Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Norfolk, November 27.

AUX-CAYES.

Capt. Lawrence, who arrived here on Wednesday last, from Aux-Cayes, draws a very sombre picture of this part of the Haytian republic; he states that the public officers, as well as the natives generally, appeared to conduct themselves towards strangers as if they regarded them merely as objects of plunder. If the master of a vessel wishes to land his cargo, there is no wharf to which he can moor his vessel, the one so called being entirely decayed and useless: consequently he must experience great difficulty in getting it on shore; and having to trust in some degree to the honesty of the tide waiters and laborers, he may count himself very lucky indeed if he unloads his vessel without being pilfered. A stranger who finds himself among these people, is compelled to be always on the alert to save his apparel or other property from pillage: and if he is on shore after night fall, his life cannot be considered safe.

In order to avail himself of a favorable wind, capt. L. got under way to leave the port a little before day break, at which time the pilot came on board to take him out, and, while all hands were busily engaged at their duty, contrived by some dexterous manoeuvre, (which would have done credit to a first rate professor of legerdemain) to pay out the hawser into his boat which was alongside, and send it away before it was missed. Capt. L. knowing the detention which he must necessarily experience by losing the wind, found himself reluctantly compelled to put up with the loss without making any effort to retrieve it, which would, in all probability, have been unsuccessful.

Capt. L. also represents the coast in the neighborhood of Aux-Cayes, to be swarming with pirates; they harbor in the small rivers and come out in open boats, armed with muskets and cutlasses, and attack every vessel they see; there has scarcely an American vessel passed Cape Anna Maria lately, that has escaped being plundered by them. The schr. Venus, capt. Sampson, of New-York, was boarded by one of these boats, and robbed of goods to the amount of $5,000: they several times threatened to kill capt. S. and plundered the crew of every article except the clothes they stood in. Capt. L. thinks it advisable for masters of vessels having to pass this coast, to go provided with small arms at least, to defend themselves against these black demons of plunder, whose fire arms are seldom in a condition for service, generally wanting lock or flint!

His excellency president Boyer and suite paid a visit to Aux-Cayes about ten days before capt. L. sailed: he was making a tour of observation through the country, and intended proceeding next to Jeremie.

Markets at Aux-Cayes--for American produce highly discouraging--flour plenty; price asked 14 dols. but small sales at that; pork 22 a 24; beef 20; bread 8; herrings plenty, but no sales; Island produce scarce; coffee 24 a 28 cents per lb. very little for sale; neither sugar or molasses to be had at any price.