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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A Guernsey privateer captured a French packet vessel bound for the West Indies with dispatches for Mons. la Mothe Picquet after a 10-hour chase in Mount's Bay. The crew threw the mail overboard, but it was recovered, revealing important letters, commissions, a diamond star, and a sword among valuables. The prize-master headed to London.
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"A French vessel was brought into Mount's bay on Saturday last, taken by a Guernsey privateer, after a chase of ten hours; she proves to be a packet, bound to the West Indies with dispatches for Mons. la Mothe Picquet. Just as the privateer was about to board her, the mail was thrown overboard, but not having sufficient weight it was saved by the activity of one of the sailors on board the privateer. In it were found several government letters of consequence, in French and Spanish, some written in characters, commissions of officers, a star of diamonds, and a very handsome sword for Mons. la Mothe Picquet, and several other valuable articles. The prize-master set off for London immediately."
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What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Mount's Bay
Event Date
Saturday Last (Letter Dated April 5)
Key Persons
Outcome
french packet captured; mail and valuables recovered, including government letters, commissions, diamond star, and sword; no casualties mentioned; prize-master sent to london.
Event Details
A French packet bound to the West Indies with dispatches for Mons. la Mothe Picquet was chased for ten hours and captured by a Guernsey privateer, then brought into Mount's Bay. As boarding approached, the mail was thrown overboard but saved due to insufficient weight and sailor activity. Contents included consequential government letters in French and Spanish (some in characters), officer commissions, a diamond star, a handsome sword for Mons. la Mothe Picquet, and other valuables.