Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Captives in Algiers.

The following is one of the many letters which have been received from individuals captured in the brig Edwin of Salem. It will excite the commiseration and sympathy of every reader, and we hope have its effect in prompting the government to provide for loosening the chains of these unfortunate captives.

Algiers, the place of my Captivity, September 1st, 1812.

My dear Wife—This dismal letter witnesses to my affliction. I give you a short narrative of my present misfortunes, and of my fellow-sufferers.

On the 26th of August, in lat. 38, 5, long. 4, 30, we were captured by an Algerine corvette, stripped of all our clothing except what we had on our backs, and we are now under the lash of a severe task master, and full of lice and misery, without distinction of persons, from the cook to the captain. To see captain Smith, unused to labor, with a heavy burthen on his back, as well as myself, doubles the misery of my captivity. Before day light we are roused up to work, to bend and unbend sails, & mend them; Mr. Laraby and the foremast hands to more hard work, to dig stones and dray them to the arsenal, and the like jobs.—At four o'clock we are freed from work and retire to this dismal cell, where we hear nothing but curses and the like.—For these two nights our lodgings has been comfortable, but Mr. Laraby and the people sleep on the rocks and in the mire as it were. To day the captain & myself went to the Swedish consul's house, and he has given us some money to buy a second shirt, & encouragement that the United States will not forget us. But as for me there is no need of any assistance, for death will very soon relieve me, but I pray for Jesus' sake that some means may be used for those who may survive: The Moors, after supplication, gave me my bible, and that is all I have, except what I have on, and that would be enough, with liberty. As for my ever seeing you again, it will be in that eternal world where sorrow I hope will be quite banished from my troubled mind. I die in the hope of the promises of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that he will present us unspotted before his Father. Farewell all my friends; farewell all my relations: farewell Salem; America, and last of all, farewell to you, my dear.

I remain your loving husband,
FRANCIS GARCIA

March 6.