The Enquirer

A RECAPTURE.

Extract of a letter from Salem, dated July 6.—"Arrived at Gloucester this day brig Pickering, Davis, 30 days from Gibraltar; was taken a week ago last Saturday, by the frigate Belvidere, and a prize master and 8 men put on board, and ordered for Halifax: was retaken by the crew, within about 6 miles of Halifax light, and the men brought into Gloucester. The Belvidere was much shattered in her stern, and lost one topmast. She had one killed and one man wounded, who died. The commander was slightly wounded. Four of the prize crew assisted in retaking the Pickering. We understand she was in ballast, and had no specie on board.

She was fired upon by one frigate."

Gloucester, July 6.—The brig Pickering, Davis, of this town, arrived to day from Lisbon. Off Cape Sable was captured by the frigate Belvidere, who put a prize master and 7 men on board, previously taking out all her crew and leaving only the master, mate, and cook. When in sight of Halifax Light-House, she was recaptured by the master, with the assistance of his mate and four of the English crew, who are ready to swear allegiance to our flag.

Having conversed with these men, and the Prize Master, it appears as a fact, according to their statements that on the 20th June the frigate Belvidere was chased by the President, Com. Rodgers—the chase began at 4 o'clock P. M. and continued until 9 P. M. when the President came up with the Belvidere and raked her stern three or four times, killed two men and wounded the English commander—that the Belvidere did not sail as fast as the President, at the beginning of the chase, as she was out of trim but after having hove overboard four anchors and a quantity of water from the fore part, she by that means escaped from being taken—that her quarters were very much shattered, and her main topmast shot through that she was going in to repair.

When the Prisoners were landing to be carried to the Garrison, there were two flags of our country half mast high one of them union down, on board of Mr. Ben Parsons' schooners upon which one of the English prisoners made very sharp remarks. I wish you to insert this last, although it will make Americans blush to read such disgraceful proceedings.

B at Pat]

Capt Davis, of the Pickering, fell in with the Jamaica fleet, June 23 in lat. 39, 53. long. 58—They consisted of 107 sail, and were then out 25 ds. from port. Capt D. was boarded by the Ranger Gun brig and treated politely.

Note. Belvidere—39 guns, Richard Byron, Captain, on the Halifax station, was launched in 1810. Steel's List.