Gazette Of The United States

PROVIDENCE, August 3.

Saturday last arrived at Newport the British Ship Catharine, William James Davis, master, mounting 4 Iron Guns, and some of Wood.

She was bound from Jamaica to New-York, with freight, and a number of passengers; but falling in with a British frigate off Sandy-Hook, and learning that the French Frigate Ambuscade was at New-York, Davis thought proper to bear away for Newport. The passengers inform, that some time previous to their speaking the British frigate, they fell in with an American vessel, bound from Cape-Francois to Baltimore, having on board 150 French passengers, and that from this vessel Davis took two bags of money, said to contain between 6 and 7000 dollars, supposing it to be French property. As he was not provided with a Commission, his conduct became a subject of conversation at Newport—and fearing he should be stopped, on Wednesday night he slipped his cables, and put to sea, leaving the passengers ashore one of whom had freight on board to a large amount

A writer in the Newport Mercury asks the following queries in relation to the foregoing nefarious transaction.

"Why was not a guard put on board the ship, if the Captain could not be arrested till the examination was finished? Or, why was his word deemed sufficient for his appearance? I address myself to the gentlemen of the law. Was he bailable in law, at the time he was suffered to appear at large? Why was the examination so lengthy, viz. from three to eight o'clock: Why, as the warrant was then made out, was it not served upon him, either in the town where he then was, or afterwards on board the ship? and lastly—Why was he not pursued, when it was evident a pursuit must have been successful? These are questions, it is proper should be answered. Whoever does it, clearly and satisfactorily, shall receive my sincere thanks. Speaking truth, he shall be supported; and judging with candor, he will be applauded. That there has been some misconduct, is evident; but a public explanation only can determine, upon whom the blame ought to rest.

PUBLICOLA.