Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

He was returning from his cruise sooner than he intended, on account of the strong easterly wind, which was unfavourable to his getting prizes in; and also in hopes to find his First Lieutenant arrived from Holland with the men, when he intended putting to sea again without loss of time.

When we consider the influence and means the riches of this man gave him in fitting out his vessel, and getting her manned, with her force and superior sailing, added to his knowledge of our trade and coasts, we cannot but hail his capture as a most fortunate event to the commercial interests of this country, which must have suffered materially, during the winter, from his depredations.

It is a circumstance, also, in which we have much to rejoice, that he fell in with the Cruizer, which is, perhaps, the only vessel in those seas that could have come up with him.

It is worthy remark, that during the long and anxious chase, the masters of the English captured vessels, who, with 20 English seamen, were in the privateer's hold, in close confinement, expressing their fears that the English vessel in chase, would not come up with Blanckeman, as they had before run from every thing they saw with great ease, when one of them replied, "I have little hopes, indeed, unless it should fortunately be the Cruizer, for she sails like a devil."

We cannot convey to our readers, an adequate idea of the feelings of those our unfortunate countrymen-the horror of a French prison before their eyes! of being separated from all that was dear to them, with the alternate hopes and fears excited by what they heard going on upon deck, forms a most interesting picture of their anxious sufferings.

At one time they heard them cutting away their boat, and trimming ship, sawing down the gunnels, &c. to make her sail faster; this was considered a good symptom, but the next moment destroyed this hope, by hearing the people on deck say, "now we leave her."

When the topmasts broke, it was a joyful sound to these poor fellows; but this was succeeded by a report that crushed all their hopes; some one on deck called out, "she has passed us; now cut away our cable, clear the wreck, and all hands come up to make sail:" a few minutes after, however, they saw the Frenchmen begin to lash up their bags; this they knew to be a sure forerunner of their liberty, and immediately heard the Cruizer hail, and order him strike; they could contain their joy no longer, and a hearty and heartfelt huzza, burst forth spontaneously from all, as this crowned their hopes, and confirmed their liberty.

The chase continued near nine hours, in which both vessels ran more than ninety miles. The wind freshened considerably during the latter part of the chase, and the Cruizer lost most of her studding-sail booms, her main-top-gallant-mast, and fore-top-sail yards, and had at one time four feet water in her hold, from the quantity of water she had shipped.

Le Contre Amiral Magon, was built by Blanckeman's Brother, who is a shipwright at Dunkirk, about two months ago; and nothing can prove stronger the want of seasoned oak in France, than the declaration made by Blanckeman himself, that he was obliged to send 200 miles, to collect as much seasoned wood as would build this vessel, being determined she should not be built of fir or green wood, but of the best materials that could be procured in France. She is admirably well put together, well found in stores, provisions, &c.