Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

MR. FENNO,

The following extract, on the authenticity of which you may rely, as well as on the truth of the matter contained in it, deserves notice; as it proves that if the British impress seamen from us, we are more than even with them by enticing a much greater number from them. It may teach us to moderate our anger for aggressions, which tho' not justified, are certainly in a very great measure, provoked, by the improper acts of our own citizens.

Extract of a letter from Antigua dated 21st October 1796.

Mr. — wrote by — and I hope has satisfied you that his sentiments coincide perfectly with yours on the subject of your correspondence. I know he has had a great deal of trouble, during this whole war, in rescuing Americans improperly detained by the officers of the navy, and a very troublesome part of his duty it must have been. Justice requires however that what can be said in palliation of the conduct of those rough sons of the ocean, towards the Americans, should not be omitted: The Americans have exerted wonderful industry in secreting and carrying away deserters from our Navy; you may judge of their diligence by what they have done, during the hurricane months in this small Island; one seventy four and five frigates, lying at English Harbour, have lost since the month of August above three hundred men by desertion; a very large reward has been granted by the legislature of the Island for apprehending these men, and after the most diligent search not above thirty of them can be found in the whole country: we have had no vessels of our own here to convoy them away, for our ships all sailed before the commencement of the Hurricane season: they have doubtless been carried off by the American vessels that are constantly coming and going, and all these seamen are a loss to Great Britain at least for the remainder of the war. I think some pains should be taken by the American Government to prevent British seamen from being smuggled in a manner so improper: or some arrangement should be made between the two countries, by which proper officers might be authorized on the part of Great Britain and the United States to go on board of American vessels immediately on their entry into British ports, and examining the number of their seamen; another examination to take place when they are quitting the port: this, if properly conducted, would not only effectually prevent them from carrying off British Seamen, but be the means of preserving their own from the violent hands of the Navy Officers.