The Virginia Gazette

Last week arrived at Ipswich, from Halifax, a schooner, laden chiefly with English goods, which left it the 23d of January; the Captain of which informs that there have been four American privateers carried into that port lately, taken by the Milford and Liverpool pirate frigates—that the noted Captain Burr, of the Milford, died at Halifax lately, and the command of his ship was given to the well known brutal Henry Mowatt, who cruelly plundered and burnt Casco Bay.

That Lieutenant Knight, a prisoner of the British navy, who was taken some time since, in the Diligence schooner, by Captain Jeremiah O'Brien, had, with his officers, together with a number of English Captains, who lately went in a cartel from Marblehead, fitted out a privateer brig at that place, mounting 18 guns, and carrying 85 men; she is now cruising on this coast and commanded by said Knight.

That Dawson has his brig cleaned and altered every cruise; she is now painted black, with an intention of deceiving our cruisers; he carries 70 men, and is cruising in the bay of Fundy, together with the Albany Philadelphia built ship, of 18 guns, commanded by Lieutenant—that the Milford and Liverpool frigates are careening in dock there, as are several other frigates and tenders, supposed to get in readiness to watch the motions of our navy.

That our countrymen, to the number of about 200, are confined on board the Bellona guard ship of 50 guns, where they are treated in the usual barbarous manner by the inhuman Commodore Arbuthnot—that Colonel Danks, whom Gorham sent prisoner in irons, died very suddenly at Windsor—that they are daily apprehending and committing to gaol, persons in that place, or entertaining sentiments favourable to the American States—that the few refugees, who fled from this city, and still continue at that place, are treated with the greatest contempt by the inhabitants in general there—that provisions in the province are very dear and scarce, and a number of families in a very wretched condition for want of necessaries of life.

That Dawson had a considerable number of his men killed in the engagement with Captain Sampson, and greatly shattered—that two frigates lay near Fort Cumberland—that they expect an attack that way very shortly—that a cartel, with a number of prisoners, was preparing to come to this port, no doubt, with an intention to gain what intelligence they can, in regard to the situation of our force in this state—that Captain Sampson and his men are treated severely, and were, when first taken, put in irons; they are now in close confinement on board the guard ships in Halifax harbour.