Alexandria Daily Advertiser

FRENCH INJUSTICE.
PRISON SHIP, Point Petre,
February 29, 1808.
Dear Friend,

I take the liberty to embrace this opportunity to inform you of my present situation, confined on board this ship as a prisoner.—On the 10th of August last I sailed from this port in the ship Julia Ann, bound to New York, with a number of French passengers, about ten miles distance, a small boat came along side with two men, one of which came on board. My mate demanded his business, he answered he wished a passage to New York. At this present time my ship was under the cover of an English brig's guns; myself in the cabin putting my papers in order to be examined by said brig. My mate came down in the cabin, and informed me there was a man on board who demanded a passage.— On seeing the man I found it to be the same who had applied to me before, and whom I denied his passage on account of his not having a passport. I ordered him to go into his boat. My people answered, that the man on board had ordered the man in the boat to put off. This was done, knowing there was no way to get rid of him. The next I saw was a boat coming from the brig. They took some of my men out, and put an officer on board, and ordered me for Antigua, accompanied by a schooner of ten guns. On my arrival at Antigua, I noted a protest, which is in the hands of Mr. Daniel Beach, merchant, of New York. My ship and cargo were acquitted; all my men passengers were taken out excepting one, which was a Mr. Dennis, by an order from admiral Cochrane. Three of the passengers are here present, and those men have sworn before the court that I made an abandonment of them to the English. On account of these false depositions, my ship and cargo are seized, and I am condemned to pay ten thousand dollars. Not being in my power to pay so large a sum, I must depend on my friends to regain my liberty; which is sweet to me, as I have a wife and two children. I am an American, born in Boston.— I wish you to do me the favor to make my horrid situation known to the New-England society, that they may petition to the secretary of state, that government may demand me, my mate and people. Mr. Daniel Beach and E. M. Stillwell, are my owners in New York. My owners will give security to government for the appeal in France, and my government will give security here. On these conditions, myself, ship and people will be given up. My hopes are fixed on your friendship towards your countrymen, & your compliance with my request shall never be forgotten by your humble servant,

JOHN CLOUGH.

(New-York paper.)