Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

OFFICIAL LETTER.
U. S. Schooner Porpoise, off the North Coast of Cuba. 20th January, 1822.
Sir: Having completed the necessary equipments of this vessel, at New Orleans, on the 7th inst. and previously given public notice that I should sail from the Balize on the 10th, with convoy, I have now the honor to inform you that I proceeded to sea on the day appointed, with five sail under my protection. On the 15th, having seen the vessels bound to Havana and Matanzas safe to their destined ports, I made all sail to the westward, and on the following day boarded the brig Bolina, of Boston, Gorham master, from whom I received the following information: That on the day previous, his vessel was captured by pirates, and robbed of every material they could carry away with them, at the same time treating the crew and himself with inhuman cruelty. After supplying him from this vessel with what necessaries he required, I made sail for the land, and early the following morning, (Saddle Hill, on the north coast of Cuba, then bearing S. by E.) I dispatched our boats, with forty men, under command of Lieut. Curtis, in pursuit of these enemies of the human race. The boats having crossed the reef, which here extends considerable distance from the shore, very soon discovered, chased, and captured, a piratical schr the crew of which made their escape to the woods. Lieut. Curtis very judiciously manned the prize from our boats and proceeded about 10 miles to leeward where, it was understood, the principal depot of these marauders was established. This he fortunately discovered and attacked. A slight skirmish here took place, but, as our force advanced the opposing party precipitately retreated. We then took possession, and burnt and destroyed their fleet, consisting of five vessels--one of them a beautiful new schooner, of about 60 tons, ready for sea, with the exception of her sails. We also took three prisoners; the others fled to the woods
In the affair just mentioned the officers of the expedition state the enemy's loss to be severe. (Only one man was wounded in our boats--and it is worthy of remark, that this man was one of their own gang, then a prisoner in our possession, and surrounded by our own people.)
The destruction of this place will I trust, be of some service. From information by me received, it was their principal depot, from whence they dispatched squadrons to Cape Antonio. There returning, loaded with plunder, it was transhipped to Havana in vessels unfit from there for that purpose. Stores and materials were collected on the spot, not only for repairing but building vessels.
The prisoners now on board are recognized by a seaman in my possession who was one of the crew of the English ship Alexander, of Greenock, lately burnt by those pirates; and, not content with destroying the vessel, they inhumanly butchered her unfortunate commander. The seaman in question I retain as an evidence in the case.
Lieut. Curtis speaks in the highest terms of the gallantry and good conduct of Midshipmen Pinkney, Kingston, and Morris; as also of Dr. Terril, and every other officer and man employed in the expedition. Nothing could exceed their ardor in pursuit but their enthusiasm in attack, and both affording abundant proof that more would have been done had more been required.
I have manned one of the schooners taken, a very fine fast sailing vessel, and keep her with me. She will prove of great service in my further operations on this coast.
I cannot close this letter, sir, without naming to you Lieut. Curtis, whose conduct, not only in the present instance, but in every other respect, during the period he has been under my command, has merited my warm and decided approbation.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JAMES RAMAGE.
Honorable Smith Thompson,
Secretary of the Navy