By mr. Thomas Dixon, who is just arrived from Bermuda, we learn that he was taken in the Eagle, capt. Johnson, belonging to Baltimore, with 5000 wt. of gunpowder, salt, and dry goods, by the Galatea's tender, one Burns commander, who is a native of Maryland. After remaining on board the tender some time, he was turned over to the Nautilus cruising off Bermuda, where, after remaining the best part of a day, without being offered any kind of sustenance, he was put on shore, to shift for himself. Every thing was taken from the prisoners but the clothes on their backs, and the captain of the Eagle was forced to go mate with William Goodrich 1 (who lately made his escape from Baltimore jail) to New York. While he was on board the Nautilus, he heard the officers mention the certainty of a French and Spanish war; and, while in Bermuda, the common topick of conversation was, that a vessel from France, bound to Philadelphia, had been taken in the straits by an English cruiser, who, in throwing over her dispatches, one of the letters lodged in the chains, which contained assurances from the French court of her having 15,000 troops at the service of America, if they should be wanted, and of 20 sail of the line being on the point of departure for our assistance. ー He also brings an account of the Buckskin privateer, capt. Handy, belonging to Baltimore, being taken and burnt by the Galatea; the captain and people now prisoners on board that frigate.
Deserted from the Hero galley, John Curle, who was enlisted by mr. Henry Stratton, as a marine in Chesterfield county (of which I believe he is a native) and afterwards enlisted with the subscriber as a seaman. He is about 5 feet 7 inches high, and of a dark complexion. I have been informed that he is lurking somewhere in Amelia county. Whoever will apprehend the said deserter, and deliver him to the subscriber at Hampton, or (in case of absence) to the commanding officer at Hampton, shall receive 8 1. reward.
George Mutter.
George Thompson and Samuel Ragland, who had furloughs from me a considerable time ago, to go to Charles City, are desired immediately to return to their duty, otherwise they will be considered as deserters, and treated accordingly.