PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LA11uR Brig, and a sail being discovered to the eastward, it was supposed to be the schooner Sanfillippe, a US merchant vessel then engaged in regular trade between Velasco and N. O-The Steamer Laura proceeded to meet her; and on coming along side there was found on board, a full armament, consisting of two 4 pounders, muskets, amunition &C, pro- vided at New Orleans with the expectation of meeting the Correo at sea,-also a large number of passengers, among whom was Genl Stephen F Austin, then on his return from his long imprisonment in Mexico, and Col Grayson, who had gone to Mexico for the purpose procuring [sic] hi~ liberation in l\Iexico-The San Fillippi came to anchor at the mouth of the river, and near the Tremont, discharged a portion of her passengers on board the Laura consisting principly of women and children; and at the urgent solicitations of his friend Genl Austin was finally pursuaded also to go ashore. The Schooner Correo, during this time, was lying to, to the westward about 2 miles distant. At sunset she commenced beating to windward & towards the two vessels, San F and the Tremont-The small boat which she had seized at Anahuac, maned by 10 men also accompanied her. When the small boat came In point blank shot of the San Fillippi, she fired a volley of musketry mto the San F-which was followed up by a cannon shot from the Correo-- 3 vollies of musketry from the small boat, & two cannon shots f:om the Correo were discharged before any return was given from the Sm Fillippi- The action then became general on both sides; and ccntinued about one one [sic] hour, until in the darkness of the night, tm Correo & the small boat were both lost sight of-The San F. then raJ. back to.the Tremont & came to anchor-At the dawn of day next morning, the Correo was discovered about 8 miles distant bearing for l\htamoras. She was pursued by the San Fillippi, but the wind being light neither vessel made much progress. l\Ieantime the steamer Laura, joi1ed the San Fillippi; and taking her in tow both gave chase to the Cmreo--On board the Laura there were 2 of the Crew of the brig Tnmont who had been detained on board the Correo, the day pre- vio11s-and during the action of the preceeding night were on Quarter decl, when a cannon shot from the San F. struck the Correo, ca_rrying away the davits, and dropping the small boat in the water. There men perceiving this in the midst or the action sprang into the boat & got safely to shore-They now went out with the Laura. When the San- filli?pi arrived within tt mile of the Correo, Capt. Thompson dispatched a small boat with a flag of truce in command of Capt Ocampo a mexican offic3r, who boarded the San F- on his arrival he stated to Capt Hurd, commanding the San F. that he was directed by Capt Thompson, to enq,ire why he Capt Hurd, had attacked, and why he pursued him- Hurd in reply, directed Capt Ocampo to surrender his sword, stating that he held no party, and respected no flag of truce from pirates; and that he would give Capt Thompson a personal answer to his message in 2 few minutes-Capt Ocampo was ordered under guard below, when the sword of Ocampo was demanded, by Capt Hurd, one of the volun- teers standing by immediately reiterated the command of Hurd; and before the order could be translated by the interpreter, he suited the action to the command and seizing the sword of Ocampo by the hilt, drew the blade from him, Ocampo at the same time graspin~ the scab-
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