Virginia Argus

New-York, June 24.

The brig Tamahmaah, capt. Skiddy, sailed from this port on Friday last for Bordeaux, with about 40 passengers, and no cargo. At 6 P. M. she passed the light house, and at eight she was captured by the British frigate Melampus, about 10 or 11 miles from Sandy Hook Light House, in 9 fathoms water.

The passengers, with their baggage, were permitted to return to this port, and came up on Saturday evening in the pilot boat Thorne.

The capt. of the Melampus took capt. Skiddy, and all his crew except the chief mate, out of the brig, and sent a prize master and crew on board, and ordered the brig to Halifax for adjudication. [We received the above account from the passengers.]

The following is an extract of capt. Skiddy's letter, dated on board the Melampus, off Sandy Hook, June 22, 1811.

"I am sorry to inform you, that I was chased and boarded last evening, after 7 o'clock, by the British frigate Melampus, capt. Hawker, who is going to send me to Halifax—They have taken all hands out of the brig, myself included, except the mate. Capt. Hawker says he regrets that his orders oblige him to send in all vessels bound to France.

It was very hazy when I fell in with the frigate, and several sail in sight—I did not distinguish what she was until it was too late—I however tacked and stood in; she fired several shot, and neared us, as she held the breeze more in the offing; and the last shot went over us. I thought it imprudent to risk the lives of the passengers in persisting, particularly as we were losing the breeze, and the frigate kept it longer. We were taken within 5 miles of the Hook."