at "the captain had, or
pretended to have, a commission under General Traspelascus,
commander-in-chief of the republic of Mexico, authorizing him to take
all cargoes whatever of provisions, bound to any royalist Spanish
port--that my cargo being bound to an enemy's port, must be condemned;
but that the vessel should be given up and be put into a fair channel
for Trinidad, where I was bound." I requested him to examine the papers
thoroughly, and perhaps he would be convinced to the contrary, and told
him my cargo was all American property taken in at Boston, and consigned
to an American gentleman, agent at Trinidad. But the captain would not
take the trouble, but ordered both vessels under way immediately, and
commenced beating up amongst the Keys through most of the day, the wind
being very light. They now sent their boats on board the Exertion for
stores, and commenced plundering her of bread, butter, lard, onions,
potatoes, fish, beans, &c., took up some sugar box shocks that were on
deck, and found the barrels of apples; selected the best of them and
threw the rest overboard. They inquired for spirits, wine, cider, &c.
and were told "they had already taken all that was on board." But not
satisfied they proceeded to search the state rooms and forcastle, ripped
up the floor of the later and found some boxes of bottled cider, which
they carried to their vessel, gave three cheers, in an exulting manner
to me, and then began drinking it with such freedom, that a violent
quarrel arose between officers and men, which came very near ending in
bloodshed. I was accused of falsehood, for saying they had got all the
liquors that were on board, and I thought they had; the truth was, I
never had any bill of lading of the cider, and consequently had no
recollection of its being on board; yet it served them as an excuse for
being insolent. In the evening peace was restored and they sung songs. I
was suffered to go below for the night, and they placed a guard over me,
stationed at the companion way.

Wednesday, 19th, commenced with moderate easterly winds, beating towards
the northeast, the pirate's boats frequently going on board the Exertion
for potatoes, fish, beans, butter, &c. which were used with great waste
and extravagance. They gave me food and drink, but of bad quality, more
particularly the victuals, which was wretchedly cooked. The place
assigned me to eat was covered with dirt and vermin. It appeared that
their great obj