Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-02-03

press, Picket, Friends and Pioneer. sloo2
sampson.
The Drsgon lies in The channel, of York
Spit, with two brig, one on each side of
her, blocking up tie channel completely.
The Armide and Narcissus frigates are in
Lynhaven bay. (Ledesr.
In our paper Of Tuesday last, we stated,
that flag bad been sent down to the Bri-
tish bockaiiug seu .dron Tor tie purpose Of
obtaining information Of the crew of the
schooner Friends. Mr. MPhail. of this
town, who was particularly interested
in the object OF this errand, was the per.
son deputed to carry the flag; the persons
he sought were all on board the Dragon.
but be could only obtain the release of
the mate-The Commodore said there were
about loo American prisoners in his squad
ron; that he had not the means of making
them comfortable, but was compelled 10
keep them on half allowance of very bad
provisions that he was anxious to get rid
Of them, but that no application had bee
made from our side for their release lie
however, pledged his word of honor that
rather than detain them in that distressed
situation he would give them up at any mo
mens upon bare receipt from a competent
authority When Mr. MPhail returned, he
repeated the assurance TO Gen Taylor,
who, however. we understand, was not
authorised to grant the requisite document
but being extremely anxious to effect the
proposed release of his unfortunate coun.
trymen, he dispatched a cartelto the En-.
glish commander, with captain Myers, his
aid de camp, bearing such proposals as
were in his power To make, and which,
we are happy to state proved entirely suf-
ficient.
The cartel returned on Saturday last with
$50 of the prisoners, the remainder were
detained, as we learn, to be sent to Ber-
muda, in order to condemn prizes. 1t is to
be lamented that better regulations do not
exist fer the relief of our unfortunate fel.
low citizens who fell into the hands of the |
enemy--if their release upon parole can be |
obtained, why not make regular periodi \
cal applications for it ?-We are assured |
that during the last five months, the Che. |
sapeake squadron have captured 30 sail of
our vessels, and in all that time no provi |
sion or even enquiry has ben made on our
part, for the American citizens thus made !
prisoners; and but for mere accident. {
the $50 prisoners now released. might have
anguished on board the enemy's shipping
for many months to C ome.
Herald
Extract Of a letter from a gentleman in
williamsburg, TO his friend ia Rich
mond dated Jan Oh
"This morning we received information.
lere, that during the last evening and night
he enemy's squadron (which before con-
listed of the Dragon, "a, and two briggs, off 4
York river, ard two frigates off Lynnhaven)
vas reinforced by eight or ten vessels of
'arious sizes, which are now off York river
This morning very early ten barges were
cen in York river, in its mouth, going out.
nd it is presumed they had been higher up.
They want wood, water and provisions.
nd say they mean to have them. Our
egiment has this day been ordered to hold
,self in readiness to march at a moments
warming, in case they should land"
A large frigate and two small ships,
supposed to be store ships arrived in
Iynnhaven Bay on Sunday last, and came
O anchor with the squadron
Norfolk Herald, Jan e5.