The Enquirer

FRENCH SPOLIATIONS.

Charleston, December 18.

ARRIVED,

Ship Augusta, (of Portsmouth) Place, London, 49 days. Ballast. To the owner (Mr. Ladd) on board, sailed from Gravesend, November 1. and on the 7th of the same month, in the Chops of the Channel, was taken possession of by the French privateer, schooner Juno, commanded by capt. J. Predie, and belonging to St. Domigo, then 6 days out from Bordeaux—the privateer men plundered the Augusta of every thing they could take away with them, including the cabin furniture, clothing, hats, compass, spy glass, &c. in all amounting to about 400 dollars; the commander of the privateer was then proceeding to burn the ship. agreeably, as he informed capt. P. to a decree issued by Bonaparte, dated the 19th September, and which was to go into operation after the 1st October, and which he said, he dared not disobey. By this decree the commanders of French ships of war and privateers were ordered to burn every neutral vessel they might fall in with, bound to or from a British port—but, through the intercession of the owner, and in consideration, as the Frenchmen said, of his high regard for the American nation, and particularly as Mrs. Ladd was on board (whom he had robbed of all her wardrobe) he was induced to spare the ship. (but obliged Mr. Ladd to give him a receipt for the vessel) although he did it at the hazard of his life, so imperious were the decrees of his master. Capt. Predie informed Mr. Ladd, while he was on board the privateer, that he had resided in the United States. and that he was educated at Providence, Rhode Island. They had not made any other captures since they left Bordeaux.