The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTLAND, Nov. 18.

Horrid Barbarity!

Mention was made in the last Gazette, of the capture of schooner Mary, Capt. Blake, of this port, and the inhuman murder of his Mate, Mr. Potter. Capt. Blake has since returned, and furnished the following particulars:

"Left this port on the first August and made Tobago on the 28th, but was becalmed and drifted to leeward. Endeavoring to make St. Croix, on the morning of the 5th of September, abreast of the forts in the Spanish island of Margaritta, two leagues from the beach, was boarded by two boats from a French privateer, the first boat that reached me was commanded by the Captain of the privateer, having six men armed with long knives, muskets, and a blunderbuss. The second boat contained the Lieut. and ten men, armed as before. After imperiously demanding where from and where bound they began damning the Americans, and immediately boarded me. The first on board was an Italian, with a long knife concealed under his garments, who was followed by the Captain with swords and pistols, and a Frenchman armed with a blunderbuss who formerly sailed out of New-York, together with three others. Soon after boarding and making some enquiry, the Capt. of the privateer pointed at me and the unfortunate Mr. Potter as master and mate; and uttering something, bade his followers "Begin immediately" -on which the Frenchman with the blunderbuss aimed it at me but fortunately it missed fire. At the same instant, another one stabbed Mr. Potter in the back of the neck, who in defence seized a handspike and knocked the murderer down; on which the Frenchman, having primed his blunderbuss, shot Mr. Potter through the head. After he fell, the inhuman Captain cut him across the thigh and leg with his sword, and the one knocked down recovering himself, grasped his knife and ripped out the bowels of Mr. Potter. They then drove myself and the rest of my people below, and carried my vessel into the harbour of Pampatar. We were kept confined below for three days, and then myself sent ashore to the Governor, being repeatedly threatened with death. My treatment on shore was most barbarous and insulting; and myself and crew in continual danger of our lives. The Governor and secretary also treated me very ill—abused the Americans, and refused me protection. I was then ordered on board, and some soldiers were also sent to prevent the vessel and cargo from being injured, which were to be sent to Guadaloupe. I remained in this situation till the 10th of September, when the brig Essex, Rolando, arrived, showing a tier of guns. I immediately apprised Capt. Rolando of my situation, who memorialled the Governor on the subject, and produced an immediate alteration in my treatment. On the 12th, with permission of the Governor, myself and people sailed in the Essex, for St. Thomas's, but falling to leeward, the first land we made, was the east end of Porto Rico, on the 19th; sent a boat ashore, to inquire for French cruisers, and was told there were no French, but several English cruisers on the coast. Making sail to the westward, for Cape Francois, at midnight on the 19th, a schooner came alongside, and fired a great number of shot without hailing, then boarded the brig, took the Captain and crew out, put them on board the privateer, and next morning took them into a lagoon on the south side of Porto Rico, and plundered the vessel of great part of her cargo, consisting of dry goods, &c. and in the evening dismissed her.

"The people who carried my vessel into Margaritta, were French; but those of the schr. I am confident, were English, from some of the Windward Islands, although they pretended to be from Porto Rico, under the command of Augustus Love."