The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a letter from Philadelphia, dated July 6.

"On Saturday last the brig Nancy, capt. Montgomery, of Wilmington, loaded on Congress account, with 400 barrels of powder, 50 or 60 small arms, dry goods, 101 hogsheads of rum, and 62 hogsheads of sugar, was drove on shore by the Kingfisher, at Cape May. The brig had six three-pounders mounted, with which, at one time, they beat off the boats, and one of their tenders; after which, being assisted by captains Barry and Weeks, they got out of her in a fog 62 firelocks, 260 barrels of powder, and some dry goods; but the fog clearing away, the ships came within shot, and sent five barges full of men, when the brig's people, finding they could not hold her, started about 140 casks of powder in the cabin, and 50 lb. in the main sail, in which they wrapped some fire, with an intent to communicate to the powder, and then quitted her. One or two of the men of war's boats soon boarded her, one was close under her stern, and others very near her. Those on board had given three cheers, and fired their arms at our people, when the fire took effect on the powder, and sent 30 or 40 of them, as is supposed, into the air, some of them 30 or 40 yards high, who soon returned to the water, unable to tell who hurt them. They have taken up 11 bodies, two laced hats, a leg with a white patterdash, both supposed to belong to officers. The water was covered with heads, legs, arms, entrails, &c. and one of the boats was towed off much shattered, with only six men. Thus did they huzza for a Scotch prize. Some of our people had got one or two small cannon on shore, with which they fired at the boats boarding the brig; the men of war returned the fire, and killed the brother of capt. Weeks, who was 3d lieutenant of the Reprisal, and wounded a boy in the thigh."