The Newport Gazette

From the Cumberland Packet Extraordinary, of Thursday, May 22.

Yesterday arrived here under the command of Mr. Stuart, a large ship, formerly belonging to Boston, but being taken by an American privateer, was sold to Mercer and Schenk, merchants in Philadelphia, who, as will appear particularly by the following letter, sent her to Virginia, agreeable to Charter of the Continental Congress.

The Mercer, at that time commanded by Nathaniel Dowse, left Cape Henry the 14th of April last, having on board 490 hogsheads of tobacco, the property of the Continental Congress, 16 hogsheads belonging to the owners, a quantity of fustick, flour, and some other articles, with which Capt. Dowse was ordered to proceed to Bordeaux, in France. They were in all 18 persons on board, 16 of whom were English, Scotch or Irish, four of them belonging to Whitehaven, Workington, and one to Harrington, who had been prisoners in America.

Such a Superiority in number Soon disgusted the thought of taking the vessel from Capt. Dowse and his Mate; the scheme was concerted, and on the 27th of May inst. at 10 P. M. in latitude 46, 10. long. 25, 53. while the Captain was in bed they informed the Mate, who had the Watch, of their intention, seized the Captain's papers, altered the course from E. by S. to N. E. by N. declared Mr. Stuart their commander, Whitehaven the port of their destination, where they arrived, as before mentioned, amidst the joyful acclamations of numbers.

An express was immediately sent off to London: the Officers of the Customs have taken the vessel into their possession, and this morning the English flag was hoisted above the thirteen stripes of the Colonies.

Capt. Nicholas de Moulpied, of the Betty, of Guernsey, is come passenger in the above vessel; his Ship was taken by the Americans the 14th of August 1776, and carried into Dartmouth.

Capt. Dowse is 63 years of age, had four fine houses destroyed at Charlestown, near Boston, and had the remainder of his property, except Bunker's Hill, which belonged to him in this ship.

COPY.

To Mess. Samuel and J. H. Deane, merchants in Bourdeaux.

Philadelphia, March 14, 1777.

This will be delivered to you by Captain Nathaniel Dowse, commander of our ship Mercer. She brings you a load of tobacco for account of the Hon. Continental Congress, for which you are to receive 17 l. 10 s. sterling per ton of four hogsheads.

We have also ordered our friend Benjamin Harrison, jun. Esq; to ship in her ten hogsheads of tobacco, with some flour and lumber, which please to make the most of. Also sell the ship, if you can get for her what you think her value. We gave 1700 l. sterling for her, being well found, a new vessel, and neatly finished.

If you cannot sell her, employ her on freight, and in the best manner you can recover in the property.

Our instructions to Captain Dowse is to leave the ship in your care, and make the best of his way home, with all the crew on board: in which you will be pleased to assist him, as they are all on very high wages.

But in case France has declared war against Great-Britain, or if there is any certainty of such an event taken place then purchase for us a small fast sailing vessel, of about 30 tons, to carry four three pounders; six or eight swivels, and a few good small arms, and put in her the value of 600 l. sterling of the articles hereafter mentioned, and give the command either to Capt. Dowse of the Mercer; Capt. Mercer, of the Polly; Capt. Peter Callas, of the Moor; or Capt. Thomas Cartwright, of the Two Friends, which ever may arrive with you first. They all sailed for Virginia much at one time, from Boston to take in their cargoes.

What money after this remains in your hands for the freight, net proceeds do of the vessel. The fustick and other goods, on account, retain in your hands until further orders, except one seven h, which go to Mess. Pye, Richard, and Wilkinson, merchants in Amsterdam, for account of Archibald and John Blair, subject to the order of Archibald Blair.

Do not advance Capt. Dowse, or any of our Captains or crews, any money, but what is absolutely necessary for their support, as it is more advantageous to us, pay them in Boston.

We had like to have forgot to desire you to send the vessel and goods, ordered right to Boston or Portsmouth, which be our right to attend to. It will give us pleasure to hear from you, and to render you any service in our power. If you have msgs: w: h an opportunity to be eastward, direct your letters to the care of Mr. Thomas Russell merchant in Boston, Mr. John Duffield, in Virginia, or to any of your friends in trust here.

We are, Gentlemen,

your very humble servants,

MERCER and SCHENK.

Return of the cargo-to sell le. 300 l. in good bohea tea, but quality; 100 l. in pins; 100 l. in gold and silver lace for the military.

With as much fine white lint for cloth as will put her in a good set of sails.

P. S. While Capt. Dowse is discharging, get the small vessel and goods in readiness, as dispatch is the life of business: and as the other vessels arrive, purchase a similar vessel for each of the captains and crew, and put in each to the same amount, viz. 600 l. sterling in goods, or ten agreeable to the above.

MERCER and SCHENK.