Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The following is extracted from a particular account of the treatment of Captain Ervin and his people, during their captivity at Morocco.

"Captain Ervin being ordered before the emperor of Morocco, among other things was asked what religion he professed, and whether the Americans worshipped the sun, moon and stars? On his informing him the Americans worshipped one God who ruled in Heaven, he replied, then I am at peace with your nation; but ordered him and his people to Moggadore, where they were put under the care of a Jew, who supplied the captain with money weekly, taking an account of the same, to furnish him and his people with provisions. Some time afterwards the emperor arrived at Moggadore, where the captain and crew were ordered before him, when he informed them that he did not consider them as slaves, and that they were at liberty to go about the country without molestation, but they must not attempt an escape from his dominions, until some person appeared to release them; and that he considered the Americans as free a people as Englishmen, and ought to pay him the same respect as other christian nations did. After some stay at Moggadore, they were all ordered again before the emperor at Morocco, who told them they were delivered up to the Spanish Ambassador; and that they were to be sent to Cadiz, where they were to be delivered to Mr. Harrison, the American consul. He then asked them if they had been well used, and if they had had a sufficient supply of provisions during their stay in his dominions, to which they replied in the affirmative. He then said he should send orders to his Bashaw to restore them every thing which belonged to them. From Morocco they were ordered to Tangiers where they embarked on board a Spanish ship for Cadiz."