Gazette Of The United States

NEW PORT, November 11.

The following is communicated to us by Capt. CLARK, who arrived yesterday from Martinique :—

Events which happened in the town of St. Pierre, Martinique, since the 23d Sept. the day of the arrival of the brig South-Carolina, Capt. Clark, from Rhode-Island; the same day the embargo took place on all foreign vessels—this was done by the Council of the town of St. Pierre; the embargo was kept on until the 5th of this month : in the mean while, and still continues, dissensions even to a civil war, on both sides, and the town of St. Pierre threatened with ruin. The people are divided into two parties, the General Damas, the planters, the free mulattoes and negroes, and slaves all armed ; those parties are headed by an Assembly Colonial, chosen from the planters, the whole are called Aristocrats : the other party are the people of St. Pierre, and some in Fort Royal ; the commerce of St. Pierre forbids any provisions to pass the other side; the general and his army are encamped on a hill called Gros morne, where they are well fortified: the town of St. Pierre were obliged to send to Guadaloupe, St. Lucie, and Marigalante, for a supply of troops, which were granted : this town we hope is sufficiently guarded and fortified against the enemy, and we expect to remain in this manner of defence until the constitution comes out from the National Assembly of France.

In this critical situation we remain—not the least commerce is carried on on either side. The General and the Assembly Colonial have published a decree, by which all Americans and others are permitted to go into any port in the island with every kind of provisions, and to carry away any produce they please in return. The town of St. Pierre and Fort Royal, on their part, have armed some small vessels to cruise round the island, in order to prevent any such vessels going into any port but this. A battle was fought between the two parties on the 25th ult. The patriot party marched out of Fort Royal in number about 1200, the one half troops the other citizens, they were very badly provided for such an attack, having neither guides, nor in proper order, they marched towards Lamentine, in two columns, the one commanded by Col. de Chabrolle, and the other by Mr. Cocquil des Gomiere, the column commanded by the Dernier had four field pieces, this column met with every obstacle almost possible to mention, such as the roads cut, large trees laid across, and in passing through a swamp were attacked by a large body in ambuscade, not one to be seen : the battle did not last long, for the two commanders perceiving they were, or should be betrayed, ordered a retreat, which they did, but in much disorder, leaving their four field pieces, some ammunition, and a day's provision : the loss of the Aristocratic army is 247 coloured and 4 white men, all killed ; and on the Patriots side 25, and 28 taken prisoners ; since which each are on the defensive: the number of the Aristocratic army at the time of battle was 3000. There are many planters known to be patriots, these suffer greatly by frequent excursions of negroes and mulattoes, who are continually going about in the country plundering and committing horrid acts, and it is unfortunate for them that the Patriot army cannot give them any assistance, being obliged to keep in and about St. Pierre and Fort Royal, who are also in possession of Fort Bourbon and Fort Louis, the two Forts in that place, which take a great number of men to guard. At this time are come from Guadaloupe twenty-two deputies, in order to offer a mediation between the two parties, but little expectation of peace appears at this day, the 12th of October.