The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-01-09 00:00:00

TRIAL OF AMBRISTER.

Continuation of the Minutes of the Proceedings of a Special
Court, whereof Major-General Gaines is President, con-
vened by Order of the 26th of April, 1816.
Fort St. Marks, 27th April, 1818.
The Court proceeded to the trial of Robert C. Ambrister,
• British subject, who being asked if he lied any objections
to any one of the members of the Cowl, and replying in the
negative, was arraiuged un the following charges and spe-
cifications, viz.
Charges against Robert C. Ambrister, now in custody, who
says he is a British subject.
Charge lat.--Aiding, abetting, and comforting the enemy,
supplying them with the means of war, be being a subject of
Great Britain, at peace with the United States, and lately:us
officer in the British Colonial Marines.
Spect(ration lat.—That the said Robert C. Amhrister did
give intelligence of the movements ■nd operations of the
American army between the Ist and Vold' of March, 1818,
and did excite them (the Negroes and Indians) to war against
the army of the United States, by sending their warriors to
meet and light the American srmy—whose Guyer unit nt was
at pence and friendship with the United States anti all her
citizens.
Charge 2d.—Leading and commanding lbe Lower Creeks
in carrying on a war against the United States.
Xpecifienrion hat.—That the said Rupert C. Ambrister, •
subject of Great Britain, which Government was in peace
and amity with the United States and all her ails's', did,
between the Ist of February and 20th of Mardi, 1818, levy
war against the United Stales, by assuming a command of
the Indians in hostility and open war with the United States,
and ordering a party of them to meet the army of the United
States and give them battle, as will appear by his letters to
Governor Cameron, of New Providence, dated March 20,
1818, which are marked A, B, C, and I), and the testimony
of Mr. Peter B. Cook anti Captain Lewis, of the schuoner
Chalice.
By order of the Court, J. M. GLASSELL, Recorder.
To winch charges and specifications, he pleaded as follows,
via.—
To the first charge and specification—Not Guilty.
To the second t barge and specification—Guilty and justi.
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The Court adjourned, to meet to-morrow morning •t .even
o'clock.

Fort St. Marks, April 21, MS.
The Court met pursuant to adjourement. Present,
Major-General Gaines, President.

Colons! King, Colonel Dyer, Colonel Williams, Lire .
Colonel Lindsay, Lieut.-Cul. Gibbon, Lieut.-Colonel
Major Muhleuherg, ;Major Fanning, Major Montgomery,
Major Minton, Captain Vashoo, Captain Crittenden, Mem-
bers. Lieut. J. M. Glasaell, Recorder.
The Recorder then read to the Court the following order
vie.—
Head-quarters, Division of the South.
Adj.-General's Office, St. Mark, April 28,1818.
GENERAL ORDER.
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Captain Allison,OFtheidtinfantry,is detailed to form a
supernumerary member of the Special Court uuw at
Fort St. blinks.
By order, ROST. BUTLER, Adjutant-General.
Pursuant to the above order, the supernumerary member
took his rent. _ .

John Lewis Phenix, a witness on the part of the prosecu-
lion, being duly sworn, stated, that about the 6th or 6th of •
April, 1818, his vessel mid himself haviog been captured by
the Prisoner, and be brought to Suwany as a Prisoner, there
was on alarm among the Negroes and Indians, created by
lea • g some news from Mickasucky, at which lime the
Prisoner appeared active in sending orders and sending a de-
tachment to meet the American army. The witness also
stated that the Prisoner appeared to be a person vested with
authority among the Negri, leaders, and gave orders fur their
preparation fur war, providing ammunition, Am and that
the leaders came to him for orders. The Prisoner furnished
them with powder and lead, and recommended to them the
milting of hall, &c. very quickly. Tire wuuess also slated
that the Prisoner occasionally dressed in uniform, with his
sword; and that on the Nest alarm, which he understood was
from tiliekasucky by a Negro woman, lie put on the uniform.
The witness further stated, that some time aliuut the 20th
March, 1818, the Prisoner, with an armed body of Negroes
(treaty-funr u, number), came ow board his vessel, sod or-
dered him to pilot then' to Fort St Marks, which, he stated,
he iutendtd to capture before the Ardericans could get there,
threateniug in hang the witness if he did Out obey.
Dy the Court .—Djd you ever undersinod by whose anther.
itty, and for what Flirt:lm, the accused came into the Nun-
try 1-1 have frequently heard him say he clone lu atteud to
Mr. IVuudbiiier business at the bay of Tamper.
By the Prisoner.— Did I nut' tell you when I tame on
bear) the sehounci Clone* I wished you to pilot me toll.
Marks, as 1 was Wormed that two Americans, of the samea
of Humbly Mud Doyle, were confined there, and I wished to
Imre them relievrd from their contiuemeut I—You staled you
wanted to get Handily and Doyle rum St. Marks, I du nut
know what was your iotent ii, .0 10ing-
Dill I lint tell you that I expi,cied the Indians would ire
'puts me ohm 'riming at St.. ;Laiksl—litili did not; yon
stated that yuu iuteuded to take the fort in the night by
sur-
Oribc.
Did yule see me give ammunitioei in the Nerrnee and In-
snails ; arid if so, bow 1111,101, and at what 610,1-1 saw you
Rive powder and lead in the Negroes when you tame on
bos,d, and lowered them to make balls ; and I saw yuu give
hour and paint to the Indians.
11 .tie )(Su out often beard the eay: between the tst and

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