The Hillsborough Recorder

Extract of a letter received by the schooner Eliza, Capt. Williams, from a Gentleman to a commercial House in this City dated Matanzas, 27th Sept. 1821.

Three terrible events have just taken place. Three American vessels—two of them coming in, viz. the brig John Smith, and the schooner Milo, of Boston—another the sloop Colito, of Richmond! HAVE BEEN CAPTURED at the entrance of this harbour, by a launch fitted out here: manned with vile wretches, viz. one Portuguese, six Spaniards—and two Englishmen. This had the captain and two men of the schr. and then ordered her to the northward—they murdered all of the brig, opened their entrails, hauled them by the ribs to the mast-head, and afterwards set fire to the vessel and all were consumed.

The sloop was more fortunate—the pirates contented themselves with severing the crew and plundering her of the most valuable articles on board— even then collected the combustibles and set them on fire and left her, hoping as in the case of the brig, to consume vessel and crew together, but these fortunately had strength sufficient to take to her long boat, and have safely got back to Matanzas.

On their arrival they applied to the Governor for protection, and after some delay, he allowed the Americans in this place to arm in pursuit of the pirates. Three boats full set out in quest of them, and after a cruise of 36 hours, have just returned without success.

The above account is not entirely correct. None of the crew of the schr. Milo were murdered, as appears from the following article, which we copy from a New York paper.

More Piracy.—The schooner Milo, arrived at Bath, (Maine) reports that on the 20th ult. 16 hours out, the pan of Matanzas bearing S. W. 10 miles, was boarded by a row boat from the shore, manned with ten men armed with muskets, swords, pistols and knives—they cut and knocked down several of the crew, and drove every man below—having left two men on board the remainder boarded the brig Mechanic, Purington, of Portland, (which was in company) and remained on board about 4 hours—they then returned to the Milo, and robbed the captain of his money, $800, watch and clothing, several articles from the crew, all the cabin stores, and nearly every thing that was moveable—they then left the schooner and proceeded towards the shore. Captain Cushing saw three of the men in Matanzas, and also the boat, which was 25 or 30 feet long, and was carried out in February last from Baltimore, in the schooner Iris, of that place.