Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

On Thursday last, about one hundred miles to the eastward of the bar, captain Hutchinson, of the ship Rolla, from Liverpool, fell in with the French privateer schooner Superb, captain Dominique, and was ordered to come on board the privateer with his papers. This order capt. H. immediately complied with; but no sooner had he got on board than he was surrounded by fifteen or twenty Frenchmen, Spaniards, and mulattoes, who with violent threats and much abuse, drawing their knives and daggers, were proceeding to take his papers by force. This capt. H. resisted, but shewing each of his papers separately, they were satisfied of the property being American, and told him he might proceed.

While capt. Hutchinson was undergoing this examination, a lieutenant and six of the privateersmen jumped into the Rolla's boat, and going on board the ship commenced a most disgraceful scene of plunder--breaking open the chests in the cabin, stealing every article they could lay their hands on, and otherwise behaving like savages and pirates. On capt. H. returning to the ship they were about taking away his boat--upon his refusing to give her up, the privateersman struck him several times, and threatened to stab him-- but finding him resolute and determined not to give up his property without a struggle, they went off.

Capt. Hutchinson was informed by some of the crew, that they had engaged a ship off our bar, which they supposed to be a Guineaman: and that they had four men killed in the action. The sails and rigging of the privateer were much cut, but her hull did not appear to have received much injury.--A great number of wounded men were on the decks, one of whom captain H. supposed to be the captain. -They also confirmed the report of the captain having shot the lieutenant, for attempting to haul down the colours. The privateer had but two guns mounted -the rest, they stated, were in the hold. Captain H. observed several people below, whom he supposed to be prisoners; but was not suffered to speak to any of them.

-Courier.