Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-07-01

pc 3H0ts-15 oil0S ~ ''ss :,
however persisted in asserting that our ship
had not been boarded by any English yes
sci. and was then committed to prison, a.
mid the scornful sneers and reproaohes OF
the tribune and soldiers who accompanied
him-Here any further examination was
suspended for the present. The next thing
that took place, | was marched on foot Ill
company with four Swedish and three Eng
lishmen, prisoners of war, to Verdun, 300
miles from St. Maloes-in the course OF
which I suffered every thing that human
being could undergo and survive--we were
guarded by six Gems d'Arms on horseback.
Wien we. arrived we were put into close
prison, and after some days correspon-
dent at Nantz agreed to make some ad-
vances in money for me, and also became
nv bail in the sum Of forty thousand francs,
of which the condition was that should
not leave. the country without permission OF
the government. was then permitted TO
return on foot to St. Maloes, and allowed
to walk the streets, and 4 sous, equal to 4
cents day was given me by government
for my subsistence
/ One day in walking TIE streets OF st.
Maloes, K met with Thomas Todd, mas
ter ofshe American ship Catherine, owned
bv Mr.. Clifford Of Philadelphia, and knew
! him. He had been brought in about
week before myself and under the same
decree. Captain Todd ] found, was des-
titute of cloathing and even food. lhe pri-
yateersmen from mere formalite" had roo
| bed him of every thing. Having some lit
tie credit myself, gave him temporary
relief, but L undeis stand he still REMAINS
prisoner, together with his mate Mr.. Ste
vens. and crew al in confinement at st.
.Maloes. / mention this circumstance to
| inform his and their friends and relations IN
This cosntry OF their present destitute anG
deplorable situation. But TO return 10 my
| own case.
was not permitted to have the least
communication with any OF my crew. At
length the tribune again assembled and the
examination proceeded. he next witness
was a poor ignorant seaman, by the name
of Tames Simpson he had been some time
in prison and had suffered much from fear
and confinement. They began by assuring
| him that all the others who had been exa-
/ mined had Confessed that the ship had been
boarded by an English cruizer, and offered
| him the same brides that the others had re-
The afu one Till of the yes
sci and cargo besides, overcame him. and
they obtained their purposes. he baselv
and falsely affirmed that my ship had been
| boarded by cruiser, bat he did not know
| OF what nation. This however was seized
upon as sufficient BY the plundering tribu-
| nal, and on his single, loose testimony on
ly, contradicted by all therest of the officers
| and crew, was the act of sequestration issu-
ed against the vessel and, cargo. The lat
| ter was invoiced at St. Petersbureh
At fs41 900
The ship was werth at least 10000
Making in the whole 1880
Shortly after the sequestration obtained
permission to go to. Paris to see the Anne
rlcan minister; where arrived in the ear
~ part OF June, 1903. i Immediately CAL
led on MIR. Skipwith the american Consul.
who patiently. and politely heard history
otall my suferings and advised me to re-
late,fny case.to general Armstrong, who
would doubtless assist me. j accordingly
waited on the minister and repeated to him
an account OF my voyage, capture, sc. At /
ter Rearing all the story of my sugerings
through, ne observed to me that the go
vernment of the. United States had laid an
embargo on all shipping, and be therefore
considered that American vessels now ma
vlgatlng the ocean were prosecuting an un.
lawful commerce, consequently they were
not entitledso- his interposi.ion in their fa-
vor. 4 replied that | knew nothing of such I
an embargo, having left America prior to (
Its existence. Z havingssince been in coun-