The New Hampshire Gazette

PROVIDENCE, December 14.

Last Saturday the Brig Britannia, Captain Dudley Seltonstall, arrived at New London in 40 Days from Curacoa; in whom came Passenger Mr. John Snow of this Town, late Mate of the Brigantine Industry, Captain Philemon Williams, who had been gone near twelve Months without ever being heard of. Mr. Snow gives us the following Account of the Loss of said Vessel on their Voyage from Barbadoes to Saltertuda, and the many Difficulties and Hardships they afterwards underwent, viz. On the 3d of April last, they sailed from Barbadoes in a Fleet for Saltertuda, and were to touch at Martinico, but their Vessel being an extreme heavy Sailor, they soon lost Sight of the Fleet; and after many fruitless Efforts to get into Martinico, they bore away for Saltertuda; but were by strong Currents and adverse Winds, driven so far to Leeward, that on the 17th of April, about 4 o'Clock in the Morning, they unfortunately run ashore on the Spanish Main, at a Place called Cora, where they were soon after boarded by 150 Savages from the Shore, who plundered them of every Thing that could be of any Service to them, and turned them ashore (even in Number) without any Kind of Provision to subsist on, with Directions to go to Maracoy, a Spanish Settlement about 200 Miles from thence. They accordingly set out on their Journey, through a Country they were unacquainted with, and after travelling three Days in the greatest Distress for Want of Sustenance, and continually exposed to wild Beasts of Prey, and the more savage Natives, they were luckily overtaken by seven Spaniards, who supplied them with Refreshments, and conducted them to the Spanish Town. As soon as they arrived, they were immediately imprisoned, without Distinction, in a loathsome Gaol, where they all continued for five Months, except one, who embraced the Roman Catholic Religion, after a Month's Confinement, and was set at Liberty, and treated with great Kindness. At length the Spanish Governor ordered the six that kept fast to their Faith, on board of a Dutch Sloop that was trading there, in which they got to Curacoa, Captain Williams died on the 8th Ult. on his Passage Home, after a few Days Illness.