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Gazette Of The United States & Evening Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
Captain Thomas Webb, arriving in Salem from St. Eustatia, reports British policy under a November 6 proclamation seizing neutral vessels trading to or from French islands in the West Indies, severely impacting American commerce. Several American ships from Salem and nearby ports have been condemned or await trial at Montserrat. Skepticism noted as no such proclamation appears in the London Gazette.
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SALEM, Feb. 25.
From the West Indies.
We have very disagreeable accounts.—
Capt. Thos. Webb, arrived here last week from St. Eustatia, brings intelligence, that the British have adopted a policy towards the neutral powers, which affects the American commerce in a very serious manner; that in pursuance of a proclamation and instructions of the British court, bearing date the 6th of November, which Capt. Webb saw and read, the armed vessels of that nation take all neutrals trading to or from the French islands, and send them into port for adjudication.—
Many vessels have been sent into the English ports in consequence of this order, and numbers have been condemned at Montserrat; among which is the brig Two Brothers, Endicot, of this port, and schooner Peacock, Blaney, of Marblehead. The brig Hind, Putnam, of this port, and the schooner Rachel, Lee, of Cape-Ann, were there, among others, waiting a trial.
The Swedes and Danes share the same fate with the Americans.
We are informed that the British admit the Americans freely into those French ports, which they have taken possession of in Hispaniola, upon the same footing on which the British themselves trade there.
Their object is to reduce all the French islands this winter; and the preventing their receiving supplies from neutrals, they consider as one principal means of effecting it. Hence proceed the orders for their depredations on neutral commerce.
We do not wish to doubt the veracity of Capt. W. but we shall not neglect to inform the public, that no such proclamation as he says he has seen, has ever been published in the London Gazette, from the 1st of Nov. to the 7th Dec. & that all the proclamations of the British court are invariably published in that Gazette. We cannot at the same time forbear mentioning, that many merchants in Salem give no credit whatever to the intelligence; but on the contrary, inform that letters were received by Capt. W. containing intelligence of a direct contrary nature.
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
West Indies
Event Date
6th Of November
Key Persons
Outcome
many vessels sent into english ports and condemned at montserrat, including brig two brothers (endicot, salem), schooner peacock (blaney, marblehead); brig hind (putnam, salem) and schooner rachel (lee, cape-ann) awaiting trial. swedes and danes similarly affected.
Event Details
Capt. Thos. Webb arrived from St. Eustatia reporting British proclamation of 6th November instructing armed vessels to seize neutrals trading to/from French islands and send for adjudication, seriously affecting American commerce. British allow American trade into captured French ports in Hispaniola on equal footing. Aim to reduce French islands by preventing neutral supplies. Skepticism: no such proclamation in London Gazette; some merchants disbelieve, citing contrary letters.