Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

THE GAZETTE.
Thursday, September 15, 1814.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Bangor, to his friend in this town, dated Sept. 8th, 1814.

"The British ships and land forces have been in this town, and the inhabitants paroled prisoners of war. All this was done in 46 hours from the time we heard of their being in the bay. Of the military operations of Hampden, I say nothing. You will have various accounts, the official will no doubt be correct.

The owners of vessels at Frankfort were endeavouring to get them up the river, supposing it might be possible Captain Morris and the militia would give the enemy a check-in this we were disappointed, and we had the grief to see six of them in flames, besides a great number of others go down the river before the enemy.

The loss of property in this town and Hampden is very great indeed, independent of a large amount in goods and vessels which have fallen in here in prizes within the year past. For four vessels on the stocks in this town, the Selectmen in behalf of the town, signed a bond of $30,000 to deliver them at Castine in October: what better terms we may eventually get on this contract depends I think much on their future operations in this part of the country-Orders countermanding the order or burning these ships were given just as the match was placed to a ship 375 tons and in the midst of wooden buildings.

You can hardly conceive the horrors of such a visit-indeed I can now hardly realize what we have witnessed; this little place filled with soldiers and sailors, and all the stores on the west side of the bridge were in one hour from the time they arrived completely rifled. The insolence of the naval commander was intolerable; his name is Barrie, and has left an impression far from being very favorable of the honor of a British officer. The officers of the land forces were of a very different cast.

I feel much alarmed for your safety-I have no doubt they are moving westward, and tremble for Portland. You may be out of danger, but I do really advise you to move your stock into the country, the loss in your business cannot be great during the present unsettled situation of things-once should the enemy get possession of the town you will, in my opinion, save it, for say what they will respecting private property, nothing is safe where the British sailors and soldiers are. If you have any apprehensions of danger in their getting possession of the town (and I have no doubt they are going there) I really hope you will avail yourself of the opportunity of getting as much of your property out of town as possible.

Houses which were occupied escaped plunder generally here, but those which were deserted were pillaged of every thing, and should you move your family take all your furniture, their system is burning it seems. Pray let me know what your intention is, and your opinion of your ability to defend. Depend upon it a grand attempt is to be made somewhere and Portland or Boston is the object.- What will be the result of this, time alone can determine; the storm thickens fast over our heads but we must not despond."