Charles Boarman. a Lieutenant in the Navy of the United States, being duly sworn, according to law, deposes and says

A. As lieutenant I commanded the schooner Weasel, from the 20th July, 1824, till the return of Commodore Porter. | Q. On what particular service were you engaged during that period of time? | A. From the time of my arrival at St. Barts, on the 15th August, I was employed during the whole time, in convoying and cruising for pirates. Went to Crab Island in pursuit of pirates — captured a boat; the pirates escaped on shore. In September sailed from Havana for the Gulf of Mexico, convoying three American vessels; arrived at Campeachy; sailed to Alvarado, and made my report of the 5th December, (read and annexed;) thence sailed to Tampico, inquiring after pirates, and furnishing protection to our commerce; and having fulfilled my orders, took on board specie for the United States, arrived at the Havana, and made my report of the 21st January, 1825. | Q. During this time, what amount of specie did you carry on freight, from, and to, what ports? | A. I carried about $65,000 from Tampico, shipped for New York: about $20,000 of it was subject to the order of a merchant at Havana, and was there transferred to an English frigate; of this about $14,000 was shipped by an American house, and a part of the money was shipped by Spaniards. At Havana from three to four thousand dollars was put on board, and landed at Norfolk. | Q. What amount of freight was paid for this transportation, and how was it appropriated? | A. About $1,200 was paid; one-third I gave to Commodore Porter, and the residue I retained. | Q. Did this canning of specie interfere in any manner with your attention to the suppression of piracy, and the protection of American commerce? | A. Not in the least. I was offered money at Campeachy to carry to the United States, but would receive none until 1 had completed my cruise, and was on the eve of returning to the United States; and I sailed as soon as I should have done had I carried no specie. | Q. Did the general protection of American property and commerce, and th