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Since my last a very extraordinary affair has happened here. A small Brig, the master' s name Page, from Rhode-Island or Boston, was loading with Cordage, Jun˙, Powder, Guns, &c˙, of which the Ministry having got intelligence, a small Cutter of six three-pounders, and thirty hands, was despatched from Dover with orders to come directly here, and when the Brig sailed to sail with her, and while at sea to board her and carry her to England. The Cutter arrived here the 23d or 24th of last month; the Brig had a full load, and was ready to sail at that time, but the Cutter' s Officers coming ashore, by good fortune, came to the house where I lodged, and in a few hours I discovered their business.
As this was the only vessel then in Port of that kind, I was at no loss, and called that night on Mr˙ H—n, to acquaint him with my suspicions, which he could not believe; but he has had sufficient proof since, for they lay looking at each other from that time to the 8th instant. When the Brig made sail, the Cutter got under way, which the Brig observing, she came to, and landed the cargo. There is certain advice that the Cutter' s people went down to the Texel and got all the Brig' s papers from the Custom
Letter from a Gentleman at Amsterdam, to a friend in Philadelphia
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House there, and also at this City. A Brig has since arrived from New-York, but the Merchants will not ship Goods in any English vessel, as there are several Cutters cruizing off Dover, to search all English vessels that pass through the channel, for Arms, &c˙, &c.