Martinsburgh gazette — Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.], 1810-07-27 00:00:00, page 2

confidence, public spirit, enterprise, cheer*
ful industry, and moral and religious ex
cellence have almost forsaken that unhappy
country.
On these topics, and on many others,
which would illustrate the character and
tendency of the trench domination, might
not conviction be earned to some minds at
least; ard might not many sluggish minds
be awakened, i1 persevering, steady efforts
were made by men, whose characters would
be pledges of their veracity and disinterest
edness/ Suddrn effects might not be pro
duced, and perhaps sudden effects are not
to be desired. VVe do not want a tempo
rary, evenescent ardour, excited for partial
purposes and local objects. We want a ra
tional conviction of their great danger fas
tened on the people, and a steady and gene
rous purpose to resist it by every means,
which providence has put within their pow
er.
Boston, July 18.
Last evening arrived here the brig Rich
mond, capt. Johnson, 42 days from Bris
tol, England ; who politely iavpurcd us
with London papers to the 2d June.
The news from Spain and Portugal is not
so late as we have received direct.— I he
French papers continued full of accounts of
French v ictories over the Spanish “ rebels."
On the 30 h May, a fleet with reinforce
ments for Spain and Portugal, sailed from
Portsmouth.
Napoleon and his Empress were to re
turn to Paris from their northern tour the
30 h May.
An attempt had been made to assassinate
the Duke of Cumberland, (ath son ol the
king) in hi? sleep, by an Italian valet,
named Scillis. 1 he Duke received eight
or ten wounds from a sword : — But wrest
ing it from the assassin, the latter ran into
his chamber, and cut his throat with a ra
zor, which occasioned his immediate death.
'I he papers are filled with particulars of this
horrid transaction.
Burdett remained in the Tower.—Par
liament it was expected would lie prorogued
the 19th June, when he would be liberated.
The papers are silent respecting him.
We find very little mention of American
affairs.— I he Catholic question in the Com
mons had been negatived 21 3 to 109.
T he Duke of Albuquerque had arrived
in London, Minister from the Spanish He
gency.
The British King was at Court the 30th
May, in good health. ihe Piincess A
tnelia was convalescent. Mr. Windham
lay dangerously ill.
'i he put of EUineur had been declared
to be in a state of blockade.
A letter from Paris, dated May 24th,
tiav s—“ A mitigation of the severity of the
decree for the confiscation of American pro
perty, } ou know, is not to be expected.”
St. Domingo—\s our present condi
tion respecting St. Domingo is but little
known, I would ask the attention of our
readers to the conduct of Christophe to
ivards us.
« • • ■ • /■* n % n •
r.v e r since me uiscomrmtre or mcr rencn,
and the final evacuation by the force entrust
ed to the command of Le Clerc, the island
has been torn to pieces by two chiefs. Pt
tion and Christophe ; the former contend
ing lor representative government, as tar
as it was practicable there, and the latter
for absolute power over the public will and
force. A government by representation,
with a president, in imitation of ours, was
contemplated, and Christophe was elected
chief magistrate ; but nothing short of self
dominion would content him, he rejected
the offer, and at the head of his troops as
sumed the ch trader and arrogated the pow
ers of a nrona: ch- Thus resisted?, his op
])o.icr.ts tendered the presidency to Pction,
who finally accepted it. Hence arose, some
six years ago,the hostilities which have ever
since been cariied on between the two
chiefs : the one combating for what may tie
Called regular and legitimate government,
and the otucr for usurpation and uncuntroul
ed sway.
It curiously enough happens that in this
contest the island is pretty equally divided.
Christophe possessing all north of St. Mark,
while Pction maintains the south. 1 heir
land and naval lorces are equal, each hav
ing 15 OCX) troops, and eight ships, mount
ing from sixteen to twenty-six guns, of 24’s
and 32’s. Several desperate, but indecis
ive naval latdes have been fought, and their
vencounttrs by land have not been less e
quivocal in their issue.
In order t >obtain a naval ascendency o
ver his antagonist, and to overwhelm him
with a superior force, Christophe dispatch
ed to Baltimore a Frenchman of the name
of Beurnclle, with directions to contract for
the building of two small frigates.—These,
when neailv completed, were attached b\
some merchants of Baltimore, on whose
property Christophe had committed spolia
lion. Thus frustrated, Beurnclle return
ed to the usurper, who in consequence cl
the detention of his armed ships, has le
lot.^e his pich^rooua upon our commerce
as well as the commerce of Spain, fifteen
or sixteen of whose vessels he has captured
In the depredations which are thus commit
ted upon our trade, Christophe follows the
examples of Napoleon. Having seized our
vessels and cargoes, he imprisons or forces
our sailors into his service, strips and la
cerates them, and resorts to every violence
which a ferocious tr rant can inventor in
flitt Two of our frigates would overawe
the savage, and command respect for our
remaining commerce with the American
isles. W hy not thus employ them ? 'I his
rising Algiers in our neighboihood should
be repressed and punished.
Beurnclie who married a black woman at
the Cape, and whose wile is now in Phila
delphia, has the confidence and is a fit agent
ol Christophe. He is a man of abandoned
character, with much of cunning, intrigue
and activity.
1 he character of Petion and Christophe
form a perfect contrast. Petiojj is just, ge
nerous, and humane ; Christophe is rapa
cious and crutl. Petion duly respects neu
tral fl igs, is friendly to commerce, and
gives it every aid—Christophe is a pirate,
anil as such should be treated. The depre
dations which the latter has committed bp
on our commerce, in consequence of the
detention at Baltimore of the two armed
vessels were commenced about four weeks
ago. These will probably be continued by
the usurper, who has obtained the acces
sion to his naval force of a frigate, which
was recently sent to the Cape by an English
merchant upon speculation, which it is con
cluded Christ >phe has purchased. 1 his,
it is feared, will give him a superiorly o
ver Petion, and, it unresisted and unpun
ished b\ us, enable him to continue his ra
vages on our commerce in the passages from
the Mole.—.N. Y. Airier. Cit.
According to the Aberdeen Journal, ihe
executors of a gentleman, recently deceas
ed, are by his vvill empowered to offer a
sum of not less lhan twelve hundred pounds
tor the best treatise on “ I he Evidence
that there is a being all powerful, wise and
good, by whom every thing exists ; and
particularly, to obviate difficulties regard
ing the wisdom and goodness of the Deity;
and this, in the first place, from conside
rations independent'of written Revelation;
and in the second place, from the llevela
tion of the Lord Jesus; and from the
whole, to point out the inferences most ne
cessary fur, and useful to mankind.” ’I he
Ministers of the Established Church of
Aberdeen, the Principals and Professors
of King’s and Parischal Colleges of Aber
deen, and the Trustees of the Testator,
are appointed to nominate anti make choice
of three Judges, who are to decide, after
the first day < f January, 1814, upon the
comparative excellencies of such treatises
as shall be laid before them. There is al.
so left, by the same Testator, a further
sum not exceeding four hundred pounds,
lor a treatise on the same subjects, which
shall be thought, pursuant to the same de
cision, next in merit to the first premium
treatise. What an honor is this legacy to
the land in which we live.
[ Edinburg paper.
NATCHt.Z, ( VI. T.) June 13.
We learn by a genileman from Attaca
pas (Oilcans Tcrritorv) that in passing
through the parish of Iberville, he found
encamped on the banks of the Mississippi,
on the American side, a great number of
French families, who had been driven from
W est Florida, by order of the Spanish go
vernment. It appears that three days on
ly were allowed these unfortunate people
to dispose of their property and leave the
dominions of his Catholic majesty. Our
informant adds, that it was seriously spo
ken of by the refugees to return after they
had found a home lor their families, and en
deavor to overturn the government of West
Florida. We doubt not the goed will of
these people to mrke the attempt ; but we
have too much confidence in the foresight
und energy of the acting governor of the
Orltans territory, to suppose for a moment,
that ht- will suffer an unlawful enteiprize to
be undertaken within the jurisdiction of his
government.
WASHINGTON CITY, July 18.
We are informed that the sloop of war
the Hornet will sail from New-Yotk be
tween the 125th and the last of this month
for France and England.
Th: Secretary of the Treasury left the
citv \esterday on a visit to the state of New.
York.
1 be Secretary of War also left this city
yesterday for the Northward.
A law for the suppression of Duelling has
passed in the Illinois territory, founded on
the Virginia rode. The punishment of the
surviving dutllist (if his antagonist die
within three months) the aidets abettors
and counsellors thereof, to suffer death bj
hanging. 1 he challenger, or person ac
, Ccptmg a chiillcr.ger is declared incapable
w
ever of holding or being elected to any of
fice of profit or trust, civil or military,
within the territory. Persons when enter
ing upon the duties of ( fficc, are to swear
or affirm, that they have never been eng<g
cd in a duel, either directly or indirectly,
in any wise whatever.
Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Al
bany ^ to his friend in Aciv-Vorkt dated
14’/t inst.
“ A most disgraceful scene took place
here last evening. About 11 o’clock I was
alarmed by the cry of fire—after getting up
l found that it was occasioned by an tlfigy
of Mr. Jackson, the British minister, being
burnt before the door of Mi. Gregory’s ta
vern, where Mr. Jackson put up. One or
two of the rioters were taken and carried to
jail, I am sorry to find that Mr. Gregory
got considerably hurt in the afTray—he was
knocked down bv one of the scoundrels —
l he thing will undergo an examination to
day. It is really a disgrace to our city.”
Extract from the orders of Gen. Hampton,
dated Head Quarters, Kicxvillc, June
Hth, 1810.
1 he extension of the command of briga
dier general Hampton, bv the formation of
the southern and western districts of the ar
my into one department, and the militarv
duties which demand his attention in the
state of Tennessee, and on the Atlantic
coast, will necessarily pn long his absence
from the army of the Mississippi for some
months.
In the mean time the commanding officer
at the cantonment, Washingtr n, M. 1 —
those commanding at the difF'-rent posts
within the Orleans and Mississippi territo
ries, and those within the state ot Tennes
see, South Carolina and Georgia, will, un
til the month of August, inclusive, unless
othersvise directed, address their commit
nications and returns to Columbia, S. C.
at which place the general’s head quarters,
will be, for a time, established.
But after the period he has mentioned,
all official communications are to be ad
dressed to his former quarters with the ar
my at Washington, M.T. From this ar
rangement the post at Fort Adams and that
at Fort Claib orne are excepted, and their
respective commanding officers instructed
to make their communications and returns
through col. Cushing, or the officer com
manding at the cantonment, Washington,
M. T. and through whom they will receive
such orders and instructions as may be
thought necessary.
From the National Intelligencer.
We arc informed that on the 24th June,
1810, the United States bi ig Vixen, Lieut.
1 rippe, cam ing fourteen guns, on her way
to N. Oilcans, under orders from our go
vernment, near the Bahamas, was, in a
wanton and unprovoked manner, fired into
by the British sloop rf war the Moselle,
capt. Boyce, rating 20 guns, 32 pounders ;
a 32 pound shot carried away the main
boom of the Vixen within a short distance
of col. Poindexter, a member of Con
gress, who, with his family, had taken pas
sage on board on his return from Congress ; 1
and a splinter from the boom wounded
slightly Mr. Rodney, son of the attorney
general of the United States, who likewise
was on his way to N. Orleans.
The subjoined extract of a letter from a
gentleman of great respectability on board
the Yixen to his friend in this city, will
give a detail of circumstances ; and on the
conduct of Lieut. Trippe we will forbear
to make a comment, because in our war
with Tripoli, this officer signalized him
self ; but more especially as we are inform
ed that he has been ordered by the secre
tary of the navy to repair immediately to
Washington, for the purpose of an enquiry
into his conduct, in not returning the fire
of the Most lie.
“ On the 24th inst. (June) an occurrence
took place, which was equally unpleasant
and unexpected. i he character of the af
fair, however, corresponds with the treat
ment which we have so often received
from the British naval commanders on
former occasions. \ he Moselle, a 20 gun
brig, carrying 32 pounders, was ly ing at
anchor under the Stirrup Ray, near the Ba
hama Bank. The Vixen approached her
under full sail, with her pendant and ensign
hoisted. The commander of the Mostlle
hoisted French colors, and exhibited seve
ral private signals. Capt. Trippe perceiv
ing a boat which he supposed wished to
speak his vessel, hauled up and received
the officer, who requested him to go down
to the British vessel. With this request
capt. '1 rippe declined a compliance, fur
nishing the officer at the same time with
the name of the vessel, and her destina
tion. Capt. Boyce, who commands the
Moselle, fired a shot at us as we passed,
which capt. Trippe considered as an inti
mation that he wished to speak with us.
Several musket balls were fired from the
boat into the vessel; and at the very mo
ment the British officer was politely receiv
1 ed on board the Vixen, and before he had
talcen a memorandum of the reply, which
was given by capt. I lippe to ttie message
which was delivered—capt. Boyce fired 4
round shot, which came over the quarter
deck, and penetrated the main boom ol the
Vixen. Captain Trippe immediately di*.
charged the British officer,, and prepared
for action. '1 he English brig slipped her
cable, and got under way, menacing an at
tack on our vessel. So soon as she ap
pioached within a proper distance, captain
Frippe dispatched a boat, with his first
lieutenant, to demand of the British offi.
cer an explanation of his conduct ; w ho
sent his lieutenant on board the Vixen,
with various apologies, which were not
understood in a satisfactory manner; and
captain 'Frippe addressed a note to captain
Boyce, requiring a written statement of
the reasons which had induced him to fire
two shot at his vessel. Capt. Bo) ce re
turned for answer, that he recognized with
pleasure, the existing amity between the
two countries, and was extremely sorry
tor having fired at us—that the reasons
wnicn induced nun iu me were, mat ne
could not distinguish our colors, and saw
no preparation lor taking in sail — that he
had been informed that two French priva
teers were fitting out in the U. St .tcs, and
supposed we might probably be one of
them. He also pledged his honor, that
his shot was not aimed at our vessel. The
explanation was deemed bv capt. I rippe
sufficient to prevent an\ further conflict;
and we instantly made sad, and proceeded
on our course. I he injury which we sus
tained was trifling. Mr. Rodney’s son
was struck by a splinter from the boom,
which occasioned his mouth to bleed 4
short time—no other person was touched.
“ Ihe conduct of c<>pt. 1 rippe in this
affair was highly honorable to himself, to
the American navy, and to his country.
The Vixen was prepared for action with
the greatest promptitude and order, and
the explanation demanded in a manner
which left no doubt as to his determination
to vindicate the honor of the national fl.>g,
or pet ish in the attempt. I he official as
surances of captain Boyce could not be
questioned in an official foim, but 1 feel
the most perfect conviction that he knew
the Vixen to be an American man of war—
that he firtd the second shot directly at the
vtssel, with a view ot provoking a return
of the fire, and thereby furnish him with
an excuse for going into action with a ves
sel of interior metal, and then shifting the
responsibility from himself, by declaring
that his shot was fired through mistake, and
without any intention of injuring the ves
sel. I was on deck and saw the gun on
the forecastle < f the Moselle levelled di
rectly at the Vixen, and was not more than
three feet from the place where the shot
struck the boom. 'Ihe insolence of this
transaction is not more rematkuble than
the meanness displayed by the British
commander, in forging excuses for his
conduct.”
For the following interesting document the
pul l c are indibted to Mr. Elliot, late a
member of the House of Representatives.
From the Freeman’s Journal.
On the 6th of December, 1805, the fol
lowing confidential message was received
from the president :
11 The dt predations which had been com*
mitted on the commerce of the U. States
during the precedirg war, by persons un
der the authority ot Spain, are sufficiently
known to all. '1 htse made it a duty to re
quire from that government indemnifica
tion for our injured citizens. A conven
tion was accordingly entered into between
the minister of the U. States at Madrid,
and the minister of that government for
foreign affairs, by which it was agreed
that spoliations committed by Spanish sub
jects, and carried into ports of Spain,
should be paid for by that nation, and that
those committed bv French subjects, and
carried into Spanish ports, should remain
for lurthcr discussion. Before this con
vention was returned to Spain with our ra
tification, the transfer of Louisiana by
France to the U- States took place ; an e«
vent as unexpected as disagreeable to Spain.
From that moment she seemed to change
her conduct and disposition towards us.
It was first manifested by her protest a
gainst the right of France to alienate Lou
isiana to us, which, however, was soon
retracted and the right confirmed. 'I hen
high offence was manifested at the act of
congress establishing a collection district
on the Mobile, although by an authentic
declaration immediately made, it was ex
pressly confined to our acknowledged lim
its ; and she now relused to ratify the con
vention signed by her own minister, under
the eye o! his sovereign, unless we would
consent to alterations of its terms, which
would have effected our claims against her,
fur spoliations by French subjects carried
into Spanish ports. y
“ 1 o obtain justice, as well as to res
tore friendship, I thought a special mis
sion advisable, and accordingly appointed
James Monroe minister extraordinary and