Albany Gazette, 19 Dec 1803, p. 3

Canandaigua, (Genesee) Nov. 30

By a gentleman from Niagara, we have the melancholy intelligence of the loss of the sloop Washington, Capt. Murray. She sailed from Kingston on the 6th inst. heavily laden for Niagara, and had on board several passengers. A severe storm arose after their departure, but no great suspicions were entertained at Kingston as to her safety. A later sailing vessel arrived at Niagara, and not finding the Washington, it was supposed she had made some port; but boats from Oswego informing of the boat, and several articles of the cargo having been found on the shore, known to belong to the Washington, no doubt of the loss existed. It had not been learned at Niagara who all the passengers were; those known are Mess. John Dun, & John Boyd, * merchants of Niagara; the vessel's crew were Capt. Murray, Peter Bouville, and John Neach. We hope our Niagara correspondent will furnish us with a complete list of the unfortunate persons. cargo estimated at 20,000 dollars. Besides this, great losses have been sustained to boats on the lake in the late storms, principally to St. George and Co. of Niagara, and Messrs. Robinson and Martin of Albany.

[None of the property lost belonged to Messrs. Robison and Martin -- goods to a considerable amount had been shipped by them, but they were per order, and at the risque, of their correspondents in the north-western country.]

* Brother to Mr. James Boyd of this city.