Whitehaven, (in England) Thursday, June 26.
The brig Crawford, formerly of Glasgow, arrived here this morning with one hundred and ten seamen, besides five women and some children, which had been taken by the Americans from different vessels, all in this channel.
The following authentic account will best explain this disagreeable affair, which our duty to the public obliges us, however, unwilling, to relate:
The Expedition, Braithwaite, sailed from hence on Sunday the 15th inst. bound for Norway; the Wednesday following, being then about two miles from the Mull of Cantire, she fell in with three American privateers, viz. the Reprisal, Commodore Wickes, of 18 guns and 130 men, with eight cohorns in her tops, and a number of swivels; her carriage guns all six pounders, double fortified: The Lexington, Johnson, of 16 guns and ll0 men, with 4 cohorns in her tops, and a great number of swivels; her carriages same weight of metal as the Reprisal's, and fortified in the same manner; and the Dolphin, Nicholson, of 10 guns and 64 men, with a number of swivels and smallarms.
The following is an account of all the vessels taken by the said privateers from the 19th instant to the 23d inclusive.
June 19th. Sloop Merrin of Greenock, Neal Taylor, from Greenock to Suna, ballast, sunk.
19th. Brig Expedition of Whitehaven, William Braithwaite, from Whitehaven to Norway, ballast, sunk.
19th. Ship —, Ribble M'Gomery, ballast, sent to France.
21st. Brig Jenny and Sally, of Glasgow, Wm. Drummond, from Glasgow to Norway, ballast, sent to France.
20th. Sloop Jason, of Whitehaven, Isaac Hutchinson, from Whitehaven to Petersburgh, ballast, sent to France.
20th. Jenny and Peggy, of Irvin, William Howe, from —— to Irvin, ballast, sunk.
20th. Sloop Edward and Ann of Queensferry, Edward Brown, from Koningsburg to Liverpool, wheat, sent to France.
21st. Bark John and Thomas of Whitehaven, John Yowart, from Norway to Dublin, deals, sent to France.
22d. Brig Graystock, of Workington, James Clarke, from Workington to Dublin, coals, sunk.
22d. Brig Richard of Whitehaven, Thomas Ledger, from Whitehaven to Dublin, coals, sunk.
22d. Brig Favourite of Maryport, Caleb Grave, from Maryport to Dublin, coals, sunk.
23d. Ship Grace of Liverpool, John Wardley, from Jamaica to Liver pool, rum, sugar, and tobacco, sent to France.
23d. Brig Peggy of Killabeg, Thomas Atridge, from Corke to Liverpool, butter and hides, sent to France.
23d. Brig Crawford of Greenock, Alexander Alexander, from Greenock to St. Ubes, ballast, given to the masters and crews to bring them to Whitehaven.
Sunk also a small boat off the Mull of Cantire, Thomas MacDugan, master.2
On Tuesday last, Johnson, (by permission of his Commodore, Wickes,) put 110 of the prisoners on board the Crawford, with leave for them to depart, and make the best of their way to any port in England. They were put on board said vessel about one league from Tuscar, but under a promise of reaching Whitehaven, if possible, without putting into any port, or landing any of the passengers. The reason of this caution is obvious; White haven being at the greatest distance, the alarm would be so much longer in reaching the ears of Government, which they could not doubt would immediately take the most hasty steps to prevent any future depredations, especially so near home.