Gazette Of The United States

New-York, March 31, 1790.

On the 12th of February, at evening, a tremendous fire broke out at Point Petre, in Guadaloupe, and was not extinguished till midnight. There were twenty five capital buildings consumed, besides a number of smaller ones—the whole loss estimated at six millions of livres. We are happy to add, that a number of vessels belonging to the United States were lying in the harbor, the masters and crews of which exerted themselves in the most signal manner on this distressing occasion; and the assistance they lent was esteemed so important as to entitle them to receive the thanks of the public by a committee from the citizens of the town, as follows:

By a Committee of the Citizens of Point a Petre, to the Americans now amongst us:

Brave and generous Friends and Allies,

THE unfortunate persons who have suffered by the late merciless fire in this town, feel themselves under the most lasting obligations to you, for your so generously exposing your own lives in endeavouring to save their effects and property from ruin.

Such as have escaped the rage of this devouring element, are no less indebted to you for their lives—your presence of mind, strength and resolution in arresting its fatal progress, lay claim to a lasting remembrance from every inhabitant of this place.

This unfortunate accident was not necessary to prove, that all mankind are brethren; much less, to convince the French of your sincere attachment to them.

It is the wish of the committee that the address may, in the most public manner testify their grateful acknowledgments for your services on this melancholy occasion; and that a copy of the address may so far merit your approbation, as to be sent to the minister of France, that it may be forwarded and presented to the representatives of the United States of America—And may a people so illustrious and so generous as the Americans, enjoy all the prosperity and happiness of which they are so highly deserving.

Done and concluded by the committee at Point a Petre, this 18th of February, 1790.

(Signed)
Vian. J. Gadiot Lombard—Rebian.
Blondet.
Magagnos.
Delort. Buident Sec'rys.
Irousel. S

To the Honorable the President and Members of the Committee of the town of Point a Petre, Grand Terre, Guadaloupe, &c. &c.

GENTLEMEN.

We, the masters, commanders, and mariners of the ships and other vessels belonging to the United States of America, now riding at anchor in this port, do acknowledge the receipt of your affectionate and polite address, for which, from this singular testimony of your allied friendship, we beg leave to return you our most hearty and sincere thanks.

The many eminent and often repeated services, that we and our fellow-citizens of America received from your august nation, at a time when we were groaning under the tyranny and oppression of Britain, will ever leave a deep impression of gratitude and esteem upon our minds for the good people of France.

The encomiums you are pleased to bestow upon us are in the highest degree flattering; at the same time permit us to say, that we performed no more than a duty we owed to ourselves upon the principles of humanity, philanthropy, and good will to all mankind. We are sorry that the smallness of our number did not permit us to lend a more effectual aid in sooner terminating this destructive conflagration; but, if our efforts had only contributed to save a single individual from distress, we should consider those moments of dangerous exertion as the happiest of our whole lives.

Give us leave to add, gentlemen, that we shall ever have at heart the particular welfare, prosperity and happiness of the citizens of Point Petre, as well as of this respectable and flourishing colony in general. Long may you enjoy the happy fruits, and every advantage and benefit arising from an unrivalled commerce; a commerce which is at this moment the envy of your neighbours, as being under the protection and influence of that benign genius of liberty in whose cause your nation has so nobly and conspicuously distinguished itself. We shall conclude, gentlemen, with expressing our warmest wishes, that you may long be participators in the blessings of health, peace, and prosperity; the patrons of honor and justice in your community; and that our mutual friendship may never again be interrupted, by our vessels being excluded from the commerce of this port. With the most ardent wishes for the welfare of yourselves and your families—we remain gentlemen,

With every acknowledgment of respect, your most obedient and humble servants.

(Signed in behalf of the Captains, &c.)
JOHN STEPHENSON