The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

On Thursday last, the letter of marque ship Argo, mounting 18 carriage guns, and commanded by Capt. Trevett, was stranded near Old York harbour. She was from Nantz, with a cargo (of dry goods, tea, brandy, nails, glass, iron, salt, &c.) which, at the lowest computation, would have produced 20,000l. sterling. The Ship was running in for the harbour, under her topsails, with the wind at N. E. and full of snow; but unfortunately falling about her length to leeward, ran on a point of rocks, and was instantly bilged; the long boat being hoisted out, was immediately staved; and the laniards being cut, the mast went overboard; whilst the sea made a breach over the ship. In this situation were the crew and passengers, 74 in number, when the stern, being hove round by the sea, enabled some to swim to the shore, and by means of ropes to save the rest. Before this was effected, the wind abated, and a small schooner, supposed a privateer, from the eastern parts of this State, came out of York harbour, and plundered the goods that floated from the wreck; refusing, at the same time, assistance to the unfortunate crew, who earnestly implored it. Seven eighths of the articles that came on shore, were plundered by the people living in or near York, who came with teams and carried away the goods.

Notwithstanding the exertions of the crew, and a few humane persons in that town, to prevent embezzlement. Fourteen casks of nails and three boxes of glass were found on board an eastern coaster, who carried off 50 or 60 bars of iron, alleging he purchased them in Salem; but as there is now evidence that the whole was taken from the wreck, he is required immediately to return it to Mess. John Gerry and Martin Watson, Agents of the ship, or they will be obliged to expose him by ordering a process of prosecution.

Such criminal conduct is truly unbecoming savages, much more a people who profess to be civilized, and in some countries is punishable with death, without benefit of the clergy. It is hoped that every person of humanity, in this and the neighbouring State, will afford his assistance in detecting the pilferers, and obtaining justice; and that the inhabitants of the seaports, into which such goods may be brought, as have floated from the wreck, and been taken up at sea, will give notice thereof to the Agents aforesaid, who will allow to the informants 1s per cent. on the goods recovered from pilferers, and the same salvage on articles that may be honestly delivered up. Such inhabitants of Old York, or its vicinity, as have taken any of the said goods, are required to deliver them to the said Agents within ten days from the date hereof, or prosecutions will be ordered after that time.

Marblehead, Nov. 27, 1782.

We have the pleasure of informing the public, that the Master of the schooner is arrested at Boston for 1000l. damages.