Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

BY THE LAST MAIL

PORTSMOUTH, N. H. November 3.

Truth in its True Colors!

On Tuesday arrived here the brig Jane, captain Morse, who sailed from this port by permission from the President of the United States, about ten weeks since, for the purpose of collecting a demand at St. Vincents. We hand the following as a correct statement made by him: That the vessel sailed from this port on the 14th of August last for St. Vincents, captain Abraham Shaw against the estate of Josiah Durham, esq. deceased, and arrived at S. Vincents on the 7th of September collected on said demand 68 puncheons rum and 28 hids molasses, amounting to 4400 dollars 72 cents; on the 2d October sailed from St. Vincents for this port; on the 5th of October in lat. 18, 25, N. long. 63, W. fell in with a French ship of war and two armed brigs in company, brought us too after firing four guns, sent their boat and took every person on board and took the brig in tow; it being dark with a breeze, they were not enabled to take our baggage on board the commodore. On the 6th, began to see the sacrifice or property; at day light the brig's boat was put over the side, and every small article of stores and the plunder of all the chests were put on board and carried off; at 10 a. m. the three vessels hoisted out their largest boats and began to discharge the brig and receive equally on board each vessel. By this time we learned by one of their people, that their vessels were on their way direct for France, and were only going to take out part of the cargo, then the brig was to share the same fate of the brig Julian, capt. Lee, which was sunk a few days before, after being plundered; she sailed from St. Vincents in company with the Jane, with a similar cargo. After they had taken 85 puncheons of rum, every small article of provision that could be gained, and all our light sails and small rigging and plundered the whole crew of almost all their wearing apparel, they were then about to sink the brig. Proposals were then made on our part to the commodore to purchase the brig after she was condemned by their Imperial decree; the answer was, they would consider of the matter till the afternoon, when about half past four, they informed us we could have the brig for 1000 dollars, drawing bills on our owners at 90 days, being obliged to comply with those terms, they gave us a bill of sale, with a condemnation of the brig and cargo; we were then permitted to depart, taking on board our vessel the captain and crew of the brig Julian, which made fifteen persons, on board the Jane, with only 40 lbs. bread and 50 lbs. beef. and left in this situation in lat. 19, 30. N. long. 49, 20, W. to stem our hard fate: fortunately on the morning following saw three sail to leeward, which, after 8 hours chase, we came up with, who were humane enough to take seven of our people and supplied us with a small quantity of provisions, which enabled us, by the blessing of God, continuing on short allowance, once more to reach our native land of liberty, in safety.