Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

By this day's Mail.
NEW-YORK, December 16.
[Handed for publication by Capt. M' Dougall.
-DEMARARA, OCT. 13 1797
TO CAPT. MAINWARING,
Of his Majesty's ship Babet.
SIR,
We, the under signed masters of American vessels, with much pain, find ourselves under the disagreeable necessity of complaining of the usage we have received, and continue to receive from Lieutenant Mackie, commanding his Majesty's sloop George.—
Immediately after his arrival in this river, he began to impress our seamen, some of whom he treated extremely ill, and what has been probably the most unpardonable part of his conduct, he has sanctioned his men under his own eye, to plunder our vessels and people; of which, proof sufficient can be given. -From the schooner Betsey, of Baltimore, two thirds of a barrel of beef was emptied into his boat and carried away; besides several other articles from other vessels, hams, onions, silver shoe buckles, razors, looking glasses, &c. have been taken.
Firmly relying on your goodness, as commanding officer, we have taken the liberty thus to state candidly to you, what we consider a grievance-and doubt not, but you will enjoin such orders as may appear proper in this case. In the mean time, we consider ourselves solely under your protection; and several of us mean still further to claim it on the sailing of the fleet, which we fondly hope, will not be denied us.
We are, Sir, yours,
John M' Dougall, William Patterson, John Compton, J. Smith, A. Cross.
This memorial was presented by John M'Dougal, and William Patterson, on board of the Babet; when orders was given to hoist the signal for the officers of the sloop George, which was immediately complied with; when the officers belonging to the said sloop George, came upon deck, the captain politely asked them and us below; and after having them severely reprimanded he ordered them on board, telling them to let lieut. Mackie know, from him, if he heard any more complaints of this, that he would put him under arrest, and send him to the admiral in Martinique-and if you have any Americans now on board, I desire you to deliver them up immediately.
Then addressing himself to us-Gentlemen I am sorry to hear of any such complaints-the latter part of your memorial shall be granted with pleasure; and as many of you as will be able to get ready to sail with the fleet, will receive your instructions outside of the bar.
To which we returned our hearty thanks to capt. Mainwaring