Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

NORFOLK. March 30.

Yesterday arrived here from Cadiz, the bark Fame, capt. Stone, in 67 days, leaving that place on the 22d of Jan. he brings despatches from Mr. Armstrong to the Secretary of State, the latest we believe received from France. Captain Stone landed a messenger at Dover, with dispatches from Mr. Armstrong to Mr Pinckney, our minister at London. The John Adams frigate from Holland, was lying in the Downs, and would go again to France, before she returns again to this country.

Captain Stone brings no newspapers later than the last of December, but he informs that there is no truth in the intelligence received by way of London, that General Armstrong had adjusted our affairs with the French government; such a report was circulated about the beginning of January, but it was soon contradicted, by more severe measures against the American vessels, which, with their cargoes in the ports of Spain and Italy, have been sequestered.

The Fame was bound from this port to Tonningen, and was captured as was mentioned in our papers about six weeks ago. The vessel and cargo were American, and had not been boarded, nor otherwise liable to capture under the French decrees. On the arrival of the Fame at Calais, the crew were sent to prison, and the cargo taken out and deposited by the owners of the privateer, in their own stores. Captain S. went to Paris, to obtain redress, but, seeing no hope of obtaining it, or being brought to trial in any reasonable time, or if ever, he was induced to make the best terms he could, by giving up a part of the property to save the remainder, and which are the only means by which the citizens of this country can save any part of their property which falls into the hands of the French cruisers. The treatment of the American in France is shameful, and demands the interposition of our government. The crews are imprisoned on their arrival; by short allowance and close confinement, they are too frequently induced to enter on board of French privateers in order to get liberated. The commissary of prisoners received from twenty to thirty guineas from the captains of the privateers for each seaman discharged from prison. The consequence of this may be foreseen; the poor fellows are captured by British cruisers, when they are considered as prisoners of war, to escape from that situation they enter into the British service, and are thus lost to their friends and their country.

The ships Susan, Hatton, and Eliza Vickery, both of this port are still detained in France, waiting trial. Captain Ed.wards and Lovitt of Virginia, were still in close prison, without any hope of release.

We wish the government of this country would lay before the nation Mr. Armstrong's despatches respecting the treatment of our countrymen in France, which if he has done his duty he has not failed to communicate. It is hoped, if this is not done, that some independent member of congress will move for information from the executive upon a subject so highly interesting to the interests and honor of the country.

The schooner Resolution, captain Russell from Cadiz, bound to this port, went on shore on Cape Henry, on Tuesday night and is expected will be got off without damage. Captain R. left Cadiz the 26th of Jan. when it was reported that the French army of 100,000 men were within ten leagues of Seville. The junta had been dissolved and some of its members had arrived at Cadiz, where the principal inhabitants were preparing to leave the place, upon the advance of the French army. An army of 80,000 British, Spanish and Portuguese were following the French army into Andalusia.