Jenks's Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland [Me.]) 1799-1802, 1802-03-29

Chriaophe, who commanded the town to oliver
TO him the proclamationS Of the Frf Couniul,
and 70 know if he ihould make any oppolaiou
The ahlwer Of Chriltophe was, thar he was
tut iuboi dinate officer, and that he could NOT
permit the ih;ps to enter without the orders of
the Governor. This determination and the
preparation making for oppoii'ion, created a
a general alarm. Mr.. Lear went round 10 the
Americans and advifed them to get themlelves
aud their mott valuable effects on board the yei.
les in the harbour without delay AT mid
night the mayor and municipality waited upon
him, with requea that he would attend de
putation of their body on board the feet, TO en-
deavor to make fcme accommodation that
would fave the town. He readily conlented,
from motives Of humanity, and from WIFI 10
know their diipoiition towards the Americans
They embarked about o'clock, and AT the fame
time Mr.. Lear, gave orders to the American
vefiels in the road TO move over TO the oppo'
iiite hde OF the harbor, that they might be as
far as pollible from the town. The fhips hav-
ing food off in the night, the dePutation did
not GET on board the Admiral till one O'Clock
of the thrd init where the deputation were re.
ceived by Cen Leclerc in very ieyere man.
next day at all events, and without any other
terms than thote offered in the proclamation
(pubElhed laR week.. Alter they had been
difmiRed, Mr. Lear was Introduced to the gen.
eral, and told him his double view in coming.
He 4aid as to the hra, his determination had
bad been delivered TO the deputation, and as
10 the fecond, that the Americans might expect
every protection he could give hem-Mr Lear
returned with the deputation, and they reach
ed the town about funirt, when they went 70
General ChrRophe, and Informed him of the
idue Of their milton, He declared he would
not yield point on his part.--Mr. Lear then
afked BIN what the Americans had to dep-ud
upon He f4id be would give pernidion in he
morning for them to 60 on board their Yefels.
Mr.. Lear retired to his houle, and put ur hi
mott valuable papers and few clothes, to take
on board the American veaeis with him in the
morning. The town was filled with troops
and other blacks from the county during the
night. In the morning at day light, Mr..
Lear wert to Chrigophe's for he order for
the Aneric ns to embark, and al,o detired that
all the womeA and children and other whites
might be permitted to 20 on board The AmeIi-
can Vefels, which would be ready to receive
them. He was mounting bis horie, and told
him he would ride 70 the water and give or
derS 70 the gaurd to permit the Americans on
ly TO 90 on board the vedels. Mr. Lear en-
treated for the others, but IN vain.-Mr. Lear
mace iuch difpoG,ion as to get off with num,
Der of women and children who were r4asrs,
and fuch Americans as appeared; all but 4
or having gone on board.
The wind was high all day. and the fleet
whith was clole in TO the reef, could not enter
the harbour.-In the afternoon armed mn
were fent on board the American vefels, and
every white and black French nan found on
board was taken out and carried in there.--Jut
before dark, one ofthe fhips GOOD 10 very near
the fort, with every appearance OF entsIlrg.
The fort fred at her, which was returned, and
a cannonading took place. All the forts around
the harbor fred co0aaotly, although iome were
not within miles Of he ihips. This was the
iignal for firing the town. which was immeii
ately begun, and in about ore hour il exhibit
ed an awful fcene of coma lgratioA.--Th ihips
did not attemptto ccraein-
The ftuat:on Of the Americans on board the
veiiels was not very plealani. They were
Totally defenceleis, and within the power of
the blacks and report bad come Oft IN the
afternoon, that they would come on bosrl, at
ter burning the town, and deGroy the vel
Iels aud maGacre the people on board. There
was IS American vefels in the por; (which
was the whole number, a few lmall French
ones excepted) and as there appeared no other
chances TOR fafety, after they Ihould have .gor
ged themfelves on more, but from forne OF the
ihips coming in (which they could not do IN
the night or N detachment of boats TENT
in by them with the troops, Mr.. Lear dstermi-
ned at once to go out by the forts in boat,
and endeavor to get in q detachment OF boats.
On pafing the forts every thing was tient,
which convinced him they had abandoned them,
after letting fire to the town.--He got out iate-
ly and as the ihips food off, il was daylight
before he got on board the Admiral. lie told
his iituation to him, and the Admiral aiiured
him he would 90 in with his Clips without delay
as they could now get in as foon or fooner than
the boats. Accordingly aboat Il O'Clock they
entered the harbour, without a gun from the
forts, which had been abandoned. They touhd
the American ihipping fate, as the blacks were