Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

NEWFIELD, Con. April 8.

Extract of a letter from a Master of a vessel at Aux Caves, to his Wife in this place, dated Feb. 10th, 1795.

"I am under the unfortunate situation to inform you that I was taken on the 3d of February, on my passage from St. Thomas's to Port-au-Prince, by a privateer under Spanish colours. At 2 P. M. on the 2d, he gave us chase, but did not bring us too until daylight on the 3d. Coming to the windward of us he hailed us in broken English, demanding what nation we were, I answered Americans. She instantly let go a broadside into us, together with a volley of musquetry, which fortunately did not injure any of us. The Captain while I was walking the quarter deck fired a musquet at me but did not hit me

I had not been out of my bed for 14 days, and had then a fever on me; but I was obliged to go on board the privateer, though the weather was very boisterous. After I got on board I was treated in a most savage manner. The Captain beat me on the head and shoulders with his cutlas, and said I was a "damned American thief, bound to Jacquemel with provisions for the Spaniards." He ordered me chained forward, kicked me into the hold—sent his boat on board my vessel and took out all the poultry, cheese &c. bringing on board the supercargo and two of my people. He then permitted me to go on board, with a prize master and four men, to carry us into Spanish St. Domingo. We left the privateer (the supercargo and people on board her) and stood in for St. Domingo, the privateer standing to the Southward until we had lost sight of her. The prize master said he could not fetch St. Domingo, and would therefore, go to St. Marks. Three days afterwards, to my great surprize, he brought us in here. He then told me he belonged to the republic of France. The privateer is out of Guadaloupe, commanded by JOSEPH CALASHER, a Genoese.— His crew are Spaniards, French, Portuguese and Negroes.

I was not permitted to go on shore, nor any American to speak to me; but the American Captains, finding how I was used, assembled and petitioned to the General for my liberty, which was granted.—I have liberty now to walk on shore. The people are still on board, where every thing is sealed up. When we shall have a trial God only knows, but I hope in a few days, and if we get cleared it will be at least a thousand pounds damage to us."