Independent Journal, Or, The General Advertiser

New-York, August 8.

On the 29th ult. arrived at Newbury-Port, the Schooner, Captain Elliot, from Machias, having on board twenty men and fourteen women, in the most wretched and distressed circumstances. They brought with them letters from the Select Men of Machias, and also an affidavit containing a particular account of their sufferings and of their destination. They are now under the care of the overseers of the poor of Newbury-port, who are making such provision for their necessities as hospitality to strangers, and humanity to our fellow creatures require, until such time as they can find employment.

For the information of the Public is inserted the following Deposition:—

The Deposition of Arthur Hill Gilmore, and Several others, who came passengers from Ireland, on board the Brig or Snow Nancy, Captain Reily, SAYETH,

THAT on the 15th of March last past, upwards of one hundred persons of both sexes, shipped themselves on board said vessel at Dublin, some as passengers, and some Redemptioners, being bound to the town of Baltimore in America. That during their passage, their vessel ran foul of a sloop, on the banks of Newfoundland, carried away her bowsprits, sprung her fore-mast, and was otherwise materially damaged—then in the night when this accident happened, it was the passengers could distinctly hear the cries, but the sloop's crew, and often hear the cries of the sloop's crew, and often hear the cries of heaven for assistance, and that they implored God might be merciful to them—from which circumstances, and from the inhumanity of Capt. Reily, who would grant no assistance, Deponents now verily believe, the sloop foundered. That immediately after this catastrophe, deponents and the passengers and redemptioners, were put on such short allowance of provisions that they were compelled by famine to part with their clothing and other necessaries, to the crew of said vessel, for provisions to keep them from starving. That after several weeks severe sufferings on their passage, the vessel made Portland, on her way harbour, and there received some repairs, and put to sea—and after hovering many days up the American coast, put into the harbour of Little-River, about twenty miles from Machias—at that place, upon the 14th of July inst. landed the major part of the passengers, &c. amounting to nearly about eighty persons of both sexes, the Captain telling them his provisions were exhausted, and that he could not carry them to Baltimore, but that the country adjacent was rich and populous, and that the town of Boston was no more than one day's travel from the place of landing. That said Captain unjustly detained watches, wearing apparel, and many articles of value, from those he landed. That during the passage six men died, and deponents believe their deaths were occasioned by the severe punishments and bad usage they received from said Captain, viz. That Thomas M'Donnel was brought upon deck and received such punishment that he died said night, as Deponents believe, they never seeing him afterwards.— That Patrick M'Mullen was punished four different times with such severity that he languished a few days and died. That Timothy Murphy received such barbarous punishment that his side was laid open, and mortified, and during the short period he lived, his excrement was clotted blood and corrupted matter—in this condition he languished a few days, and died. That three others being seized with fevers, were totally neglected, and perished through want of care, or proper nourishment—That some of the deponents have been most severely punished, and bear the marks of cuts received on board the aforesaid vessel. And further Deponents say not.

Arthur H. Gillmore, Christopher Cabery.
Hugh Dowdall, Edward Hufe.
Matthew Brien, Peter Murphey.
Lincoln, s. July 14, 1787. Sworn before us, JAMES AVERY, STEPHEN JONES, Jut. Pacis.