Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Capt. Champlin, in the schooner Venus, arrived at New-London, on the 16th instant, from Aux-Cayes, and, with his men, made oath, that 'there came passenger in said schooner, a French gentleman by the name of Jean Douillard Faubaine, a man between 40 and 50 years of age, who said he was bound to New-London with a view to go from thence to New-York, and take passage in the packet for L'Orient, having nothing with him but what was contained in a small trunk, except his matross, bedding and a few clothes. Nothing remarkable happened until the 10th of July, when he seemed to be disordered in his mind, and complained of a mal de tête, or pain in his head. He continued in this situation until the 15th of July; during which time he appeared wild; and, from his conduct, gave them reason to apprehend he intended jumping overboard, watching the cabin windows very attentively. In consequence of this apprehension, Capt. Champlin paid more attention to him, and endeavoured not to leave him without having an eye to him.--On the 15th of July, in the evening, he shaved and dressed himself in his best clothes;--it blowing pretty hard, all hands were on deck at about one o'clock; the mate having been below till twelve, the passenger had turned in, and, as he thought, was asleep; and about one o'clock, going down to light a fresh candle, saw him just going out the cabin windows: on which, calling to him, he went out, the mate springing forward at the same time to catch him but was too late. Immediately on this they put the vessel about, seeing the passenger at the same time swimming from the vessel: they heard him for some minutes--hollered to him, and were in hopes to have taken him in: but about twelve minutes after he was over, they heard a loud shriek, and saw and heard no more of him. They had seen two sharks following the vessel, and presume that one of them caught him.'