The Portland Gazette

Daring Piracy.—The brig Mary-Joan, Purinton, of Harpswell, arrived at Savannah 30th ult. the logbook of which states, that on her passage from Matanzas and Havana, 22d Aug. about sunrise, after doubling the Point of Matanzas, a schooner-rigged boat of about 14 tons came abreast, and ordered them to heave to, and on the brig's endeavouring to haul off, compelled her to comply by firing musketry into her, and ordered the captain on board with his papers and all his crew; five of the pirates then boarded the brig and robbed her of a compass, medicine chest, cabin furniture, captain and mate's clothes, watches and money; and then returned on board the schooner. On Capt. P's requesting they would leave some of the clothes, they threatened his life, and drove him and his men on board into the boat, where were 9 men armed with swords, pistols, muskets and knives.—Some time after they had returned on board the brig, the pirates again chased and boarded her; one of them struck Capt. P with his cutlass, who being wounded, jumped overboard, but swam up, and caught and hung by the chains, from whence they took him in, and with a pistol at his breast demanded of him every thing that was of value. After some threats, they held a council, and stated that the majority were for destroying the vessel and crew, but promised nevertheless to spare their lives and vessel if they would not go within three leagues of Cuba; and if they caught them going towards Matanzas or Havana, would destroy the vessel, and murder every man. They were now robbed of nearly all their provisions, their sails cut away, new rigging taken off, and had only one old compass left. The pirates were Spaniards, Portuguese and English. In this destitute condition, the brig bore away for Savannah, the wind being fresh at W. S. W. In this gale sprung a-leak, and threw over part of the deckload. On the 29th struck on the South Breakers; a pilot came on board, and found it necessary to throw over the rest of the deck load to save the vessel; at the rise of the tide began to float, and were obliged to cut away the small bower; ran about half a mile, and struck on a reef; let go the best bower, to prevent her going further on; the tide soon enabled them to get off, and at 7 P. M. came to anchor above Tybee Light.—This and numerous other cases show that our trade wants protection.