Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

"FRENCH URBANITY."

Capt. Tripp, from Grenada, arrived on Tuesday, informs, that on the 21st August, in lat. 26, 15, long. 66, 39. seeing a ship dismasted, with shears up to set a topmast, with English colours hoisted halfmast, he bore down for her, while another schooner to leeward hauled up for her;—She proved to be a French 84, having lost her rudder, mainmast and bow sprit, and having 700 men on board.—The Frenchman ordered Capt. T. to send his boat on board—which he did; and was surprised soon after to see it return full of men armed, who brought a two line on board, and made it fast to his main mast. Capt. T. told them it would tear his vessel to pieces; but he was not heeded. The other vessel which was commanded by Capt. Grazier, of Boston, then came up having two officers and five French men on board,

They stood W.S.W. & came very nigh getting a towl the Man of War, and would, had not Capt. T. cut the hawser. Capt. T's. sails were torn in pieces, and the Frenchmen consisting of a Lt. a Midshipman and six men, took command of the vessel; and mistrusting he intended making a push, hove about for the ship. The captains of the schooners went on board the ship to find out where they intended going; but could obtain no intelligence; only they wanted to keep the ship's head to the W. They had about sixty fathoms cable tuck out of the ward. room, astern, but nobody tended it. to steer the ship; they had got up a main and fore spar masts, but two thirds of the men were lying between decks.—One of the crew, who could speak English told capt. T they were going to make sail, and take him in tow, hand his sails and steer by him; and that if they could not do any thing with the ship, they were coming all on board the two vessels, which could not hold them with swept holds. Capt. T. then returned to his vessel, amused the Lieutenant, and made preparations for retaking his vessel, and pursuing his voyage.—Four of the Frenchmen were put down the hold, and Capt. T. taking command of the quarter deck drove the officer below In the contest Capt. T's mate was pulled nearly half way down the hold by the Frenchmen; but his men hauled him back, fastened the hatches down, hoisted out the long boat, drove them into it singly, let them go for the ship, and then made sail to get out of gunshot.

The above ship was Adm. Williamson's flag Ship, Le Foudroyant.