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

srectors and Judges, fourteen IN nunlDsi'
They enouired by an interpreter, whether l
could speak French, and as minated !
did not. the interpreter communicated the
questions and answers The history OF my
voyage was then particularly enquired into,
and / was asked if did not know OF the
French DEGREES? answered that did not,
|. and supposed such DEGREES must have been
passed since left America. They then
particularly examined-me whether had not
been boarded bya British cruizer! And as
thev appeared to know the names of most
OF the English vessels on the northern sta
ton, they mentioned several OF them to me.
positively denied having been boarded by
a.British cruizer, for never had been.---
After some conversation among themselves,
I was offered one third OF the vessel and
CARGO, if I would confess that had been
boarded, assuring me at the same time, that
every rsspec: and attention should then be
paid to my person and property was
stung with indignation at the offer to bride
me, and replied that though WAS deeply
interested Ia the vessel and cargo, could
not sacrifice my honor to retain IL. They
again earnestly urged me to make the con-
fession-The Berlin* decree was read to
me, and the chief director observed, that
had better at once confess as the liberal Of.
fers made by his imperial majesty would
prevail with soma one OF the crew to swear
to the fact eff being visited, and should
then lose the bounty, besides being impri-
soned-I imprudently told the direct
ors, | did not before know that any govern
ment would offer bribe to witness to tell
,falsehood.
After their cxertions by many ingenious
cross questions to entrap me, and finding 1t
fruitless, was committed to prison, and
my door was guarded by two gems d. arms,
which was again told was~ 6 mere tormak-
t." My chief mate, George Thaxter, was
|. then called before the directors and as he
afterwards informed me, they put the same
question to him as they had to me, respect
|. ing his name country, &c. After his de-
nying any knowledge of the French decree,
he was asked how much wages was due
him from the ship he answered about one
hundred dollars. "We are sorry for your
loss said the chief director, but we will
maks !. ag e ers yqsh saR5a1 Nm has n ds:
tended deposition in French which the mate
could not ready here is the written comics.
sion the mate answered that if the captain
had declared to lie he should not, and de.
MED positively that the ship had been hoard
ed by a British cruiser. The interpreter
her "a Ra, 1,,,}$
shelving him, what dhaxtcr was,told was a
declaration, assured kim if he would sign it
he should not suffer any of THE penalties of
that decree, and should receive all the wages
due him besides. 81 his he refused. The
chief director, then used the most threaten.
ing language. aHe told him he should, in
case he Fersisted.in refusal be sent to pri
son, and kept there. and perhaps starve--toy
yonr eoOernnent, added he, zuiHnotreEeve
goH. ssBut if youwill make one confession
you shall have one third the vessel and car.
so, and go where you please. &1'haxterstill
persisted in what.he had said, and was bro'tl
,'6q the .s'aarss to the same prison with my
self, ali communication between Us and the
rest OF the crew was cut of.
My COOK James Welsh was then examin.
ed, and after the usual question, the chief
director told him that the captain (meaning
me and mate mad both attesscd that the
ship had been frequently bearded by sBri-
fish cruizers, and added, as 6 2oxseye.ako
one honest looking man, no doubt you.zviU
CONFESS n'e same" Welsh denied any know
ledge OF such a fact. The director then told
HIM ne should receive 5000 livres to make
the same confession--Welsh assured them
# any British cruizers had boarded them.
ne had noskncwledge oft, and believed that
such an event could not have taken place
without his knowing it-aftervarious threat.
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of liberation