The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-05-26 00:00:00

FRENCH FLEET IN T►HL' WEST INDIES.

The following letter, which we receive:l this morn-
ing from our Correspondent at Plymouth, presents
a melancholy picture of the devastation which has
been commitledin the West Indies by the enemies
fleet, presently cruising iu that quarter

PLYMOUTH, ?.ht O.

Arrived this morning the ship Patent, of London,
Capt. M'MAsTEas, having sailed from hence a short
time since for Jamaica ; but on the 17th ins!. in lat.
39., 14. she fell in with an enemy's squadron,
consisting of the Ariane, of 14 gu11.5; ..indro,;•ache,
44 guns ; and Mama:like brig, 16 guns, under the
command of Commodore Pi:writ:a ; which sy aadrnn
left Nuts on the 9th of January last, and some
days after chased the Surzwillonte frigate into Co-
tentin, since which they have been to the West In-
dies, but did not touch at any of the islands there.
It appeals that the object of their cruise was entirely
plunder and destruction of Commerce, in which
they have unfortunately succeeded to a great extent,
'as will arc ear by the fol'owing Usk of vessels, the
greater part of which had valuable cargoes onboard,
the enemy having burnt or sunk the whole, first
taking out the most valuable parts of their cargoes.

[Here follows the list of vessels, 21 in number,
which we are obliged to postpone publishing until to-
morrow.]
The Patent was given up as a cartel, aid has on
board about 150 persons, consisting of Masters and
crews of vessels destroyed ; and there remained about
200 others on board the French squadron, which the
Patent quitted on the 18th inst. in lat. 40. long. 14.;
and the next day fell in with the &hates l;rig of war,
and gave the intelligence ; and, a few days after, fell
in with the Semiramis and Andromache frigates, and
since that with the Helicon brig of war ; so that
should the enemy attempt to make the western
ports, we may expect to hear a good account
of them from our numerous cruizers.— It is
the opinion of some of the Masters that are ar-
rived here, that the enemy will go North about, and
attempt to get into Norway or the Texel ; and
others think they will' keep to the Southward, to
wait a gale of west wind and then push for Bonn.
draux, or some one of the ports to the Westward.—
The Eagte excise cutter, of this port, Capt. ADAMS,
has recaptured and sent in the Spanish brig Louisa,.
from TenerilTe to London; having been captured by
A French privateer.

We have this day appropriated a considerable part
of our columns to the report of the Trial, Lovi:LL
a. GOLDSMITH, and had intended to have made some
remarks on the nature of the evidence, and other
parts of the proceedings ; but several circumstances
having transpired since the CAUSE was heard, to I
induce a belief that a new Trial will be granted, we '
deem it most prudent to abstain from any observe-
tions on these points, till the issue of the intended
application is known. In the meanwhile, Mr. Lo.
YELL feels himself called upon to notice the speech
of Mr. Geaeow, part of which has no' foundation
in truth, but is the effusion of his own brain,
'br the invention of his employers. Mr. GARRoW •
has not yet to learn, that a Counsel may expose
himself to great persooal inconvenience by being tog
lavish of his scurrility at the Rer ; and the trial of
Baron IlosteEsce, at Maidstone, must be as fresh WI
his me*ory as it is is that of Air. LovpLL, who was'
isroaseatied i?y Mr. G4Uow, met* copying a
~al& which hied "petrel in a country Paper,
.vespxtiog the alkk witb him lad the Baron. 'ft,is
jelkthillt Kr. 440001 ii it•PiletSie ProteCuEißA Pre*

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