Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

MORE SPANISH ATROCITY.

In the brig Mohawk arrived at Norfolk from Jamaica, came passengers, capt. Mathews of the schr. Adeline, of Baltimore. Philip Chartrand of do. and several seamen.

Capt. Mathews has furnished us with the following statement of the villainous and inhuman treatment, by the Spaniards of all those who unfortunately fell into their hands. He sailed from Baltimore on the 4th dec. 1815, in the schr. Adeline and on the 16th spoke a sloop from Santa Martha, bound to Porto-Rico, and was informed of the surrender of Carthagena to his Catholic Majesty's troops under gen. Morillo.

On the 19th saw the Highland of Carthagena, and made sail for it, saw a Frigate at anchor a little to windward of the town, and shortly after, saw five more vessels at anchor, to leeward of the port. He came to an anchor with the schr in 2 1-2 fathoms water, the citadel with the Republican flag flying about 3-4 of a mile distant ; three boats made for us from their frigate, their schooners at the same time running in the batteries of the town fired on them : we were hailed from the shore to send our boat : mean while two launches full of armed men came off. boarded and took possession of the Adeline in the name of the Spanish Government, the officers and crew plundered. and stripped of every thing ; ordered into the boat; sent on shore, driven on before them in a shameful manner, and beaten with the but ends of their muskets, till they reached a prison, where they found 160 Americans and British who had in like manner fallen into their hands since the fall of Carthagena, and who had experienced a similar treatment.

The prison being exposed to the weather, together with the filth with which the floor was covered, caused a daily removal of some of their comrades to the hospital, from whence few ever returned. The scanty rations allowed them were sometimes kept back for two or three days, and the applications to gen. Morillo, met with no attention ; on the contrary it only served to increase the abominable and atrocious conduct of the officers and soldiers, which has never been equalled by that of the Algerines.

On the 16th Feb. we were to be sent to Santa Martha for trial. Mules were prepared for the sick (about one third of our number) and escorted by an ensign, 2 sergeants and 50 men, we took up our march, about 200 miles by land, and two days and one night through lakes, and creeks, to reach our place of destination. Frequently on the march when the men could not keep up with these barbarians who were all mounted on mules, they would knock them down with their muskets ; and three of them actually died with fatigue. We reached Santa Martha on the 16th day.

We are separated into two prisons a strong guard placed over us, being allowed one rial and a half for our subsistence.

During our stay at Santa Martha, (which was one month) Admiral Douglas had made several applications to Montalo, the Vice Roy of Nueva Grenada, for the release of the British subjects.

On the 30th of March, 1816, the British Brig Forester, capt. Henry, arrived with orders to demand their subjects, when the crews were all given up except Masters, Officers, Supercargoes and Passengers, whom they positively refused to deliver. From this we had reason to suspect something serious was intended against us Accordingly on the 4th April, eleven of the masters, officers, &c. of the American and British vessels, attempted to force the guards, nine of whom succeeded in getting down to the Forester's Boat, which was waiting for their reception.

Unfortunately, J. Smith, chief Mate of the Adeline, in the attempt, was run through the body with a bayonet : and the soldiers beat out his brains with the but ends of their muskets. One other a British subject, was wounded & taken back to the prison.

The number of prisoners left at Santa Martha, in close confinement in their stocks, were twelve, viz: Mr. Cooper, supercargo of the Adeline, and three of the crew : capt. Alfred Eastin, of the schr. Charles Stewart, of N. Orleans. his Supercargo Mr. Stanley, and two of the seamen : the others British subjects.

The situation of capt. Eastin was peculiarly deplorable, he having experienced the most severe treatment from them in consequence of information being lodged against him by a Portuguese sailor (without foundation too) that he intended to make an attempt to cut his schooner out. He was immediately put in close confinement. and threatened that he should never come out alive, the execution of which threat was rendered doubly probable after the escape of the others.

The conduct of capt. Henry, of the Forester, surpasses all eulogy, and merits our eternal gratitude, he received the Americans as freely as the British subjects and his humanity to them after they got on board was conspicuous.

The narrative given above by captain Mathews, is we think, well calculated to excite the indignation of every American who feels tenacious of his country's honor, and sympathises with those who are the unfortunate victims of Spanish barbarity. We hope our government will not lose a moment in demanding the immediate release of our captive countrymen, and the most ample redress for the lawless and brutal conduct of the Spanish royalists. Captain Mathews states, that a single Frigate would be sufficient to lay Santa Martha in ashes. Sure then no time will be lost in sending out a sufficient force competent to chastise their insolence, and enforce a recognition of our rights.

Beacon.