Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

TRAIT OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

In the reign of Queen Anne, a ship of about three hundred tons, mounting twenty cannons, manned by pirates, appeared off the Harbor of Newport cruising between Block Island and Point Judith, interrupting every vessel that attempted to pass, and treating their crews with severity. To remove an annoyance so injurious to the comfort and prosperity of the inhabitants of Newport, two resolute young men, John and William Wanton, determined to attempt her capture, and the means they resorted to were as novel as the success was glorious. They no sooner intimated their intention than they were joined by thirty young men of their acquaintance. A sloop of about sixty tons was engaged for the enterprise. This noble band went on board with only their small arms, and sailed out of the harbor to all appearance on a coasting voyage: every person being below, except a sufficient number to navigate the sloop. As they drew near, apparently with an intention to pass the ship, a shot was fired at them. They immediately lowered the peak of their main-sail, and luffed up for the ship; but instead of bringing her alongside they came directly under her stern, when the men jumped on deck, and grappled her to the ship, and with wedges ready for the purpose fastened her rudder, by driving them between that and the stern post, so as to render the ship absolutely unmanageable. Having so far succeeded in their enterprise, each man took his musket, and being all marksmen, every pirate that showed himself on board the ship was instantly shot; and, after a great variety of unavailing efforts to disengage themselves, and losing a great number of their men, they surrendered, and were brought in triumph by this gallant band into the harbor of New-Port. Queen Anne being informed of this heroic achievement, presented the two brothers John and William Wanton, with a large silver bowl and salver, on which was engraved a Latin quatrain appropriate to the exploit.