Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

Communicated for the Philad. Gazette.

PIRATES IN THE CHINA SEAS.

In the last accounts from India, received by the way of England, we observe the loss of two vessels taken by the pirates who infest several parts of the eastern seas. The barbarous cruelty of these savage marauders, who, not satisfied with their booty, frequently put to death the unfortunate victims who become their prey, should serve as a caution to vessels visiting these seas, especially as the principal harbours resorted to by the pirates lay very near the track of vessels (out of season,) bound to Manilla, China, &c.

We understand that the ship Pacific, Collinson, lately arrived from Canton, having been obliged in consequence of a long passage down the pacific ocean, to touch for refreshments at the Island of Buero, (one of the Moluccas) was informed by the Dutch commandant at Cajela Bay that he had lately been blockaded by a fleet of 80 small vessels from the island of Papau, or New Guinea, which for the space of seven months lay off the harbor and completely stopped his communication with Amboyna, whence he usually received his supplies. During this protracted blockade the crews of the Papuan fleet subsisted on Sago, which they procured by landing on different parts of the island.

Not having been able to obtain any thing there but wood and water, the Pacific put into Delhi, a Portuguese settlement on the island of Timor. Upon landing here about the dusk of the evening, they were conducted to the Governor's House by a Malay interpreter, through whom they introduced themselves, and the object of their coming into port. Their reception from the governor Don Jose Pinto Alperoda de Azevedo, was extremely flattering and cordial, such only as could be expected on arriving among friends: he invited them to spend the night at his country house a short distance from the town, whither they were accompanied by the military officers of this station, and where they partook of an entertainment uniting the luxuries of Europe and Asia.

During their stay the governor communicated his plans for the improvement of the island, which from his patriotic and enterprising disposition, will, no doubt, in the course of a few years be carried to great perfection. Since his arrival there he has made large plantations of coffee, sugar cane and cotton, with which last article and wax (one of the staple productions of the country) he hopes soon to be able to supply cargoes for ships bound for China. Specimens of these articles were furnished the Pacific, which he is very anxious should be exhibited in this country.

The governor holds a distinguished military rank at the court of Brazil, and has always evinced the greatest partiality for the Americans, with whose customs and government he shewed himself well acquainted.

The Pacific met at this place a brig lately from Batavia, the captain of which mentioned that on his passage he had been attacked by 45 prows belonging to the pirates and escaped with the greatest difficulty. He further stated that they had taken two brigs which they had armed, and were headed by a Dutchman who had been deprived of some government on one of the islands.

As there is a dangerous reef running across the harbor of Delhi, vessels touching there for refreshments should heave to about 5 or 6 miles from the flag staf, which may be seen at a considerable distance, and fire a gun for a pilot—who will come off immediately.