Jenks's Portland Gazette

By the Mail.

NEW YORK, MAY 10.

ST. DOMINGO.

Extract of a letter to the Editor from a gentleman who came passenger in the ship President, arrived at this port from Cape Francois, in 14 days:-

"About the tenth of April, Captain Rogers and Captain Davidson, of the ship St. Domingo Packet, were seized in a very harsh manner, and conducted to a common prison, where they were kept in separate cells (little better than dungeons) and fed on an allowance of bread and water; they were not even allowed a mattress to sleep on, and no person was permitted to converse with them-their ships were seized at the same time, and a guard of soldiers put on board. It was impossible to form a conjecture of the cause of this curious kind of treatment. Colonel Lear, a few days before his departure, waited on the general in chief, requesting to be informed of the reasons of their imprisonment, and of the seizure of their vessels, and received for answer, "That captain Rogers, although he received a special permission to sail for America, soon after the conflagration of the Cape, when all other American vessels were detained, did, on his arrival there, spread unfavorable reports respecting the French at the Cape, and such as were prejudicial to the-expedition!" "That captain Davidson was imprisoned because the name of his ship as well as public report, raised suspicions respecting her!" It is now supposed they have suspicions that the ship St. Domingo Packet, is the property of Toussaint: but the reasons urged for the seizure of Captain Rogers' vessel and cargo, and his imprisonment in a black hole, are singularly astonishing and frivolous. When the President left Cape Francois, these gentlemen were still in prison, but those humane Officers de Justice, had humanely permitted that they might have a mattress to sleep on, and other food than bread and water, if the Americans would furnish them-yet no American was allowed to speak to them.

"The ship Ann, Terry, of New-York, is condemned in the Cape, for having carried powder there. This vessel sailed from New York last winter, in ballast, having no other article on board but ten kegs of powder, and was in the Cape some time before the arrival of the fleet: at a time when there was no rebels to the French government in that Island:-- Yet 'tis asserted in her condemnation, which is published, "That it appears evident that the powder was brought there for the purpose of supplying the rebels "

"The President left about 70 sail of American vessels in the Cape; many of which were there a considerable time before the fire; these are detained generally, on the most frivolous pretexts; and some of them are distressed in the most cruel manner imaginable.

"Business is very dull at the Cape; scarce any one article will sell for its first cost;-and the embarrassments and delays Americans meet with from the government, and custom-house, are oppressive in the extreme.

"All dry goods &c. imported into the colony in future, except those of the manufacture of France, are subject to a duty of 20 per cent. instead of 10.

By the last accounts from St. Domingo, information was received that there were, in that port, about 40 sail of Americans under an embargo, which had existed a long time An embargo was also in operation at Aux Cayes."

Capt. Groom, who arrived at Baltimore on the 5th inst. in 24 days from the Cape, informs that the French had lately lost 400 men in engagements with the blacks.

Capt. Rogers, immured at Cape Francois, was first Lieutenant of the Constitution when she captured the Insurgent, and commanded the Maryland when she conveyed Mr. Dawson, to France. It is hoped our government will enquire into the motive of his confinement; and exhibit a determination to protect its citizens from injustice. It ought not to be usurped by any other government in this principle.