The United States oracle of the day — Portsmouth, N.H., 1801-05-02 00:00:00, page 2

States of America, has published an order of his ।
Britannic Majesty, in Privy-Council, directing [
- that all Swedish and Danish vessels chartered
for the purpose of carrying from the U. States ;
to Great-Britain, corn, flour or rice, shall be
farnifhed with passports which shall protest |
them from detention by Britifli cruizers,
Every fedcralift has uniformly condemned I
the piracies of the New-Providence privateers, }
and the infamous conduct of the Vice-Admiral-!
ty Courts of Jamaica, St. Kitts, and the Baha-I
mas. On this fubje& too, the Federal Govern- I
intent has long since directed its jMinifler at the |
• Court of St. James's to remonstrate. Yet the;
democrats still bring # those proceedings toco y
view as charges againfl'the Federal Adminittta- j
tion; and firing up a half dozen times over the'
lifts of capturesand condemnation in joyful ex-I
miration. But we have the fatisfadlion to fedj
assured, that their joy will be of short duration, j
' and that the juflice of the Britiih European
government, in annihilating the weft-lpdia Ad
miralties, will deprive them of one source of
abuse. — — ——_
but is he result of natural justice de
duced from reason, and is to be deter
mined by that Pandard.—A Gate of
war between ^ny two or more nations,
give the belligerent powers certain
rights, and impose upon neutral nations
certain duties and rettriaionfr If they
would maintain their neutrality, they
must be impartial, and not grant favors
to one party, which they refufe to ano
ther. They must not furnifh either tyrty
with such War-like articles as will ena
ble them to carry on the war.—Hence
ire all eyes, and in all countries, certain
articles have been prohibited to be car
ried by neutrals to belligerent nations,
fad they are denominated contraband of
•war. But how is this duty of neutrals
to be enforced? In what manner are
they to be refrained from carrying
contraband articles ? If the flag only,
Or a convoy were absolute protections,
this principle would become nugatory ;
'and neutral nations would be enabled
to prosecute fuccefsfully a perfidious
conimerce.
WASHINGTON, APRIL 18.
The newspapers have informed, that some of
our armed vessels have been ordered' to ren
dezvous in Hampton Roads, to fail on a secret
expedition. Having taken pains to inquire in
to the truth of this rumour, we find it to be
premature.
Hence arose the right to search and
examine, if any contraband articles ?.re
really concealed or. board neutral vessels..
It is founded in reafon-%lt has been
coeval with commerce. Set aside this
principle, and the jealousy of powerful
nations at war would induce them to
capture in a thousand cases where now
they only examine.
✓fgain. —With refpeft to enemy's pro
perty in neutral bottoms.—A Rate of
warfare authorizes the two parties to do
everyinjuryto each other confident with
certain acknowledged laws of humani
ty. Hence has refulted'in all ages, and
in every page qf hiflory, the practice
of taking and holding the property of
an enemy.
Shall neutrals interfere with this
right ? If they can do it, and prAted
the property, there is an end of the right
of capture wholly. For the weaker na
tion will not trouble itfelf to maintain
fleets to defend its commerce—it will
carr, it on without any interruption
under the flag of neutrals.—But this is
not just or reasonable.—lt is interfering
in favour of the weaker party, and en
ables them to carry on the war.
Such are the dilates of national rea
son, abftra&ed from authority, and in
variable ufzge.
I shall how proceed to prove, by
writers of the firft eminence, that these
principles hive ever been deemed fac
ted. The firft writer I shall quote is
Mons. De Mattel, an eminent French
civilian and an honor to their nation,
whose principles though received for a
great number of years by all the world,
they are now endeavouring to over
throw. In book 3d, Chapt. vth, fed.
74th, he fays; “ And it is here also as
with perfects — things belonging to an
enefiy continue such Wherever they are."
“ Since it is not the place where a thing
is, which determines the nature of that
thing, but the quality of the person to
whom it belongs, things belonging to
neutral persons which happen to be in
the enevy's ships are to be diginguifhed
from those of the even,." Again the
fame writer in/book 3, chapt. VII, feds.
112, 113, 11$, 116, fays, " Commodi
ties particularly tiled in war are called
contraband. Such are arms, military
and naval stores, timber, horses and
Senprov/fons in certain junctures when
there are hopes of reducing an enemy
by famine." “ All contraband goods
therefore on being seized, are.confiscated
that the fear of loss by repressing the
avidity of gain may induce neutral mer
chants to forbear supplying the enemy
with contraband goods.'' —" Without
searching neutral ships at sea, the
commerce of contraband goods cannot
be prevented—Were is then a right of
searching. Some powerful nationshave
at 'ifferent times refufed this search.—
Afrefent a neutral ship refufing to be
Searched wouldfa this proceeding alone
be condemned as lawful prize."
This was a French author writing
half a century since.—Again, “ Effe&s
belonging to an enemy found on board
a neutral ship are sizable by the rights
of war ; —but by the law of nature the
matter is t'o be paid bis freights" —This
is' the invariable pra^ice of all regu
lar admiralty courts. I shall examine
tome Dutch civilians hereafter.
A FRIEND TO COMMERCE.
COMMERCIAL.
The Britiih Consul-General for the Eaflern
LONDON, MARCH 9.
Hi@ Majesty is recovering rapidly, and in a
day or two there will be no occasion for the
(bulletin of health. The fever .has certainly
j been extremely severe, and the fiiock received
I will render the King, it is apprehended, too in
:firm to attend immediately to the weighty, cares
! of Government. The King this day, did pub
! lie business at Buckingham-house, having sign
led a commission to pass the bills at present in
I feadinefs. His Majesty, it is fyrhored, has ex
pressed a wish that a regency should be formed
^ until his health is thoroughly re-established.
! The illustrious perferfges, it is said, who
I are to comppfe the regency, are the Prince of
Wales, the Duke of York, and her Majesty.—
On this fubjed lthe Prince and the Duke had
; a conference this morning with MR Pitt,
I and a meftage it is rumoured, relative to this
limportantlimportant business from his majesty, will be
I delivered by the latter Right Hon. G^qe
j man, to the House of Commons. - '**
Lord Minto continues to affeit that the Eng
lish have effected a debarkation in Egypt with
out obstacle ; but he added, without doubt to
give more credit to the news, that they have
been ^pulfed from the interior, whither they
had penetrated. We mull then believe that the
defeent has been effected by another division
than that which was at the end of December,
at the Bay of Makri.
Paris, march 5. 1
Government have this year eloathed abo«
40,000 prisoners of wars
It is stated positively that the King of Na
ples has shut his ports against the English and
laid an embargo upon their Whipping.
The squadron of Admiral Gantheaume has
seized five 'or fix vessels; among others, one
containing -180 women, on the road from Mal
ta to Fort Mahon, belonging to the soldiers
in Sir Ralph Abercromby's army.
wisel, feb. 28.
, The army of infurre&ion in Transylvania,
tinder the orders of Baron de Kienmayer, and
which with the Hungarian levies, is approach
ing the Turkish frontiers, is said, in a letter from
Strafburgh, of February 26, to have for its ob
je& theexpulfion of the Turks from Europe. The
French army, for the purpose of better subsist
ence, had, notwithstanding, the signing of peace,
advanced to St. Polten, within ten leagues of
Vienna.
Earl Moira, who is constantly with
the Prince, is expected to be included,
in the new arrangement under the re
gency, should such a measure be adopt
ed. Such are the political rumours of
the day.
There are precedents on record for
such a measure, in the reign of George
11, and William 111. It is now more
than probable that Mr. Pitt and Mr.
Dnndas will be included in the new
ministry, and Mr. Addington remain
in the capacity of,a private gentleman,
as that intimacy does not subsist be
tween him and the Premier, which did
previous .to his relinquishing the Speak
er’s Ci&ft .-
A courier extraordinary arrived from Paris,
has brought orders for the Immediate demolition
of the forts and fortreffes on the right bank of
the Rhine, viz. Kehl,Old Brifach,Phillipfburgh,
Caffel, Ehrenbreitftein, an^ Duffeldorf, The
work Was instantly begun, and such adivity has
been displayed at Kehl, that the fortrefs will
soon be completely razed. The small town of
Kehl, which was burned during the war, so as
that no trace of it now remains, will then be
rebuilt. -c „*
BERLIN, FEB. Ij.
THE following details tranfpircd here yeiler-|
day ; M. d'Haugwitz yeftefday received|
a visit from the Hanoverian Envoy, who must
doubtlefshave been sent to the Prussian Minis
ter by Lord Carysfort, in order to found him
refpe&ing the proje&s of his Government. —
He adverted to the diftin&ion that subsists be
tween Great-Britian and Hanover ; to the fate
that may eventually await that electorate which
by Buffing into the hands of one of the sons of
the King of England, might form an indepen
dent State, ; to the forbearance of that Electo
rate, to intermeddle in the exiting disputes ; —
and finally to the refutation taken by the Han
overian Government, to hold itfelf wholly aloof
from them ; to these observations the Prussian
Minister thus replied : “ That as his Britannic
Majesty adopted by sea whatever measures he
-thought proper, To the Continental Powers im
agined themselves entitled to aC tin a similar
manner with regard to their territories."'
The tenor erf the anTwer made by Mr. Rof
yoplin to Lord Grenville, is, "as the court of
London has acted with ill faith toward Russia,
h ; Imperial Majesty laid an embargo on the
English. Gripping, and that hie should continue
.that embargo Until Malta was,eftored to the
order of St. John ; that these (hips, and the sea
men belonging to them,have been put in a place
of surety ; that the wants of the prisoners shall
be fapplied ; and that the agent Schwift shall
be font back as not being wanted ; and, finally,
that England should entertain po hopes of re
newing her intercourse with Ruma, until M&lta
shall be restored." , '
The King of Prufiia said a few days ago in
the midst of his Court," England has gone too
great length ; icis time that this comedy were
concluded ; the English have difeovered their
perfidy ; the moment has at length arrived for
bringing them to their senses." [Moniteur.]
Various plans of indemnities and arrangements
are circulated. That which the Gazettes of
Franconia give most credit to, imports that the
whole of that circle is destined for the Grand
Duke of Tuscany, and that the King of Prufiia
will be indemnified for the cession of the M.a
graviate of Anfpach and Bareuth, by Hanover,
the Bishopric of Ofhaburgh,Hamburgh,Lubeck,
&c. However, these are only conjectures, and
it is probably that nothing is yet definitively fet
tled between the principal powers upon the ge
neral plan of indemnities. Some persons, who
have the means of being well informed, assure
us that Hamburgh will preserve its indepen
dence. '
The Emperor has already ratified the treaty
of peace. He has officially communicated it to
the Diet of Ratifbon. The principal Commis
sary, the Count de la Tour and Taxis, and the
Imperial Commissary, have travelled with great
expedition frum Vienna to Ratifbon. The chief
fitting of the Diet was to take place yesterday.
Late Foreign News,
By an arrival at Bfton bringing London dates to-
March 12, 1801.
MINDEN, FEB. 2J.
, It is believed that the occupation of Bremen,
Hamburgh and the EleClorate of Hanover, de
pends on the answer from the Britifli Cabinet,
to the Note of his Prussian Majesty. A corps
elf troops from the interior of Prussia ate on their
march ; its force is not exactly ascertained.
STRATSBURGH, FEB. 2,..
BAMBURG, FEB. 23.
VIENNA, FEB,!,.
son, with his division, arrived there on
Sunday, and the whole are expeded to
fail in a few days for the Baltic, under
I the command of Admiral Sir Hyde
Parker Lord Nelson's ship took on
board, while in the Downs, a great
number of flat-bottomed boats, and
several pieces of heavy battering artil
lery.- MARCH 11.
The sanguine hopes which we an
nounced for some days' past, of his Ma
jesty's speedy recovery, are now fully
realifed. His Majesty's restoration to
health, at the present important crisis,
is an event for which the whole nation
ought to offer up its grateful acknowl
edgments to that protesting power who
has so often averted the threatning
:ftorm, and dispelled the gloomy clouds
I that hovered overus. The following
is the official Bulletin of this day, and
the last that will be issued on the pre
sent occasion :—
" Haem's Heffa March ir.
" His Mijefty is free from fever,
and seems only to require the time al
ways neceflary after so severe an illness,
for the recovery of his.ufual health and
strength. (Signed)
T T. GISBORNE,
. “T. ^. REYNOLDS."
The Earl of Chatham, it is said, is to
TRENTON, AVRIL 21.
/ INTERESTING LETTER.
^xtraa of a letter from an Officer ^n board the
United States frigate George Wafoington, to a
gentleman in Trenton, dated at Sea, March I.
We yesterday failed from Gibralter
with a favorable wind in company with
four American vessels, and at fun set
took a last happy view of the shores of
Europe and Africa, and believe me, I
saw the land fink in the ocean' with a
pleasure not to be defc'ribed, having
for fix months past experienced as fin.
gular a variety of incidents as fall to
the fliare of one set of mortals. My
letter to you, dated at Algiers in ORb
ber last, by Capt. Brown of the Iliip
Brutus, must no doubt have come to
hand. Os the nature of our voyage
to Constantinople you were then in
formed, and of the arbitrary will of the
Dey, or Chains. Odr ship was loaded
with paffengers^nd slaves and animals,
as presents to the Grand Seignior. We
had, however, a fortunate paffige of
twenty one days to the city of Constan
tinople, through a difficult and unfafe
navigation, and to Americans wholly
new, as we displayed the f.rft Ameri
can flag to the Sublime Porte, and so
ignorant were they of us; as a people,
that it was with fo'me difficulty we ex
plained who we were ; but when known
we were received with every mark of
attention to us as Americans. But the
embassy of the Dey did not meet with
the fame favorable reception ; his pre
sents were not accepted, and the Gene
ral of Marine was not admitted to an
audience—his person & presents were
to be detained until the Dey should de
clare. war against the French, afford
supplies to the Turkish army and give'
liberty to a number of slaves, &c.—The
Algerine flag, which had fuperceded
our pendant, was hauled down, and we
were desired to wear our own colors.
The Captain Bafhaw, who is admiral
of the navy, and of, high authority,
treated Capt. Bainbridge with distin
guished marks of attention, and is very
desirous of increasing the connexion be
tween the two countries. We found
here Foreign Ministers from almost all
the courts in Europe, from whom we
met with the most polite attention, and
otr time was spent with much fatisfac
tion to ourselves from the fith Novem
ber to 30th December, when we failed
again for Algiers. We have every rea
son to expect that our visit to Constan
tinople will be attended with happy con
sequences to our country, tho' our situ
ation, as individuals, was rathe, un
pleasant. I fliall take another oppor
tunity to deftribe to you the appear
ance of the country apd the exten
sive city of Conftahtinople, (which far
surpasses any city I have ever seen) as
well as the manners and customs of
the Tu'ks, which to me were all new
and worthy of observation.
From Constantinople we brought
the secretary of the general of marine,
beaming the conditions of peace from
the Grand Seignior to the Dey, and
two other officers miffionartes to the
Beys of Tunis and Tripoli, from whom
also requisitions were made for supplies,
&c, These two we landed at Malta on
our return, and arrived at Algiers in
22 days, having experienced a- severe
gale of wind before we got. in. We
here expected we should have been
compelled again to have returned to
Conilantinople with the Dey's answer,
but by the exertions of our Consul we
were happily released from that fervi
A very formidable fleet is now col
le&ed iq Yarmouth Roads. Lord Nel-
nance, the Duke of Portland,, Lord
President of the Council, and the Rt.
Hon. Thomas Pelham, Secretary of
State for the home department, and to
be called up to the House of Peers.
Mr. Addington, it is now asserted,
is to be made a Peer, and Speaker of
the House of Lords ; and Mr. Pitt, is
to be the past, present and future Chan
cellor of the Exchequer.
be appointed master general of the ord-
By the last Mails.
19NbON, MARCH 10 —ll.
title. The Dey has found it'moft pru
dent to comply with the demands of
the Gfarid Seignior, and declared war
against I'rance, and released about 400
slaves, chiefly Germans, Genoefe and
Ex-Venetians, who were -extremely
thankful to us as the means of their
liberation ; so that though slaves our
selves, we had given freedom to others.
We were now required to perform an
other service . • The French Consul and
citizens were ordered to leave the do
minions of the Dey in thirty days ; —-
but having no vessel, we were requeftad
to take them on board and land them i:1
some port in Spain : This was affording
protection to a nation against which we
had orders to cruize and make prison
ers of their citizens ; we however re
ceived them, with their baggage on
board, and took our departure on the
31st January, and on the sth February
we arrived at Alicant in Spain. Here
we landed our paflengers, and on the
Sth failed for Gibraltar, where, after
beating for several daysragainft head
winds and a severe gale, we arrived on
the 2tft, happy in finding a people once
more, who spoke our language and
looked like ourselves. We were treat
ed here with great politeness, and not
required to perform quarantine, which
is usually expected ; and while waiting
for a fair wind to pass the Streights,
we had an opportunity, to view the
rock and fortifications, which for de
fence exceed all description on paper ;
the galleries cut in the solid rock, plant
ed with cannon in every direction, and
winding round the hill almost from the
base to the summit, display the most
aftopifliing power cf labour that is pos
sible tc conceive of, and appears as if
ages would have been required, in the
execution, yet a few years accomplished
the whole. The number of troops are
now about 4500, but a greater number
is soon expected.', ' -
NEw-YORK, April „.
A meeting of the Federalists, was held last
Saturday evening at the City-Hotel in Broad
way, which was the mofl refpedable for cha
rader and numbers that this city ever witnes
sed. The meeting was opened by mr. Harri
son, who after many pertinent observations on
the present crisis of our affairs, and the neces
sity of vigorous and united exertions at the eu
fuing election, in order to preserve to our coun*
try the bkffings of social order, reported from
the general committee the following Ticket for
Members of Assembly, which was unanimously
agreed upon :—
Robert Troup, John Oothout,
Selah Strong,, James Roofevclt,
Nathaniel Pedleton, Isaac Burr,
Jonathan Little, Jacob Sherred,
Abraham Russell, Cad D. Golden,
Samuel Stilwell, John Townsend,
William W. Wollfey, ,
After which G<n. Hamilton addressed the
meeting in one of those eloquent and impres
sive speeches which diftinguilh this superior
man. He took a general review of the Rate
of the country since the revolution—examined
the conduct of |he two parties which have ex
ited in it—fliewed that it was to the Federal
party cxclufively that we owe the unexampled
prosperity which we have hitherto enjoyed,
an<hhat those measures had met with undif
tinguifhing opposition from their adversaries.
He dwelt upon the advantages which we had
derived from our neutrality, and warned the
merchants particularly against a blind confidence
in our present prosperous situation. It was his
opinion that the spirit of Jacobinifm which has
aimoft desolated France, and threatened the
world, was now only held in chains by the pow
er of one man, and that if the hand of the as
sassin could only teach the life of Bonaparte,
the monfler would rage again with more vio
lence and ferocity than ever—That there was
a set of men in this country, actuated, some by
motives less worthy than others (who might
rather be considered dupes) but the great mass
of whom were downright Jacobins at heart,
and upon whose movements and machinations
it was of the last importance to keep the most
• vigilant eye—That it Was highly important
that Fcderalifm should dill difeover to her ene
mies an energetic and impdfing character —
that it was of extreme consequence that the
Rate of New-York should be able to harmonize
with the politics of New-England, for although
he was disposed to hope the best from the ad
ministration of mr. Jefferfon, yet it was cer
tainly deferable that we should be able to pre
sent such a phalanx as might enable us to fop
port the.dhief magifbate, if he went right, and
fu^cient to deter him if he appeared disposed
to go wrong.
It would be impossible to follow him in de
tail through his long and animated fpecch; of
which this is but a feeble outline. It was the
energy of Demoflhcnes, the ardor of Catham,
the overpowering rapidity of Fox, the logic of
Pitt, the claflical imagery of Burke.—ln short
it was worthy of Alexander Hamilton.—lt
gave a new;pulfe ta the public feelings, and we
hope to fee its effet^s among all claries of men.
The, offerers of the Berceau corvette, it ;.,
said, are to receive a thousand livre, per month
(more than fix dollars per day) during the time
they have been prisoners to the United States.
This order has been given by the Prefidept, in
con fcquence of certain representations of Citi
zen Pichon. The Berceau, as we have before
Rated, is refitting ; and is supposed will cofl to
the sum of between 30,000 and 40,000 dolls.'!
The ship Borneo, capt Oliver , of this port, was
seen totally difmafted and bowsprit gone, on the
19th inst in lat 37 40, long 69, full of water,
her name was plainly to be seen bn her stern,
“ Borneo of Boston," —We are informed by her
owners, that her cargo was flour and rice, to
gether with three bags of gold^ in four pistole
pieces, amounting to 27499 dollars; it may
therefor be an obje& for vessels passing sear
this latitude and longitude to look out for th^
wreck —the wind h^pg to the northward and
caftward for 6or 7 days after the was, seen. #
~ BOSTON, APRIL 28,
Appearances in New-York Rate, are greatly
in favour of the success of Mr. Van Rensselaer,
as Governor. He is a genuine federalift. A
writer in a New-York paper fays, " Like the
beloved and virtuous Gov. Strong, of Massa
chusetts, against whose unsullied fame, the fame
party have been turning their accursed batteries
of defamation, he receives the warmest teftimo
n% of esteem and refpe& from those who know
him most intimately."
GOOD !
BOSTON, APRIL „Q
t ift January 1794 can be permitted to remain
I on the Ifland.]
[Ar/.IX. Provides for the freedom and fecu
+ity of free people of colour ; granted on the
terms of the previous article.] .•
[Art. X. Provides against the Officers and
Soldiers being billeted on the inhabitants:
granted, provided proper quarters were fu rnish
ed.] ,
XI. The inhabitants concerned in his M's Loan,
shall not be compelled to make any payment on
account of the fame, as long as the colony re
mains fubjedt to his Britanic mainly.
Answer. The inhabitants Concerned in his
D. Majesty's Loan, must make their payment
to his B. majesty's they become due.
XII. All public books, registers, archied of
' government and the burgher Council and ail
other public offices be held sacred and unmo
lested in the refpedlive offices under the care cl
the present Officers.
Answer. All public books and records .of
Iwhatever nature, must be submitted to exanr
nation, but afterwards ,e allowed to remains
their proper offices. .
. XIII. The ports of the colony shall be open
to all American vessels, who shall be permittee
to import provisions and supplies, and to export
produce. The inhabitants shall enjoy the La
liberty of importation and exportation in tacit
own veffels..'
Answer. The fame indulgences will be graft < ,
ed to all American vessels as in the blinds w
der his B. Majesty's Government. Ihe inn.,:
bitants taking the oath of allegiance will enj.
4 the fame privileges as in the Britiih colonies
|with refpedlto trade.,
I Done on board bis B. trafficfc'ty Lm&C
I March 31# xßoi
possession of the English, within the last 10 days.
All the floating property,with the King's ftor'eL•
and debts of every description, together With
the property of all the Danish Captains .nJ
European Danes, that have never 'inhabited
'this colony, fuffers confiscation; those of our
Answer. Granted
. 11. Proper ships will be provided at the ex
pence of his Britannic Majesty, to carry direct
ly to Copenhagen, all his Danish Majesty's of
ficers of the army and navy, and of the civil es
tablishment with their dometlics aul baggage
and also to convey the garrison and seamen.—
But should any of tho officers wish to go to A*
unfortunate planters who aro in arrears of pay
ment to his Mafefty will be very hard pushed
for payment .His Excellency Gen. Fuller is to
command oir Island ; and by him and the Ad
miral, we are allured, that every ften will be
taken to insure peace and security to the inhabi
tants. This day, however, a Proclamation has
been issued, on pain of banishment and forfeiture
of property, to deliver up tneir arms, & to take
the oath of allcgiance&foie the Bth instant.—
Which oath we have foft^ned, in terms, to one
of neutrality. We shall be allowed to carry on
business, as formerly, by the Americans being
permitted, as usual, to import every article on
the fame duties, and carry away one half the
proceeds of their cargoes, only in sugar and the
other in tym. 400 troops are quartered here,
and twotundred at Weft-End ; the officers on
ly are billeted with the inhabitants r our Danish
soldiers and sailors are about embarking as pri
soners, for Martinique.
ARTICLES of CAPITULATION,
Proposed by Governor General Lindemann, so
tbeir Excellencies Lieutenant General Trigge,
and Rear Admiral Duckworth, Commander in
Cbief of bis Britannic Majesty's Forces.
Article 1. The Garrison shall evacuate
t^c forts, and all the, troops of the island give
up their refpe&ive quarters They shall march
out of said forts with their arms and baggage,
and all the honors of war, with two field pieces
colours flying,drumsbeating,but previous to the
evacuation they will dilfharge all their guns,
and the officers will keep their fide arms.
cannot be allowed to remain on the island
merica in their way home, they will be pro
vided with parfports to that effect,
Answer. The garrison and seaman must be ,
tonfidered as prisoners of war, and be conveyed
im?(x< 1 ANr.
ExtraC; of a letter from a referable gentleman in
ibe Island of St. Croix, dated April 3, 1801.
" 1 hasten to communicate to you such infor
mation of the late change which has taken place
here, as may be acceptable, though not perhaps
plcafing. On the 31st ult, in the morning ap
peared off our harbour 21 fail of armed vessels,
commanded by Admiral Duckworth ; at 11
o'clock, a truce arrived from his ship with a sum
mons to our Gen. to furrendec the Island to his
Britannic Majesty, offering terms that were
thought mild ; and assuring us, at the fame time,
that rtfiftance against a force so far superior to
that of our Island, would but involve the inhab
itants in innumerable difficulties; being very
illy prepared tor defence, it was thought pru-.
dent to make the best t?rms we could, with
out bloodshed ; and pofleffion was accordingly'
given on the ift inst. St. Bartholomews. St.
Martins and St. Thomas have also fallen into
to Eufope as speedily as possible ; but such of
ficers as may desire it, will be allowed a Pass-
port to go to America on their parole of honour
not to serve until regularly exchanged, and
must depart from the island in the course of two
months, from the signing of this capitulation.
111. Such of his Danish Majesty's officers
who should wish to remain on the island, are
to be allowed fa to dc-
Anfwtr. The officers of the army and navy
1V All churches and religious congregations
fhall be fuppoßted in their refpedive rites and
privileges Answer. Granted.
V. The D. law and special ordinances of the
country, shall remain in full and uncontr ouled
vigor and execution as hitherto, and justice be
administered by persons now in office ; the ap
peals from the upper courts of justice in Copen
hagen, or to a high court to be nominated by
the British government, to consist of three Dan
ish lawyers, and two reputable inhabitants who
underhand the Danish language, and to be pre
sided by the British Governor.
here, the appeal must be made to his Britanic
Majesty in Council.
VI. All the inhabitants of this island, present
and absent, of any denomination, to remain in
full and uncontrouled possession oftheir proper
ty of every description, and they shall meet
with' no impediment in the administration
thereof.
Answer. The D. laws and ordinances shal l
remain in force at present ; but persons filling
civil offices muft,be fubjedt to our approbation,
and in the event of an appeal from the Court,
Answer. The property of all the inhabitant
will be refpeded except of the French, Spanish
and Dutch who have become residents since the
ill Jan. 1794.
[Art. VIL Provides that the attornies of^bfen
tees shall be continued in their offices; which
was granted, with the exception of sequester
ing for the present, the property of warehouf-
es and other goods.],
[Art. VIII. Provides against being compell
ed to bear arms against his Danish Majesty ;
and for being allowed to dispose of property,
and quitting the Island; granted by an exac
tion of an oath of neutrality. This article also
ordains, that no French, Spanish or Dutch in
habitant, who has become a refidept since the