Martinsburgh Gazette

Battle with Pirates.—Captain Cotton, of the schooner Thetis, arrived at New-York from the coast of Cuba, reports, that while lying at Manzanilla, on the 9th of May, the supercargo received intelligence that the vessel would be attacked by three piratical boats, and made preparations for defence accordingly, by loading the guns &c. and obtaining the assistance of four soldiers from the commandant. At half past 11, at night, the boats were discerned approaching, when all hands were called to quarters. When within hearing, the supercargo hailed them three times, but received no answer, and they continued to approach the Thetis, with their oars muffled With a glass, twelve men could be discovered in each boat. When within pistol shot, the boats were hailed again, but made no reply. The supercargo then fired a pistol in the air—when the boats instantly commenced a discharge of musketry at the Thetis. Their fire was warmly returned, and a brisk discharge from both sides was kept up for sixteen minutes, when the Thetis brought her large guns to bear upon them. and they began to haul off for the land. On the following morning three were found dead on the beach, and five, dreadfully wounded. were taken during the day, and remained in prison when the Thetis sailed. On the 12th, one of the canoes in which the pirates made the attack was found on the Keys, almost torn to pieces, with four dead bodies in it. They were all recognised by the inhabitants.