Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

A Noble Instance of Generosity.

The Elizabeth, an English man of war, would infallibly have been lost in the shoals on the coast of Florida, in 1746, had not Captain Edwards ventured into the Havanna. It was in the time of war, and the port belonging to the enemy. "I come," said the Captain to the Governor, "to deliver my ship, my sailors, my soldiers, and myself into your hands: I only ask the lives of my men." "No," said the Spanish commander, "I will not be guilty of so dishonourable an action. Had we taken you in fight, or in open sea, or upon our coasts, your ship would have been ours, and you would be our prisoners. But, as you are driven in by stress of weather, and are come hither for fear of being cast away, I do, and ought, to forget that my nation is at war with yours. You are men—we are—we are in distress and have a right to our pity. You are at liberty to unload and refit your vessel; and, if you want it, you may trade in this port, to pay your charges; you may then go away, and you will have a pass to carry you safe beyond the Bermudas. If, after this, you are taken, you will be a lawful prize; but, at this moment, I see in Englishmen, only strangers, for whom humanity claims our assistance."