Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

MILAN DECREE ENFORCED.—We have received by the Arcturus, three of the first condemnations by the council of prizes at Paris, of American vessels and cargoes, taken under the Milan decree of the 17th Dec. The first on the 5th June, (the first sitting) is the brig George, of Newburyport, captain Bray, (late captain Hale) from Labrador, to Bilboa, with fish and some oil, papers endorsed by the British, and being far north, and in want of provisions and water, put into Falmouth for supply, where the British government, seeing the unjustness of the endorsement, granted a pass for the original destination, and from further detention by British ships. No duties were required or paid at Falmouth. A few miles from the entrance of Bilboa harbor, was taken by a French armed boat of Bayonne, and sent into St. Sebastians in Spain.

The second is the brig Vengeance, of Salem, captain Wm. Chipman, owned by William Gray, esq. condemned on the 15th June (the second sitting) bound with a cargo of tobacco from Norfolk (from whence she sailed the 4th Dec.) for Bilboa, was endorsed on the 20th same month by the Iris frigate, captain Tower. On the same night escaped and bore away for Bilboa. On the 6th Jan. came to anchor at San Antonio; lost an anchor and run for Bilboa, and was taken by the same boat off said port of Bilboa, on the 7th. and sent into Passage in Spain. The cargo was worth 180,000 dollars at the time of condemnation. Her cargo consisting of about 180 hhds. tobacco, would have brought one dollar per pound.

An official copy of the above condemnation has been received at this office, a translation of which will be given in our next.

The third is the ship Mars, of N. York, Charles Henry, master, condemned on the 15th June, bound from Savannah, from whence she sailed the 4th Jan. for London, laden with rice and cotton. On the 14th Feb. about lat. 49 18, N. long. 11, w. was captured by a French privateer of Rochelle and sent to Passage in Spain. Capt. H. had not his papers endorsed, nor did he see or speak with any English or other vessel.

Captains Henry and Chipman are passengers in the Arcturus.

All the foregoing are facts and may be relied on.

It appears that after the date of the Milan decree, and perhaps at the time of Mr. Champagny's letter to Mr. Armstrong, an order was given to the council of prizes, not to proceed on American cases; but soon after the arrival of the Osage, a counter order was given; and the three cited vessels were condemned with many others, at the first and second sittings, being every Thursday, weekly.

Most of the valuable vessels and cargoes were condemned on those days.

It was rumoured that a suspension took place in the council of prizes; but two gentlemen passengers per the Arcturus, saw a letter from Paris, the day before their sailing, to a French gentleman at St. Sebastians, saying that although it was supposed that the council would not condemn any more, yet since the 15th June, six more American vessels and cargoes had been condemned.

Among other remarkable cases, one is worthy to be noticed.—A Salem brig, the Hypsy and Jane, was endorsed off the Cordivan, on the 3d Dec. escaped the vigilance of the English, and run into Bayonne on the 5th, unloaded. and the capt went to Bordeaux to consult and sell his cargo. On the 25th same month, the government seized vessel and cargo, under the Milan Decree of the 17th December 12 days after the arrival of the vessel in port; and will no doubt condemn her—valued at 60,000 dollars.

Paris, June 20, 1808.

Captains Bray and Chipman, Gentlemen—It gives me much pain to inform you, in answer to your letters of the 6th instant, that on recurring to the proceedings of the Council of Prizes, I find your vessels and cargoes have both been condemned. The one on the 5th and the other on the 15th instant. The reasons assigned for condemning the George, are, "because having been stopped by a British cruizer, she was carried into Falmouth, from which place she sailed with a king's licence." For condemning the Vengeance, "because she has been visited by British cruizers."

It is the duty of the agent of prize causes, to give you all necessary information on this subject. Permit me therefore to refer you to him. I am, gentlemen, your obedient humble servant,

Signed, JOHN ARMSTRONG.