Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Capture of the Franklin Tender.-We had hoped that we should have been enabled to have laid before our readers, an authentic account of this disaster, but in this we are disappointed, as a flag which went down the day before yesterday has not returned.

The facts which can be relied on are, that the Franklin, under the command of Sailing-Master Helmsley, was captured below Old Point Comfort on Sunday last, by a tender and fourteen barges of the enemy. From those who were witnesses of the circumstances, it is certain that every thing that could be done, was done by Mr. Helmsley, but the force against him was so overwhelming, that it was next to impossible to make a successful resistance. The Franklin had one long nine, and two six pound carronades, and a crew of 35 men.

Of the loss which has been sustained, we could speak only from conjecture, we shall therefore wait for the authentic details, which must be received in a day or two at most.
POSTSCRIPT.

We stop the press, to state that the flag from below has returned, and we understand that the report by her is, that no one was killed or wounded on board the Franklin. Five shots passed through one of the British barges-they state no one was killed or wounded on their side.

A Midshipman and three men have been exchanged for the like rank and number, taken in an Eastern Shore schooner. Having no person in our possession of Mr. Helmsley's rank, he is to be sent to Bermuda.