The Virginia Gazette

The following account from Harwich by a letter dated the 28th past, relates as barbarous an action as perhaps has been known in the memory of man, and attended with such circumstances of cruelty, as would shudder the mind of a barbarian, or shock the ears of a cannibal or Hottentot.

Last week John Longden, master of a pink call'd the Two Brothers, was taken from on board his vessel off Harwich, by the proper officers, and put into gaol there, being charged with having, the latter end of January last, when he was master of a collier, run down and sunk a fishing vessel with ten hands on board, near the Two Sister Churches on the northern coast, all of whom, for fear of discovery and making reparation for the damages, he drown'd or murder'd; for after the fisherman's skipper and the sinking of his ship, several of the men made a shift to swim to the collier, in hopes to save themselves; but instead of meeting with any relief, as they were climbing up the sides, they had either their fingers chopp'd off, and so let fall into the water, or were knock'd down with handspikes thereinto; but the master of the fisherman particularly got on board the collier, but was no sooner upon deck than he was knock'd down, and afterwards ripp'd open with a large knife by the before-mentioned John Longden. -J.

After this tragical scene, he discharged one of his servants, who was a witness of his cruelty, giving him money to go ashore, advising him, for fear of discovery, to shift for himself, swearing him at the same time to secrecy: Accordingly, the boy enter'd on board another ship, and accidentally coming to the same spot, was struck with such remorse, fancying he saw the ghosts of the deceased, that he could not be easy without making a discovery of the fact, which he did, and was thereupon taken into custody by order of a magistrate at Hastings, from whence advice was sent of the affair to Mr. Moore, of Shad-Thames, the owner of the fish vessel, who took the first opportunity to go down to Harwich and enquire after the matter; and whilst he was there the boy discovered Longden making for the harbour; whereupon boats were order'd out to bring him ashore, upon sight of whom he was so conscious of his guilt, that he cry'd out, he knew their business, they were coming for him, and burst into a flood of tears, &c.

On Monday last a sailor belonging to the above John Longden, who was assisting in the said execrable tragedy, was apprehended, and being carried before Justice Shard, was, after a long examination, by him committed to the new gaol in Southwark.

A warrant is granted from the High Court of Admiralty, and proper officers are sent down to Harwich, to bring up the before-mention'd John Longden.