us by our correspondent we should lay before
our renders, if we could do so with propriety before we
receive confirmation of them.
Abstractedly viewed, tiie attack on the Firebrand, if she
was known to bean United States’ vessel, was a most
wanton outrage, such as the Spanish government would
not in common prudence avow or authorize, since it is in
the power of the United States ata Word to strike to tne
vitals of Spain in her colonies. It is therefore probable
the attack, base and dastardly as it is represented to h ve
been, w ill be instantly disavowed by the Spanish govern
ment, and its authors punished, or delivered up to us for
punishment—an atonement, the demand of which must
precede, and the concession of which w ill prevent, war.
In the much more atrocious case of the CiiesapeaTre, ag
gravated by every circumstance of cold blooded malice,
uns course, pointed out by the laws of nations, and by
the rtne of reason, was purs&ed.
But, if there are circumstances not gcncmllv under
stood in tins case; for instance,if the Firebrand was m.-iuv
leagues westward of New Orleans, on the Spanish coast;
it she was in company with a vessel loaded with munitions
oi war from New Orleans, destined for a Mexican revo
lutionary province; it one of the most eminent barristers
or New Orleans was On hoard the vessel (the General
Jackson) thus m company with the Firebrand, as a super
cargo; if the character of our armed schooner was in tliat
situation liable to be mistaken, notwithstanding bercolors,
for a Carth.'.genian or other republican armed vessel; if
there be a q- foundation for these anil other circumstan
ces, of which ue are by letter assured, the case is certain
ly altered, and is involved in some perplexity, which it
requires tune and e vidence to di» mangle.
The event is an unfortunate one, in any view, and we
greatly lament it. We shall he grieved, however, if urged
on by the exasperation of the people of Xt u Oneuns,
who arc probably anxious for a war with Spain, our na
val commanders should take into their own hands the re
medy which it belongs to the government only to apply.
A war with Spain is perhaps not greatly to be deprecat
ed, but yet not to be anxiously wished: and, if we are en
gaged in war with her, let us see our way clear, and be
well satisfied, of the strength of ourgTouifd.
A tew days will afford us more satisfactory information.
yrether with a respectful adib- vs,
to support him in such measures as he mu r .Mpt to oh”***
satisfaction for the late violation of our : leg, and \j e fj 1 ’
TJuncAi,, Grymes and ^avezac are appoint tu’arid dammit.
Resolvef That it is pur opinion that the» chmrwandirf-
naval officer on this Station ought to procc ed Vo take i “
mediate satisfaction for the insult offdhxl n > i Vessel uT
der his command, and to the flag of hiscou; t»rV ; aV.d th u"
if he should have taken steps to inflict a pr- nript and
equate punishment upon the authors, we hi: rhVv aopre.v
the same, and feel the greatest confidence t h i Ifis- t,; .
so will meet the approbation of his governs leitt an 1 h-
counti* men in all parts of the union.
.Toshvv I.rwts, chai rrnt-.n
Per£it K. WaGsen, secretary
SPANISH AFFAIRS.
The account of the outrage committed on th * thvted
Stales’ vessel of war Firebrand,.by two Spanish y
meat vessels, from a correspondent, and «ubj.»i i ,
pears to be more circumstantial, than anv other 1,, k-t 0
fore received; and may be considered more cor, , :c‘ , j
the writer seems to. have derived his authority in 1 A.
atelv from captain Cunningham. What m.»v be the <■
sequences of this atrocious act, it is impossible to -
sec; but it will not undoubtedly be passed overuyj, ;, p "
punitv, either by the government or our gallant t K V_"
If the former can submit to such indignities, the ; ' ~Z
■will not.—Philadelphia Gazette.
Extract from a correspondent, dat' d
Shielthbomugh-bayf St. Louis, Sept. 8,
“ V circumstance has occurred, which, in the <;,-. r
of the duty 1 have imposed on myself, of keeps
acquainted with the occurrences in this qu„r;tr r,
this communication necessary.
‘■Yesterday morning we were surprised at the u -
a nee in the offing of three United States’ vessel,, *
schooner Firebrand, ketch Surprize, and gun
the two latter had only sailed on Sun-lav last < n a ...
month’s cruise, and the former was not esnern .
some weeks. On landing the officers, we were mfo r ,,
cd, that the Firebrand, captain Curiniiijrliani,». hire .. "
ing in the gulph, in the neighborhood of Vu-a r- .
■v s most wantonly attacked by two Spanish v.s V,
war, the one a heavy ship and tiie other aj>ng, v.-cj r „
.1 lyrg
’ 1 0I|
-lit; j
pMr-
wz
■ ‘ H>x.
n flag was
nispi..jt(j j a .„i
Nkw-Oslfaxs, September 20.
At a numerous and respectable meeting of the citizens of
New-Orleans, held offThursday, the 10th of Septtmber,
1816, agreeable to notice in the public prints, in con
sequence of the Lte wanton and atrouious attack upon
the honor of the American flag, by three ships of war
belonging to the king of Spain:—
The honorable Joshua Lewis was called to the chair, and
Peter K. Wagner appointed secretary.
The objects for which the meeting was called having
been briefly stated, the following resolutions were mov
ed, anil tiie sense of the meeting having been separately
taken upon them, they were carried unanimously; with
the exception of the lust, which, however, was adopted
by a very large majority.
Resolved, That tiie cowardly attack made b}* the Spa
nish squadron upon a small vessel of war of the United
States, on the high seas, excites our highest indignation -
that the circumstances which accompanied and followed
this attack,, are calculated to inflict a. lasting wound on
tiie honor of the nation, if suffered to go unrevenged.
Resolved, That indignities and stripes, inflicted on
our brave seamen, when, not expecting any hostility,
t>:y had puttuemselves in the power of an overwhelm
ing force, must corrode the mind of every American,
until the remembrance shalfbe erased by ample expiation!
Resolved, That the assertion of the exclnflve right to
navigate any part ofthe high seas, set up by the officers of
Spain, is as ridculous as it is insolent, and if not abandon
ed ought to be resisted with tiie whole force of the na
tion.
Resolved, That should a recourse be had to arms to
procure satisfaction for these injuries and insults, we will
cheerfully incur the risks and make the sacr'bces incident
to such a state of things and hereby pledge oureselves to
our government to support the measures they may think
fit to adopt on tliat subject.
Resolved, That the king of Spain, in demanding ofthe
United States, through his minister Don Onis, a cession of
part of the territory ofthe state ofLouisiana, evinced as
well a disposition to find pretexts of hostility with the
United States, as an utter disregard for the solemn obli.
gation of treaties; and tliat we never will consent to the
surrender of any portion of our felldw citizens to the do-
minionofcorruption, cruelty,and superstition,
Unpivcd,'
withstanding*the* Ami
captain C. did all in tabower to convince then, f) ;
being an American vSfci, did not cva„e , n i, lf
fiiv, until they had injured her verv niatvrij.'v, ai ,,-
geroiisly wounded one man. When fi.ty r< , m ,j c “
tain C. under a threat of tanking his vt-,' c ; if he (i,a
comply, to send his boat on board. An c.ffice r h -V r
■cordingly dispatched to the commander,aim nr.! Vo
ting on board he Was immediately confin.fi
turned into the coal pit. An oftici r vifi, tj,<
rules was then sent from the Spaniards on b nm, , jt y "
brand, who to;:k possession of the \esse c.ptair, C l'\ ~
ing-catised his colors to be Ion.red, and:is si 11..I-
thrown overboard. He then repaired I.in.scit v.i ! o vd.
the Spanish commander, and tendered h.s swore, *\ , rVl
however, was not accepted; and upon enqutr.nc ;, ie
c„use of the treatment he had received, lie w:.sf -ii.r-I
that the Spanish government iiad givtn orders to ia
cruisers to permit no foreign flag to sail i. tbetru'ph.
“Captain Cunningham was detained six or ti l,t *.r.urs
during which time he was treated in the n.ost abomitUic'
manner, and his crew very severely beaten and msae ;
the Spanish commander told captain Cunningh. ra, ti.„!
it he was really an American, the vice rov of Mtv.-i
would pay the damages done. Wc hgpe hoaever that
satisfaction will be obtained in another wav; as mes: for
tunately forour government, theyAave nowon tills sec
tion, three vessels, tiie Saranac, Boxer and Tom Bov ,mo,
either of whicii we think, would he able to give t!.c*s
two vessels a drubbing. In returning to port, the F,re
brand fell in with tire other two vessels before mentioned,
and they came in together for orders, li is unfortunate,
however, that the commodore is not t.ov here,* having
gone to the BaUM on public business. He is exp-cted
back in a few dW», when no doubt me.asurts will be tak
en to bring the haughty and iinperiou, dons to asms ?
respect to our tars. In fact we should not be surprise!/
tiie Boxer should fall in with these fellows, and se*t.. ; ;
business for thun b< fore she can receive anv forth..--:,
ders, as she sailed on a cruise in that direction. 1r. the
present very unsettled state of affairs between t:*•.*»
nations, I should be led to fear that if our eovernr ’
was inclined tor a rupture, they might make tins circi ro-
stance a serious cause of inisumlersuinui.ig; at am ran,
I think tii-t the spirit prevalent in the-navy .s ,ikely to
prov oke it.
* This place is about sixty miles from Ntna-Tork.
FALSE REPORT.
Having both seen and received Irish letters, dated ie--
oral weeks subsequent to the 25th of May, winch in..(!e
no mention whatever of the horrible transact! ,r, n p r;-
ed to have taken place on that day in the c-eiirv < ; a.
van, vve, from the first, suspected its truth; is f a
now f llv confirmed. Four persons who resided v.-i-n
four miles ofthe scene of actrtm, and who latuv arm t
Ni w-York, never heard of it until they Unritil in Air.-r-
ca! The respectable editor of the paper in which tre
•tccount hrst appeared, lias been grossly imposrel upon -
This is a kind of hoaxing of the vilest clescrij :.a.' Tit
ventriloquist at Baltimore, and the balloon. ?. .< Richmvai
only cheated the pi^iile of a few dollars; but t!it f. b.-.-r -
tor of tiie late Irish massacre, has attempted to injury a-
characterof a whole nation.—Amer&an.
FIRE IN THE WOODS.
Among other calamities incident to this season n! ACtt-
sivt drought, we are sorry to record the ruv p 5 of tig
in the woods around 11s. "in this town we have heard 0:
but little damage, but in Hebroo it had been more consid
erable; and in Rupert, (Vt.) hundreds of acres or M
mountains, are now on fire, and the progress ofthe de
vouring element cannot probably, be checked until
?rc favored with rain. The atmosphere in this vie- -
has for several days been constantly filled with smoke.-
A'orthern Fust.
Cork, August 20.
Royal Mvbutaoks.—By avessql from Lisbon, we
received accountsfrom thence, of tiie daje ofthe beik r »A
of the present montli, announcing tiie solemnization -
the marriage, by proxy, which has been so long in off !
ciation between the house of Bragunzaand the bn r-f 1,1
the family of Bourbon, on the throne of Spain 1 J
celebrated at Rio Janeiro, between Ferdinand me' H !li
brother, and the two Portuguese princessA. tiie i ; C d
of Ferdinand. Notwithstanding the continue! rcpiu ^
tiie approach, the arrival; and the disembarkation cl 1 1 ’■
princesses in Europe, they had not, according >° '' 1
est advices, quitted the Brazils, but it was certain!; t
pected that they would take 'their passage in a
fore--, prepared for their reception, Dnt it dots > ^
to be ascertained, whether they were to proceed v ,
Tagus, or to the bay of Cadiz. At tiie Spaiusii co j
was certainly expected, that the princesses wo'd®*^
in the Isle de l^eone, and the duke of Infantado. "b ‘
account of deep domestic affliction, hail repaired
rid, was on his return to Cadiz., o fulfil Jus honorably
sion, in giving reception to the royal brides at that py ^
The intelligence, with regard to the cerenionifs (l *
riage between these illustrious personage, are gi' en ‘", If
Lisbon Gazette, obtained tlirough the channel " f I
named, and at the vvestenj capital of ihe Portug ese I
there was every demonstration of rejoicing suited : * |
occasion,
CAUTION TO LADIES.
We understand that at a fashionable tea-party i \
city, the young lady of the family, as usual, was c f
upon to perform tiie honors of tiie tea table,
course of it, she had occasion to rise from her en ^
reach an article, on the opposite side of the " i! ''
the act-of resuming her seat, the end ot her e® r * .
unfortunately hitched in the rim of the waiter, ^
rible to relate! tilted the whole of its contents
lap!!—Hot coffee,boilipg tea, cream, tost, ca* ■>yi
one indiscriminate mass!—The scene of contus^ ^ ^
followed may be easily imagined. As this is 0
a8 a fact, we deem it a fit occasion to adrn °"' ! ’ g |M
particularly mothers, u.Uerly to discounte ■ c , F
pernicious and unseemly articles ol te{" al! ! - ^ s , a ld
Sequences to health far more injurious