Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

BY THE LAST MAIL.

NEW-YORK, March 11.

Capture of Martinique.

To the politeness of a merchant of this city we are indebted for a file of St. Croix papers containing the following particulars of the capture of Martinique.

From the St. Thomas Gazette, Feb. 4.

We have been politely obliged with the following extract of a letter from Martinique together with the proclamation issued by the commander in chief:

Cassa Navire Bay, Martinique, 5th of Feb. 1809.

"Our operations go on swimmingly. The Fortress of Pigeon Island surrendered yesterday morning at sunrise, after sustaining a very heavy bombardment; five of the enemy were killed and 11 wounded; 4 officers and 126 men taken prisoners, and our shipping are all this morning come into this anchorage, to land the mortars and artillery for the operation on fort Dessaix. The enemy's force in the two last actions were one half militia, who have suffered severely. Altho' we have not correctly ascertained it, they allow that they have in hospital 340 regulars wounded, and upwards of 100 militia. They have only 1500 men in the fort. and as we have possession of the whole of the redoubts but one; they cannot stand our fire long: General Beckwith and his army are on the heights of Mount Surrieru General Maitland we expect here this evening. St Pierre's will not be summoned until Dessaix surrenders. Villaret has ordered all the militia to their homes, in consequence of the following

PROCLAMATION.

By their excellencies lieutenant gen. George Beckwith, and rear ad. the hon. Alexander Cochrane, knight of the order of the Bath, commanders of the land and sea forces of his Britannic majesty, in the Windward Islands, &c. &c.

Colonists and Inhabitants of Martinique!

His majesty yielding to imperious circumstances, returned you to the power which governed France. His majesty, deceived in the hope, that the happiness which his government had created among you would have been cultivated by your new masters, groaned at the unfortunate situation in which the events of war, or rather, the want of respect due to sovereignty, have reduced your colony.

At the term of your misfortunes is arrived—famine will disappear—the sources of your prosperity will be renewed—your ancient laws shall be restored to you, and the government protector of person and property, which ruled you under the British flag shall be re-established in the colony.

It is with these intentions that his majesty has confided to us the command of a formidable land and sea armament, to retake Martinique, and to create again in the suffering colony—abundance and tranquility—the inseparable companions of a just and protecting government.

In consequence of these benevolent dispositions we invite you in the name of humanity, to submit yourselves immediately to the forces of his majesty who will not fail to punish the temerity of useless resistance.

We order all civil and military commissioners to immediately divest themselves of their functions."

To every inhabitant of whatsoever class or condition he may be, to retire peaceably to his dwelling, and there to maintain order.

We declare that every colonist or inhabitant who shall be taken in arms, shall be treated as a prisoner of war.

That every free colored man shall be transported, and that every slave taken in like manner, shall be subject to be tried by a military tribunal.

Ministers of Divine worship!—Your religion will be protected, and the properties and rights of the church will be respected.

Given at head-quarters, this 30th day of Jan. 1809.

GEORGE BECKWITH.
ALEX. COCHRANE.
By order of their excellencies,
WM. H. WILBY, Secy.
JOHN S. TRACEY, Secy.