The Case of PHILIP CALLBECK, late Commander-in-chief of the Island of ST. JOHN'S, and THOMAS WRIGHT, one of the Council, Justice of the Peace, and Surveyor-General of said Island, addressed to General WASHINGTON.

That on Friday, the 17th November, two privateers arrived at Charlottetown, the capital of said Island; and immediately after, Captains Broughton and Selman, who commanded said vessels, landed with two parties under their command. That Mr. Callbeck met Selman on his landing, who, notwithstanding a very civil reception, instantly ordered him on board one of the vessels, without permitting him to return to his house, though requested so to do; and, as he was going on board, one of the party insolently, without any provocation, struck him.

That as soon as Mr. Callbeck was conveyed on board, he received a message from Selman to send the keys of his house, stores, &c., otherwise be would break the doors open. On receipt of the message, Mr. Callbeck sent the keys with one of his clerks, (who was detained a prisoner,) that he might attend and open the doors of such places as should be required to be inspected into. Upon the clerk's informing Selman of Mr. Callbeck's directions, he told him he did not want his assistance, and desired him to deliver the keys, which he accordingly did.

That Broughton and Selman, with their party, immediately proceeded to a store in which there was a very large and valuable assortment of goods, all of which, except some very insignificant articles, they sent on board Selman's vessel. After which, although they had the keys of the doors, they broke open two other stores, out of which they took the most valuable articles, together with the entire stock of provisions that Mr. Callbeck had provided for his family's Winter support and the inhabitants immediately about him. That they next went into Mr. Callbeck's dwelling-house, where they examined all his private papers, broke the bedchambers, closets, and cellar doors open. In Mrs. Callbeck's bed-room they broke open her drawers and trunks, scattered her clothes about, read her letters from her mother and sisters, took the bed and window curtains, bed and bedding, Mrs. Callbeck's rings, bracelets, and trinkets, also some of her clothes. They then took the parlour window curtains, looking-glasses, carpets, and several articles of plate and household furniture, &c., &c.; also, all the porter, rum, Geneva, and wine, (except one cask, which they stove the head into and drank the whole out.) At the same time they plundered the whole of Mrs. Callbeck's little stores of vinegar, oil, candles, fruit, sweetmeats, bacon, hams, &c. Not yet satiated with wanton depredations, they next went to Mr. Callbeck's office, from which they took some of his clothes, &c., the Province silver seal, Governour Patterson's commission, two trunks full of goods, his clerk's desk and wearing apparel; opened Mr. Callbeck's bureau and desks, read all his papers, some of which were of great importance in his private connections.

That after they had ravaged Mr. Callbeck's house and out-houses, they broke into Governour Patterson's house, (in which no person resided,) out of which they took the window curtains, carpets, looking-glasses, cases of knives and forks, silver spoons, table linen, sheets, bedding, his wearing apparel, and the church furniture, which was deposited in his house, &c., &c., broke a quantity of his china, and drank what liquors were in the house.

That after they had accomplished thus far of their cruelty, they made Mr. Wright a prisoner, and, with insulting language, laughed at the tears of his wife and sister, who were in the greatest agony of distress at so cruel a separation from their husband and brother.

That after Mr. Wright came on board where Mr. Callbeck was confined, they represented the treatment they had received, and the confidence they had that Broughton and Selman had no orders to commit such outrages, they, for the purpose of justifying themselves, read their orders, by which it appeared they were no way directed to go to the Island, and that they were particularly cautioned not to abuse private property; upon which Mr. Callbeck and Wright laboured all in their power to convince them of their not having, in any respect, conformed to their instructions or orders. They urged the cruelty of taking them away, and, though it was probable they would be immediately dismissed, yet it would be almost impossible for them to get back to the Island before the Winter set in, the season being so far advanced. Notwithstanding the reiteration of every argument that could be offered, they were deaf to every feeling or sensation, and determined to take away Mr. Callbeck with his effects, and Mr. Wright.

That Mr. Callbeck supposes they have in their custody, of his property, to the amount of two thousand pounds sterling. To exaggerate the cruel treatment he has received, is impossible; and it is equally so even to give an exact detail of the injuries that have been offered to him and his property. All his papers read, some of which were of a very private nature. Although they had all his keys, his doors broken open; his effects, and the provision and necessaries he had provided for his family's support, taken away and wantonly destroyed; his wife left destitute of every support; not so much as a candle to burn. Also, between seventy and eighty people, who were lately arrived on the Island, and depended on him for their support during the Winter, are left without any sort of provisions, some of whom, if not all, will inevitably perish for want, which would have been prevented had Mr. Callbeck been permitted to stay; of this both Broughton and Selman were informed by him, as well as other persons. Not to add the further disadvantages that Mr. Callbeck suffers by being taken away, he is debarred from assisting Mrs. Callbeck in her distressed situation, and taking the necessary care of what remains of a shattered fortune. What has been left of his property on the Island, is in the hands of servants, who doubtless will be neglectful, and, perhaps, avail themselves, under the depredations that have been committed on his property, by alleging several of his effects, which they will choose to plunder, were taken away by Broughton and Selman, and party. They, by their conduct, have left Mrs. Callbeck open to these apprehensions; for, although it was urged and requested by his clerks, that an inventory should be taken of the effects they took away, they would not permit it, nor would they suffer the clerks to stand by while they were sending the things away, which were sent in the utmost disorder.

To make it still more doubtful, and to give the inhabitants an opportunity to plunder, Broughton and Selman, after they made a prisoner of Mr. Wright, suffered some of their people to remain on shore, (without an officer,) who broke the doors and windows of Governour Patterson's and Mr. Callbeck's houses, and a second time lawlessly entered and took out what they pleased, and finished what liquors had been left in both houses.

That during their voyage some articles of plate, and other of Mr. Callbeck's property, were found hidden, and in the custody of the common people. So that, even upon a supposition that Mr. Callbeck will be ordered his property, he will doubtless be a very considerable loser.

That Mr. Callbeck and Wright, wantonly torn from their families, have been brought, in a state of captivity, upwards of six hundred miles, by sea, to this Province. During their passage they have suffered many inconveniences, and since their landing they have travelled one hundred and twenty miles.

That Mr. Callbeck and Wright have taken the liberty to trouble, &c., &c., and so concludes.

COLONEL HOWE TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Norfolk, December 25, 1775.

Yesterday, by a flag of truce, I received a letter from Captain Bellew, a copy of which I have the honour to transmit you, with a copy of those I have written to him. Though Colonel Woodford and myself were sensible it was our duty to withhold from him, as much as in our power lay, those supplies he wishes to obtain, yet the moderate conduct he has pursued, and the sentiments of humanity by which he seems to be actuated, induced us to delay an answer till to-day, and to couch it in terms which cannot but show him, that occasion, not inclination, had influence upon our conduct. Captain Bellew's letter was brought us by one of his Lieutenants; he expressed for himself and every officer on board, the reluctance they should feel, if compelled by necessity, they should be obliged, by marauding parties, to snatch from the indigent farmers of this