Star.
London, England, 1807-08-15 00:00:00

AMERICA

NORFOLK, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 6, iBcy.
The agitation which our town was thrown into by
the recent occurreace, had in force degree begun to
fubfide, and cur citizens were waiting in calm expec-
tation for the meafures which our Government might
adopt, when n Friday a movement of Britifh fhips
again excited it. On the afternoon of that day, the
Bellona, Triumph, Leopard, and blelampus came
up from Lynhaven Bay, and anchored in Hampton
Roads, in fuch a manner as evidently proved that
they deigned fomething ferious. Ott Saturday a pilot
boat came up to town, the Mailer of which reported
that he had been brought to by the Bellcna (the
Cornmod ,re's fhip). and charged with the following
letter from Commodore DOUGLAS, to the MAYOR of
this place :

" His Majefty's sip Beßona, Hampton Roods,
Sot, July 3, 1807.
I beg leave to reprefent to yoo,tbat having °braved in the Newf-
papers a refolution, made by a Committee on the soth nit. pro-
hibiting any communication between his Britannic Majefty's Can-
tu! at Norfolk, and his ships lying at anchor in Lynbavcn Bay, and
this being a meafure extremely hoftile, not only in depriving the
Britifh Conful from difeharging the duties of his office, but at the
fame time preventing me from obtaining that information fo aster
lutely tweeffary for his Majefty's ferviee, I am therefore deter-
mined, if this infringement is trot immediately annulled, to pro-
hibit every veffel bound either in or out of Norfolk, to proceed to
their deftination, until I know the pleafure of my Government,
or the Commander in Chief on this Ration.
" You muft he perfectly aware, that the Britt& flag never has,
nor will be intuited with impunity. You mutt silo be aware, that
it has been, and is Rill in my power, to obftrudt the whole trade
of the Chefapeak, fince the late eircomftanee, which I defifted
from, wetting that general unanimity would be reftored
Iteb
peeling t:se eircumftance of the deferters, lately apprehended from
the United States frigate Chetapeak, that, in my opinion, mutt be
decided between the two Governments alone. It therefore retts
with the inhabitatiti of Norfolk either to engage in war or remain
on terms of peace.
" Agreeably to my intentions, I have proceeded to Hampton
Roads with the fqaadron under my command, to await your au-
fwer, which I mit you will favour me with without delay.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your obedir.nt hunthie fervant.
J. E. DOUGLAS."
" To Richard Lee, Efq. Mayor of Norfolk, Virginia."
" P. S I inclofe you two letters, dire Red to the Britilh Conful
at Norfolk, which you will be pleated to forward J. hi J
. E. D."

The Mayor convened the Recorder and Aldermen,
when the following anfwer was agreed on, and or•
dered to be fent
SIR, " Norfolk, July 4, xBO7.
" 1 have received your menacing letter ye lterday The day on
which this anfwer is whiten. ought of itklf to prove iodic fubjeds
of your S ivereign, that the American people are not to be inti•
initiated by menace, or induced to adopt any nicafures, except by
a fenfe of their perfedt propriety. Seduced by the talk Chew of
fecurity, they may be foructimes furprifed and flaughtered, while
unprepared to red a fuppoftd friend—that delutive fecurity is now
however, paled for ever. The late occurrence has taught us to
cuoftde our Cofer no longer to any thing but our own force. We
do not feek hoftility, nor Beall we avoid it. We are prepared for
theworft you may attempt. and will do whatever (hall be judged
proper ttrecpel fume, wheofoever your efforts (hall renekt any ad
of ours neceffary Thus much for the threats of your letter, which
can be eordidered in no other light than as addrtffed to the fuppo-
fed fears of our citizens.
" In anfwer to any part of it, which is particularly addreffed to
me, as the first Judicial Offic,r of this Borough, I have but to fay
that you mutt be aware that the Judiciary of no country poffeffes
any other powers than thole conferred upon it by the law.
" The faire channel through which you have derived the intelli-
gence (latest by yourfelf mull have alto announced to you, that the
sit of which you complain is an ad of individuals and not of the
Government. If this ad be wrong and illegal. the Judiciary of
this country whenever the cafe is properly brought before it, will
take care to do Its duty. At prefcnt it bath no judicial informa.
dun of any cottage at the laws, and therefore will not ad.
" If you, 14, pkafe toconftder thb adt of individuals as a rota-
furg—s vermeil hdtile—an.l thall commence hottility without
wafting the &calm of oar twit Governments, although you your-
felf acknowledgt that it pr peril bebop to tistm alone to decide,
the halm hoots of Norfolk willeonforts to your example, and pro-
tea thsmfelves agtinft a' y lavidefs aural to which may be made
upon oTir p eons or property ; they therefore leave it with you,
either to enrage in a war or to remain on terms of peace until the
*afore of our raps dive Csovernmeuts he Intesons.
Your letters, 'keeled to the Bridal Confai of this place, have
been forwarded to him.
I have honour to be. Sir,
" Your —oft obedient &mot,
RI 'HARD B. 1./(E, Mayor."
To Jo his V. Dongl,ll, Ffq Commanding hiy Brigaspoic
Msjefty's Mips In Hampton Roads.'