Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-05-31
BOSTON, May 81.

We learn by a gentleman whs came
10 the last eastern stage, that two sea-
men belonging to the privatser ship A
lexandcr. OF 10 guns, captain Crownin.
shield, of Salem, cams passenger, in the
sage from Portsmouth 10 that town.
They informed that on Wednesday,, be.
tween 10 and O'Clock. that ship was
chased on shore in Wells Bay, by
British brig Of war, a sloop oil wsr said
90 be in con- pany TIE Alexander bad
sndesvored TO reack Portsmouth,, but the
wI.d favored the enemy who were so
close IN ,he pursuit, that but 20 ot the
crew escaped, x aboul 20 more, includ-
ing the ofbc er,, remained On board, when
she was tsksn possession OF. The Bli-
tsh got the ship off, and sent iniorns-
t,sn 10 the marshal of the district, that
tney would release Lie prisoners On pa.
role.
The Alexander had .akcn seven pri
zes, and had on board upwards Of leo
British prisoners, whs were retsksn.-
She took tive prizes last Suuday One
. brig loaded with sugar, coffee ard IN.
digo, and the ether a schooner. She
slss took sloep from Hal't.x far tho
w. st Indies, with pat Of the Vslants'
cargo.
The Alexander was a beauiful cor
vette-built ship, and foi merly belonged
tc Baltimore.
Ertyact Of letter from q reshee'abk
mercantile House in LIUTfool, datea
.Hhra 5.
"The uncertainty which prevailed for
a considerable time past respecting the
precise nature Of the policy which our
Government would adopt as to the fu-
ture import Of American produce, ard
the various reports Of pacific oserluss
from America 10 this country rendered
our market tor every description Of a
merican produce extremely dull, and the
prices ad dsciincd TO the rates as quot.
cd below. By adyices received IRON
I.ond.n on the :e,h ult. it was under
.tcod, that our go,etrmsnt had at lehsth
finally determined that Cotton should
continue t. be sdnittod IN N-uuais, sub
ject howeyer To the psyment. 81 AN aool
tiopal duty Of Cd par TO- and IN MI
,ish vessels from Neutral dcpots oil pay
mci OF an additional duty 81 20 PER
IL this created temporary hrlskiess
in our market, ard the prices OF Gotten
advanced cd 2 I'D per 10. Every
douht IS tn tie terms on winch tbs al
ticle vii be admitted is now almost
wholly removed by the discussion rhicb
las takers place in the House CT tom'
rooms en proposition from The ministry
to sano,ich By law the imposition OF these
additional duties. So generally was such
a measure rsprobated as impohtlc, 'hat
we presume the import Of American
Cotton viii continue to be allowed Oh
payment of the fermer duties, sither ID
Neutral vessels directly or circuitcu'ly,
or in British vessels from Neutral &C.
po,s-in Neutral vessels direct, the pro-
perry must appear to be neutral IN the
ether cases it may be either BRUSH OF
Neutral. By an Order in Council OF ths
soth OF March copy (which we SUB,
join, ceit tain psrts in the Onlted o'a'e'
rave been declared in state ct Elrek'
ado, in addition t. the blockade OF the
Delaware, and Chesapeake; these mea,
.urss are however generally deehss
teither sufficiently extensive, nor can
.hsy be SO strictly enforced as to pre-
sertnur. receiving considerable supple
from the United Siates--the prices have
stherefors declined to What they were,
the quo.slisns-at foot n,ust be coDsdr,,
cd only nominal, IS it is extremely GU,