Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

We have already published the American account of the retaking of the steam boat Phoenix. To the following extract from the Montreal Gazette of the 28th ultimo, a correspondent has appended a statement of the manner in which Brother Jonathan gulled old John Bull.

"On Sunday evening last the American steam boat Phœnix arrived at St. Johns, when the Comptroller of the Customs at that place, having received information that a considerable quantity of contraband goods were on board, ordered a strict search to be made. In progress of doing so a room not usually fastened, was found locked up;-the door having been forced open a quantity of silks and other contraband articles were found. The performance of his duty imposed upon the Comptroller, the necessity of seizing, not merely the goods, but the vessel in which they had been conveyed. He accordingly procured a file of men of the 60th Regiment, and leaving the vessel in charge of them, and of the crew, he, with the Captain, proceeded to this city.

The vessel being thus left, and the crew no longer perceiving any considerable obstacle to their again obtaining possession of her, most unadvisedly, and injudiciously, secured the guard and departed with her for the U. States.

It is no more than justice to state, that so far as our information on this unpleasant affair goes, no blame is attributable to captain Sherman.

It is earnestly to be wished that the Proprietors may see this unwarrantable act in its true light, and order the immediate return of the vessel and the soldiers, thus obviating much of the discussion which must otherwise inevitably follow."

The mode of securing the guard was, by inviting them into the cabin to drink- and when there, locking the doors. It is presumable that the guard left their arms on deck, as they could not possibly suspect the hostile intention of the steward and crew. St. Johns is about 30 miles within the line.