The New Hampshire Gazette

GUADALOUPE.

Proclamation of Hugues.

For compelling neutrals to rejoice when Frenchmen are merry.

The special agents of the directory of the French republic to the Windward Islands, on a report that has been made to them, that on the first Pluviose (Jan. 20) the day before the celebration of the anniversary of the punishment of the last king of the French (being Sunday) several American Captains met to deliberate, whether they should not appear to participate in the rejoicing, if they should hoist their colors as usual, and that the greater number reluctant to such discussions, withdrew

Further, on the report of the Major of the navy who having observed several American vessels without their colors on the 2d Pluviose, he addressed Capt. Nicholson of the ship Charles of Baltimore, Wm. Gordon, supercargo, they answered insolently, that they were not indebted to the French Republic, nor to our government, but to the king of France whom we had murdered; and that they were of the party of Messrs. John Adams and John Jay, who governed their country; adding a thousand other impertinences which they had uttered and approbated the day before at the meeting

Considering, that since the conquest of the colony from the English, the Americans have been put on the same footing with the French, and have fully enjoyed the same liberty of selling, purchasing and travelling, without being liable to any duties or searching whatever privileges which they owe to none but republican munificence

Considering, that the government, without wishing to oblige Americans to participate in their republican feasts, has on the contrary, every year given orders to the men of war and public functionaries to concur in the celebration of the epoch of their independence

Considering, that foreigners are bound by the police and laws of the country they frequent; and that the words and behaviour of Capts. Nicholson of the ship Charles of Baltimore, Wm. Gordon, supercargo, Low, of the schooner Deborah, of Boston: Eltin, of the schooner Goliath, of New York: Roberts, of the brig Hazard, of Boston: Oak, of the schooner Adventure, of Gloucester, are criminal, and done in contempt of the government of the port wherein they are received, and by whom they are protected while they stay

Considering, finally, that such an offence is not to be left unpunished, and desirous to prevent the penalty from falling on the owners, and to strike the offenders in the most sensible manner

Resolved, That captains (as before mentioned) shall personally pay, as a fine into the hands of the municipal administration of the Port of Liberty, a sum equal to the duties which their ships and cargoes were liable to under the reign of the last KING of France before the foundation of the republic; and that the funds proceeding from those fines shall be applied only to the relief of such Americans, as having been pressed by the English, come daily to our coasts in frail boats at the risk and peril of their lives, and also to individuals of the same nation, whom the barbarity and cupidity of captains have induced them to abandon ashore, being sick and without assistance, and thus left in the hospitals at the charge of the republic.

Resolved further, That the present arrette shall be printed in French and English, to the number of 6000 copies, at the expence of the said Captains, and that it shall be posted up, distributed in the department, and sent by every opportunity to the continent of America.

And, considering that the colony is declared in a state of siege, they enjoin on the general commander in chief and on the municipal administration, to cause the present to be executed and to give an account thereof.

Port of Liberty, the 8th of Pluviose, in the 6th year of the French Republic, one and indivisible.

(Signed)

Victor Hugues Lebas.

Andre, secretary general of agency.