The Kentucky Gazette

NEWPORT, August 2.

British Consul's letter to the Governor of Rhode Island.

SIR,

The following is a copy of a letter I received from Capt. Hoome, of his Britannic majesty's ship Africa, which I take the most early opportunity of forwarding to your excellency, having the honor to be, with due respect and esteem,

Your excellency's most obedient, and very humble servant,

THOMAS W. MOORE.

His excellency

ARTHUR FENNER, Esq.

commander in chief of the state of Rhode-Island.

Africa, off Rhode Island, 31st July, 1795.

SIR,

I did expect to have the pleasure of seeing you on board the Africa; but as that is not the case, I am obliged to send an officer to you, under the present circumstances, and to desire that you will lay my letter before the governor, or other chief magistrate of the island, which is to contain these several requests.

First, That there may be delivered up to me immediately, an officer who was taken on board a British sloop, while in Newport, and confined on board the French frigate now in Rhode Island; these violent proceedings being

contrary to the law of all nations in a neutral port.

In the 2d place, that you may receive the aid of the civil power in this Island, to send on board the Africa, all British or others, who have been captured in any vessels, and set at liberty in these states; not a feigned and pretended aid, but such as our nation has a right to expect from the United States.

And thirdly, that I may be permitted to buy such refreshments as my ship's company are in need of; and that in case I send my own boats on shore, my people and officers shall not be liable to insults from any of the inhabitants or others of whatever description--and to represent in plain terms to the governor, that if my officer who carries this letter, or any other officer or people whom I may send upon these just and lawful occasions, receive from any one individual, whether of the nature of a mob or otherwise, any affront or insult, I will immediately come in with his majesty's ship under my command, and protect my own people; and further, that if the government or states here, are in such cases as I have mentioned, guilty of such a breach of neutrality, I will then look upon myself in the same manner, as not bound to observe the neutrality, of these ports, and I am resolved to be treated in the same manner in all respects whatever, as they do those of the French Republic.

And I am more plain in the nature of my present demands, as I have received a hint that if I send my people on shore while the Medusa lies in Newport, that they will be considered as spies. In this case I want to say nothing, I am in full possession of every intelligence regarding that ship, which I want to be possessed of.

And I require a written answer from the Governor of Rhode-Island to these demands and that without loss of time. I am &c.

R. HOME.

Thomas Wm. Moore Esq. his Britannic majesty's vice consul at Rhode-island.