The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

BALTIMORE, May 1.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman of Kentucky District, to his friend in Washington, April 4.

"AS to the Indians, they have been troublesome all winter. Since October last, sixty persons have been killed within the limits of this district, besides a number destroyed on the Ohio; among whom is our old acquaintance, Mr. JOHN May, late of Botetourt, whose exit deserves notice, because he was actuated by motives of humanity. The affair is thus related, by a captive that has lately made his escape from the Indians, who was a spectator, and an unwilling instrument in the tragedy:

"Mr. May, in descending the Great Kanawha and Ohio, about the 20th of March last, discovered on the western shore of the latter, near the mouth of Scioto, a white man, who, with a piteous voice, was calling for God's sake, to come, and take a poor prisoner on board, that was endeavouring to escape from the Savages. This had the intended effect. Mr. May ordered the boat towards the shore, and did not discover his mistake until the Indians rose up from their ambuscade, fired, shot him dead, and wounded some others of the passengers on board, who immediately endeavoured to make off; but being told in the English tongue, they should have good quarters, surrendered, without resistance. The Indians, however, on boarding the boat, massacred all, without distinction. Two days after, the same party attempted to decoy three large boats, that were coming down from Fort Pitt, ashore, at the same place where they had captured Mr. May's; but luckily, they were discovered in time, and our people sheered off. The enemy, being prepared, suddenly manned the boat, taken from Mr. May, with about thirty Warriors, and gave chase. The crews of two of the boats, fearing they might be overtaken, quitted them, and went on board the best sailer, where they threw overboard all the horses, and some heavy articles, and plied all their oars to effect their escape." The Indians also, exerted themselves in the pursuit, keeping on a steady course for about 20 miles, notwithstanding 24 well armed white men were on board the American boat, with one of our Colonels of Militia, and the sides of the boat high, and bullet-proof. Thus for want of a little resolution & skill, a favourable opportunity was lost to destroy a number of the vile enemies to the human race. The Indians, on their return, took possession of the two boats that were abandoned, and found in them 17 horses, about 5000 dollars' worth of merchandize, and considerable property belonging to the emigrants."