Gazette Of The United States

Latest Intelligence, from the West Indies.
ST. PIERRE's, (Martinique) June 27.

Yesterday Colonel Drummond arrived here with the rest of the prisoners who made their escape from Point a Petre, from them we have obtained the following particulars:

For some weeks previous to their escape a plan had been concerted by a certain number to runaway with a large Canoe which some times came on board the prison ships for sick and with different people who might have business on board; five or six times the attempt was frustrated by the defection of some of the party.— But on the 15th instant, a Mr. Campbell came on board in the said Canoe, and while he was below speaking to General Graham. Captain Walker jumped in, and called out, LIBERTY, (which was a sign agreed upon some time before,) the rest of the party immediately followed, and as soon as possible got on the Oars, three of the Negroes belonging to the Canoe were thrown overboard, and two were kept. The guard on board were soon alarmed, and got under arms, but had no ammunition, several muskets were fired from the different ships, but did no harm, two of the ships boats, who occasionally fired upon them, and three canoes, were in chase as soon as possible, and two cannon were fired from one of the ships as they passed Hog Island, one Battery they were obliged to pass within 50 yards and the sentries called to them to come on shore, but liberty or death being their intention, they trusted all to their own superiority in rowing and the assistance of the Supreme being; from the Batteries not firing, it was supposed their situation was the same as with the Guard on board, which was the want of Ammunition; one of the canoes in chase fortunately got a ground which detained her some time, when clear of the island they got a sail set which was soon found advantageous, as then the pursuers began to fall astern; the chase was continued until dark, how long after it is uncertain, as both parties lost sight of each other, however the oars were continued with the utmost exertion, and at midnight they were under the batteries at the Saints, a little after they landed under Fort George, and were conducted up to the Garrison, where they received the kindest attention and civility from the Officers after their fortunate escape. The next morning they went on board the Ranilies, where British generosity was again repeated by Sir Richard Bickerton, and his Officers. Of them and the Garrison they speak with the highest gratitude.

They left Point a Petre on the 15th about half past five in the afternoon, where was about 7 or 800 British prisoners in as great distress as is possible for men to be, their day's allowance being 5 ounces of bad salt beef, 8 ounces of bread made mostly of rotten corn meal. There was about 50 British Officers and a number of Merchants belonging to the different Islands, without money, almost naked, the insults, and ill treatment they hourly receive is beyond the conception of an Englishman, or any that have the least impression of humanity.