| Letters
from Newfoundland, of the 21st ult. contain accounts of Admiral Campbell being
at St. John's, in the Salisbury, of 50 guns; the other ships of the squadron were
on separate stations on the banks, to see that the French and Americans keep within
the limits of their fishery, and that no disturbance is given to the English.
The French had near 200 sail of vessels employed in the fishery at the beginning
of the month; the number of Americans, who frequent chiefly the French settlement,
was not known, but supposed to be about as many more. From the 16th of June to
the 10th of July, 18 British vessels had sailed from the coast to the Mediterranean
markets, where it was supposed they would arrive before any of their rivals, and
thereby procure good markes for their fish, which were very fine. Several French
familes had arrived at the islands of St Pierre and Miquelon, where it was expected
they would winter, as they had brought out household goods of every kind, and
materials for erecting dwellings : the French, however, are restricted by the
late treaty of Versailles from building any tenable fort at either place. |
| From the London Gazette
Admiralty-
Office, October 20
Copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral Gambier, commander in
chief of his majesty's ships and vessels at Newfoundland, to Sir Evan Nepean,
Bart, dated on board the ffis, at St John's, Aug 20, 1803. Sir, I
Send herewith an extract of a letter from Captain Malbon, of his Majesty's ship
Aurora, giving an account of his having taken possession of the Islands of St
Pierre and Miquelon, which you will be please to lay before the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty.
I have the honor to be, &c.
J. Gambier Exctract
of a letter from Captain Malbon, commanding his Majesty's ship Aurora, to Vice-Admiral
GAMBIER, Commander in Chief at Newfoundland, & c. On the 30th of June,
about four o'clock in the morning, I made the islands of Peters; and at five sent
the large cutter and launch, manned and armed with a twelve pound carronade, under
the command of Lieut. Richard Longfield Davies and Lieut. Baillie of the marines,
to oblige the town to surrender, of begin the attack; between six and seven o'clock
they entered the harbour, under a very thick fog, and perceiving a boat crossing
from on side to the other, brought her to, in which they found the Commissary,
who acted as Governor. The conclusion that the place was thrown into from the
sudden attack prevented the inhabitants from assembling together, and at half
past seven the Commissary surrendered the island, by delivering the colours to
Lieut. Davies. From what has been since learned there is no doubt that, if the
inhabitants could have had time to have collected themselves from their different
situations, they would have made a strong resistance, having since discovered
upwards of one hundred stand of arms among them. Knowing the small force in the
boats, I used my utmost efforts to get his Majesty's ship into the harbour, but
was as frequently prevented by thick fog. About eleven, it being somewhat clear,
I entered under a very heavy press of sail between the rocks, which were not a
cable's lenght across, and at two P.M. brought to with the best bower in 15 fathoms
water. Found here a French merchant brig (La Reines des Anges) and a schooner
(Le Provoyier), with 11 small schooners, and upwards of 100 battoes.The island
contained fish, stores, salt, and merchandize of various descriptions, and upon
a rough survey, about 220 men were upon the island and in the boats; but they
being so detached several got away in small craft, one of which I have since been
informed was taken off Lieverpool in Nova Scotia and another at St Lawrence, in
Newfoundland.
On every thing being secured, I oredered one of the fishing
schooners to be fitted a tender and having her manned and armed with a twelve
pound carronade, gave the command to Lieut. Davies, with direction to scour the
coast, and take possession of the islands of Great and Little Miquelon, which
he did, but no inhabitants or stores were found at either of those places.
J. Gambier |
