A Spanish guarda costa, belonging to the Havannah, named the St. Joseph, having had the temerity to anchor in Kingston harbour, and there to seize a Spanish trading sloop, under pretence of her being a smuggler. The commanding officer of the fort finding the guarda costa had got under way with the sloop in company, caused a gun to be fired at her to bring her to, and to oblige her to set the sloop at liberty. A Spanish Gentleman, who was on the battery, argued with great warmth, that the guarda costa would not bring to, alledging that she was commanded by a King's officer, and puffed up with this thought, he offered to lay any person then on the battery 500 doublons that she would not bring to or lower her sails for their firing, which bet was immediately taken up by Sir Charles Price, Baronet, who went himself and levelled a 32 pounder loaded with chain shot, at her, and she not minding the two first guns, he fired his, which carried away her mast about 8 Feet above her deck, on which she speedily put out her boat, and, by the help of her and her oars, returned into the harbour, and Sir CharlesĀ Price pocketed the 500 doublons, to the no small mortification of the haughty Spaniard. The crew are thrown into gaol in irons, and will be tried as pirates.