The New Hampshire Gazette

NEWBURY-PORT, Feb. 10.

Extract of a letter from capt. Tobias Ham, of the ship Commerce, of this town, to his owners, dated Cape Nichola Mole Jan.1.

SIR,

I am very sorry to inform you of our sad misfortune: on the 29th of last month, in lat. 21, 30, N. long. 71, W. we were captured by a French privateer, name unknown, at even in the evening. After hailing, fired two broad sides and forty muskets, which wounded your son, Mr. Watson, Backster and Joseph, but no ways dangerous. Mr. Frothingham and myself were kept on board the privateer until the morning, meanwhile they plundered us of Beef, Pork, Bread, Potatoes, spare Rigging, Canvas, Blocks, &c. She mounted 12 sixes; we found two six pound shot on deck, and took 19 musket balls out of the mizen mast, several holes through the mizen and one through the crojack yard, taffrel rail shot away~-it is impossible to tell the whole damage until the ship is discharged: they took your son, Mr. Watson, Jacobs, Hendrick and Levy on board the privateer, and sent on board a prize master and sailors to take the ship into Cape. Francois; on the 29th we had the good fortune to see Admiral Duckworth's squadron, which frighted them so they took my yawl and left the ship, and told me to keep close to the wind, expecting the ships would not fetch the Cape, which they did not, but as soon as the boat left me I up helm, set the light sails, although almost under the guns of the fort. I bore down to the fleet, who brought me in here.

I have noted a protest, but shall not have it extended until we arrive at Jamaica, where I expect to go with the first convoy. I don't think they can recover salvage for bringing me in, as the ship was not in the hands of the French, although every one tells me they can, but I shall get advice from your correspondent at Jamaica before I pay it.

Yours, &c. TOBIAS HAM.

N. B. They threatened to stab the mate who tried to stop them from robbing the vessel. and told the sailors that they would kill me if I told the Commandant about their firing upon the ship, or if I steered a wrong course.