oaded one on fire, and took
to the woods. Lieutenant M'Intosh, who went on the expedition,
took four of the vessels, the boat having escaped. The vessel
sat on fire was entirely destroyed, but few remnants of goods
were saved, and those partly burnt. The pirates had a train of
powder to blow up the vessel on the approach of the boats.

"On the 17th, at noon, Capt. Kearney brought all the vessels at
anchor near our wreck, and sent his crew to our assistance, the
Combine being in a bilged condition, with seven feet of water
in her hold, and her rudder unshipped. He then loaded three of
the late piratical vessels out of the cargo of the Aristides,
also the American Schooner Bold Commander, of Staten Island,
with goods, one cable, and some of her sails. The brig has on
board some goods, a chain cable and a hawser, the latter taken
from the pirates.

"Captain Kearney, after having done his utmost, and saved all
he could, in loading the four vessels and his brig, set the
wreck on fire on the 20th, at 7 P. M. and remained by her until
she was burnt to the water's edge. She was in ten feet of water
when I abandoned her, 8 A. M. all in flames. This whole
dreadful calamity has nearly overpowered me. A Columbian
schooner of one long gun and eighty men likewise anchored near
the wreck before she was destroyed, and took a few casks porter
and a few bales goods, which would otherwise have been burnt
with the vessel. This was done with the consent of Captain
Kearney after he had loaded all the other vessels.

"I shall ever be grateful to Captain Kearney for his kind
assistance, friendship and hospitality. He offered me his own
clothes, as I was destitute of everything. He will call at
Havanna, and from thence proceed to Charleston, where he will
deliver the vessels and goods to the proper authorities."

Captain Kearney proceeded with his prizes to Charleston, where the
vessels and goods were condemned, and sold within eleven days after his
arrival to accommodate him and his crew, when he sailed on another
cruise. This gave me no opportunity to reclaim my property, Mr. Stoney
having neglected to claim it for me. Some weeks after, having learned
that the property had been carried into Charleston and sold, I proceeded
to that place and applied to the District Judge of the United States,