The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13.

Sunday evening, about 10 o'clock Capt. Pickles and a few of his friends, being at Mr. Whiteside's, hearing the cries of some persons in distress, ran out unarmed, to their relief--but finding they were foreign sailors, chiefly Italians, Capt. Pickles spoke to them in a language they understood, and endeavored to pacify them. The alarming screams of the distressed now ceased, and there was no longer the appearance of quarrel amongst themselves--for they instantly turned and struck at him and his company, who returned into the house. The cry of murder was repeated, when Capt. Pickles seized his cutlass, and said to those who were with him, "Let us go out, call the watch, and take them up." They accordingly went out and followed them to Walnut street, calling the watchmen as they went along, only two of whom came to their immediate assistance. The bloody minded villains, seeing their advantage (for there were 12 or 15 of them in number, and only a cutlass, a cane, and a watchman's staff in possession of their pursuers) immediately turned and attacked with knives and bludgeons.--They were however, obliged to fly, leaving one of their party behind them--but unfortunately Capt. Pickles was mortally wounded, having received several stabs and shocking cuts with their knives, and with difficulty got back to Mr. Whiteside's house where he resided. In the interim the assassins received a reinforcement from the vessels to which they belonged, and returned to a further execution of their murderous intentions---but the citizens collected, secured three of them that night, and several others were taken up the next morning and committed to gaol, and it is hoped will soon experience that exemplary punishment which their savage enormities justly deserve.

Capt. Pickles sustained the wounds which he received with the greatest fortitude, exhibiting every magnanimous and noble characteristic of a hero, till about 10 o'clock on Tuesday evening, when he expired with the utmost calmness and resignation. Thus fell (in one of the highest acts of benevolence, that of administering relief to the distressed) by the hands of foreign ruffians, the gallant, the brave, the humane and experienced naval commander, William Pickles, Esq; who was an ornament to his profession, to humanity, and to his country.

His remains were interred on Wednesday, in St. Peter's church yard, with military honors, attended by a large number of citizens and friends, who deplored the loss of so valuable a member of society.

A watchman received a wound in his hand with a knife, the same night, from one of the above mentioned ruffians--and the subsequent evening, another watchman was attacked and wounded by some British sailors, who were also secured; and will doubtless receive the reward of their demerits.