Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-06
EAsroM, lMdl April q.

Sohh Nieredith aud Mr.. William BrCmweli
from Queens Town, sent in there by the
ehenv,s biockading quadron.-'rhe follow
Ing statement, by them hastily taken of
their treatment &c. is Offered to the public.
On Friday last 10Th we left Baltimore. Mt
III O'Clock stood down the Patapso with
a iine breezcSti we got near North Point
when we discovered plainly 8 large ships
anG several smaller vessels apparently n
bout miles above the mouth of Chester
Nifer. Thinking he had best put back, the
SKIPPER OF the packet, Bateman, (the cap
tam and owner being sick at honey shifted
ms course and stood up the river sailing
some time on our way up, discovering no.
thing that could modest us, and thi0k;nr
that they would Continue, put again down the
river. On our way this SECOND time down
the Gun Boat stationed some miles above
n. Point, got under way and stood IN the
river had not proceeded far down the RI
yer when we discovered row boats under
North Point, about IS miles distant, stand
ing as we thought TO the land-immediate
~ put oack again the second time up the nj
YER alter going on some time we found the
row ooats coming after us and gaining
took out our sweeps x manned them well
and made the best of our wav sun,osin,
they might be eremy's barges, thouph there
were different opinions-s.me said thew
were re n boats, who had been up the bay
-others that they were major Barneyis
oarges sent to keep n look out--the wind
becoming l'gat, they gained On us so fast that
we 'hot they were eenemy S baiSes and be.
lux apprehenslNe we should be taken waved
sisnai to the Gun boat Just ahead--6nd-
W sue took no notice OF us, but still stood
oHseXerted every nerve to prevent being
caWpIed-vain struggle. about O'CLOCK
theyVhred several shot from musketrv AT
us-wA now toynd indeed that we were
gone, ~ an hohr before we had not thu
least idea but that we could make the for
VITA All ease. before they uld come tlp
Wlth us-a few minutes after their frs
IRE the enemy came along side, boarded
rom small oarges containing 20 men
eacn, and captured US, within FIVE miles Of
the Fort OF Baltimore, the gun boat. as we
passed, about or 400 yards a head she
did not Ere till tue enemy had boarded us
when they appeared TO aim their shot at
us, TWO OF which were very near striking
cur mast and stern. 1t appears to be the
OPINION OF every passenger OH board the
packet and (even the enemy himself said
decidedly that the gun boat might q OUGHT
to have protected us.
Immediately after the enemy fired, the
packets boat was got out in which Mr.. Pa
ca, his Son and servant, the skipper, (Bate-
man) and Strawhan and Coburn (sailors)
win black men (also sailors) abandoned
me vessel and escaped to the shore onlv
one sailor beig left aboard the packet and
ne boy (Miehael Taylor) who behaved
noby.
The officers who boarded, asked if the
Vessel was packet and upon being answer
ed she was they said we need be under no
dDnrehpn 80 he.
vate property should be respected-said
they took us for gun Boat-We were
towed down to the Squadron asd anchored
near the Marlborough -, Rear Admiral
Cockburn-continued there till 10 o'clock
next day, the l7th, during which time, boats
were continually ..assing TO and from the
hdmirafs ship, we were frequently visited
ny the boatS--bctwecn 10 and II O'Clock.
1t wasordercd by the admiral I'VE presume)
mat ihc passengers of the captured vessel
should have the baggage delivered to them,
mat they should have sloOp, Ca small
Gay craft, to carry them to Queenstown,
out the Vessefand cargo they retained as
prlze-got under way at III O'Clock, bid
ding them good by and thev wishing us
GOOD passaBe-poor comfort to John Mere |
mn and Nm. BromzveH who owned the |
whoie ut the Merchandise to a large a
mount, every package of which were ia
Ken we were however very glad we came |
III as well, for we were under some ap- |
prehension that at least some Of us would |
be detained.-Ihey put on board of us sew
eral prisoners, some of whom had been de- |
-aihed month, some not so long. They
treated us politely-Were very communica. |
I've spoke, his hly of our naval officers and |
SAID that cap,ains Jones and Laurence |
ought TO be Admirals.
Arrived at Queens Town about IL o. |
Clock on Sunday evening, the 17th almost
Teady to kiss the ground for Joy that VIC had |
got out OF the enemy's clutches and on land
'nce more, safe and sound.
" From some Of the prisoners nut on
BOARD OF us, we learned that the enemy, had
Turing the time they were detained. de-
'troJed upwards Of 100 Bay Graft, some Of
which was very valuable. Robert Williams.
prisoner, taken in the Lynr, told John
Mer edith that he saw 2 pilots aboard the
Admirals ship, when he got to Baltimore
Culd report them.
JOHN MEREDITH.
WILLIAM CROMWELL.
Iohy ofEhe PGSShou giVen 6y order oEfhe
.4dRirai.
Rear Admiral Cockburn, having given mn
he American sloop Emeline, to the Lady |,
passengers and others captured in the JET
erSon Racket, to convey them to Queen
Town, Chester river, Queen Anne's county. l.
II the Eastern Shore Maryland. am de
ired by the Rear Admiral 10 direct that the