The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

From the National Intelligencer
TERRIBLE BLOW TO THE PIRATES.

We have been favored by a friend in this city with the following letter, received from an officer of Commodore Porter's Squadron.

Matanzas, July 10th, 1823.

"I have the pleasure of informing you of a brilliant achievement obtained against the Pirates on the 5th inst. by two barges attached to Commodore Porter's Squadron--the Gallinipper, Lieut. Watson, 18 men and the Musquito, Lieut. Inman, 10 men.

The barges were returning from a cruise to the windward; when they were near Jiguapa Bay, 13 leagues to the windward of this port, they entered it, it being a rendezvous for pirates; they immediately discovered a large schooner under way, which they supposed to be a Patriot privateer; and as their stores were nearly exhausted, they hoped to obtain some supplies from her; they therefore made sail in pursuit. When they were within cannon-shot distance, she rounded to and fired her long gun, at the same time ran up the bloody flag, directing her course towards the shore, continuing to fire without effect; when she had got within a short distance of shore, she came to with springs on her cable, continuing to fire: and when the barges were within 30 yards, they fired their muskets without touching boat or man; our men gave three cheers, and prepared to board; the pirates discovering their intention, jumped into the water when the barge-men, calling on the name of "Allen," commenced a destructive slaughter, killing them in the water and as they landed; so exasperated were our men, that it was impossible for their officers to restrain them, and many were killed after orders were given to grant quarters. Twenty-seven dead were counted, some sunk, five taken prisoners by the bargemen, and eight taken by a party of Spaniards on the shore; the officers calculate that from 30 to 35 were killed. The schooner mounted a long nine pounder on a pivot, and 4 fours, with every other necessary armament, and a crew of 50 to 60 men and ought to have blown the barges to atoms, commanded by the notorious pirate Diableto or Little Devil; this statement I have from Captain Watson himself, and it is certainly the most decisive operation that has been effected against those murderers, either by the English or American force.

This affair occurred on the spot where the brave Allen fell about one year since.

From the St. Louis Republican, July 23.