The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Boston, November 8.

FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Captain Elwell, who arrived on Sunday last, from Malaga, sailed from that place on the 28th of September. There was no doubt that the Moors had commenced war against the United States. The pretext was the capture of the Tripoline ship under Moorish colors. The brig Celia, capt Brown, which had been taken by a cruiser of 20 guns, & re taken by the Philadelphia, had been at Malaga, and sailed from thence, for Alexandria, in company with Captain Elwell. When in possession of the Barbarians, she was near escaping recapture; for when the Moorish vessel was boarded from the American frigate a formal pass was exhibited, which would have been treated with the usual respect had not some confusion in the answer, to an enquiry respecting the brig in company, created a suspicion, which induced capt. Bainbridge to cause her to be examined, and after that, the Americans were about retiring satisfied, when capt. Bowen sprung from one of the port holes into the boat, and claimed protection from his countrymen: While a prisoner capt. B. and his crew were treated very well and in return the officers and seamen of the corsair were well used on board the Philadelphia. Capt. Bowen represented the Emperor of Morocco's mariners as cowardly wretches, and believed that a very few guns would have rendered his vessel safe. It is said, besides, that they are fearful of carrying sail either in pursuing or retreating-

The ship taken from the Moors had sailed for the United States.

The Moorish admiral's frigate, of 32 guns, was out on a cruise. On the 30th of September in long. 8, Capt. Elwell, was boarded from the frigate Adams, from Gibraltar bound home, with three vessels under convoy. The officers informed, that the day previous they had learnt from a British ship that he had met a Moorish frigate with three American vessels as prizes.

Early in September, there was three or four small Moorish armed vessels at Gibraltar, with sealed orders.

When the hostile disposition of the emperor was ascertained. all the United States vessels at Gibraltar, put to sea for the protection of the trade, and orders were. dispatched up the Mediterranean for some of the government ships to come down. Two or three of the smaller cruisers had fortunately arrived from America: and the strength of our squadron at the Straits is sufficient to prevent any considerable apprehensions for the safety of merchant vessels.

Capt. Elwell was told by the consul at Malaga, that commodore Preble had gone over to Tangiers, to endeavor restore a good understanding with Morocco. It will be recollected that the consul general to the Barbary powers was a passenger in the Constitution, and both that gentleman and commodore Preble, have ample powers.

There were no reports of Tripoline vessels being at sea.

War between France and Spain was expected at Malaga.

The report that lord Nelson had bombarded Algiers was revived and credited.