The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-08

ton. The next, was letter of marque ship
called the Elizabeth, from the Straits. She
mounted sixteen guns, and when VIC took
her she had q compliment of sixty men
We had taken sut all her men but sixteen,
when two ships bore down before we had
time TO take out any more, and Capt. Hin
man told the prize master, Mr.. Ebberns,
and myself, in case they should prove arm
ed ships, to make the best of our for Boston.
1t was almost dark, and we lay under the
lee of our ship, when the beadmost vessel
gave broadside, and had a return. We
then started for Boston, and next morning
the man at the mast head could not see Ell
ther Of them. The wind blowing heavy
from N. N. w., n large ship passed US, but
we shew no colors, neither did the ship.
Nothing happened until the third day, when,
at sunrise, We saw a large ship under our
lee; her masts appeared far apart, and she
seemed 10 sail fast. An hour nfier, we saw
she was an armed ship, and were sensible
il was no, our ship. We were under close
reefed topsails, and we quickly out reefs and
carried all the sail we could pack. About
8 A. nj. we concluded she was an enemy,
and agreed 10 have large stew-pie for all
hands, us we had plenty Of fowls on board.
We soon had the pie under way, but before
It was ready, she hoisted English colors,
and gave us a shot-and repeated the same
several times, but she was too farto leewnrd
About one o'clock =. NJ. she neared us so
much that her shot went long distance
over vs.. She hove in stays and missed, u
very heavy sea going, which was in our IA
vor, MS we had more time 10 dine in. We
soon set down and eat very hearty, and
had just time to clear away, when she got
near and hailed us, and ordered us to lay
our maintepssil 10 the mast, aud haul our
colors down. We complied, and their barge
was soon along side, aud we were soon on
on board n new ship. She was called the
New Mercury, Of thirty-six guns, Isaac
Prescott, Esq, commander He was broth
er to Gen. Prescott. AS soon as we were
well on board, Capt. Prescott began to ex-
anime us. lie appeared much yexed, ow-
ing partly TO our not hauling down our col
ors until they had fred over fifty shot at us,
and he told me his determination was, if we
had fired one shot into his ship, TO have
sunk US, and not TO have saved man Of us.
was very plain with him, and told him if
he had sunk us, his nation would not have
gained any thing by that, for we had nbou,
fifteen of their men to thirteen Of our own
being our prisoners. He examined sew
eral Of our men, to know how they dared
10 fight agains, his Majesty, and they made
various excuses. Some snid they were o.
bliged to go; others that they had no other
business to do, and most of our men told
the same story. These men he placed i'm
mediaiely on duty aboard his ship. Then
he turned to me and commenced nn exam
ins,ion. Before answered, | asked him
if he meant should tell the truth, and his
answer was "yes, young man, ! expect you
will tell me the truth" His first question to
me WAS, "How long have you been fighting
sgsnst the King"7 said, if possible, sir,
before the war commenced. Well young
man, said Capt. Prescott, suppose l was
to come along side Of French frigate,
would you not assist in 6ghting her." No,
sir, | answered, for the French are our good
allies, and gratitude would obIige me to as
sis, the French, the same us would the A.
mericans l was asked other questions,
when he left me, and examined two other
officers, and they gave him similar answers.
Capt. Prescott 60, very angry, and then
called before him the British Prisoners, we
had taken, one Of whom was Doctor, an.
other a prize master, whom he addressed,
tr5ning to rs three American officers,
4" How have these fellows treated you while
prisoners I" The Doctor replied, I'VE were
treated WELL" Capt Prescott, turned to us
and said, "very well, for you young men,"
] could not help answering Capt. Prescott,
and said, Sir, since the war commenced I
have been at the taking Of several hundred
prisoners, sad if they behaved we'll 1 always
treated them well, if otherwise I treated
them accordingly. A, this time expected
nothing less than to have been put in irons.
There was but little more said, and Capt.
Prescott then vent into his cabin. Near
sunset, he came up on the quarter deck and
ordered one of bis officers to have one Of
the Midsbipmen's apartments cleared for
three Of us, and soon after we took posses