Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-04-17

teetion for the tswn of Bassaterre eitaer
IN troops or British men of war, any re-
sistancc was deemed inefeS ual, 70 so for.
midabie force.
AS no Nag of truce appeared from the
enemy, but preparations were observed for
landing troops, a committee of six gentle-
men, previously appointed, went of with
Hag oftruce and we're received on board
lie Lynx, where gen. Barbot, chief of the
etat-major demanded TO hear our proposals
the termsof equalization proposed, were.
LIST. That they shall retain their laws,
as far as the same relate to their persons
and properties, During the war.
I'd. That their persons and properties
shall be safe, and taken under the protcc.
ton of the French government.
Sd. All forts, batteries and ammuniti.
on, within the power of the inhabitants a.
bove described, shall be delivered up to
the French government.
The. committee were then sent ON boad
the Majestsux, where they were received
by admiral and gen. Grange with polite
ness. On repeating TO them The terms,
they were informed by the general, that,
the following only would be agreed to-
viz:
The surrender of all the merchant ship
ping in the road.
The occupation by their troops of the
two small ports of Smith aud Bluff Point:
and
"A contribution of million of iiyre,
tourneis, to be carried on board the Ma.
Jesteux, byS o'clock the next morning.
On the return of the committee ON
shore, accom- panied by M. Ducrocq, the
French commissary gen, Barbot marched
the troops to Taylor's estate, where he
liked his head quarters; he then sent for
the treasurer and collector and ordered mr..
Coffin to produce + 5000 sterling by
O'Clock the next morning--and toid The
committee thar 1.-THE sum was not raised by
that Time, It should then be doubled, until
the next day ; * ifnot then completed, the
whole o!the French troops shouR be land.
ed, the town x country given up to plumber.
and afterwards the town be demolished
by the line 81 uattie snIps. He stated thar
this contribution was MOTTO be considered ax
levied or the inhabitants themselves but
by the French government on the English
government, which would indemnify us for
our losses. In addition 10 this he dec,ar-
ell he must have Il 5000 separately from
the collector and zoo, GOO vres, fpearly
Z 5000 sterling) as a compensation for
the troops already landed, and under hi,
orders.
ip consequence ofthe sum required, not
oeIn5 received, gen. Barbot told the COLI
lector he should demand double; and il
being impossible 20 procure it in cash, re-
course was had to the negotiation of il,
by bills.-Accordingly, Mr.. Coffin, the
collector, drew OH gen. Matthews (who
was on visit to the Island, from Ameri.
CAY tor 10000. sterling, in favor of gen.
barbot; which bill was accepted by eeo.
Matthews. He then gave his own bills
on the>American consul in Paris. for tbe
amount which was demanded by gen Bar
/ bot.
At live O'Clock in the forenoon the conn
mittee were carried on board the Maies-
teaux lien. Grange then said, that he
was extremely dissatisfied with the small
ness OF the sum raised that he was cer.
tain there was more money on the Island
land hnally demanded that 20, oook. ster-
hing more should be brought on bosrd the
MaJesteux by O'Clock the next morning.
ihis the committee frankly declared was
impossible. Gen. Grange then ordered
them into the lieutensnt's cabin, and
threatened to take them to sea if his De.
mand was not complied with.
Soon after they were informed by Cen.
baroot' that they must pledge themselves
to bring on board 1000 guiness, by 8 o.,
clock precisely; in which case no injury
should be done to the town or the inhsbi.
tan's. With this they complied and AZ
nine O'Clock the next morning The money
was taken on board L'Armide, where
they we're received with expressions Of
appreciation at the honor and fidelity with
which they hand fulfilled their engages
ment.
M. Ducrocq was presented With gold
watch by the committee. as a teslimonv
OF esteem for his behaviour TO the inha.
bitants.
Al IL O'Clock, on the 9Th, the squadron
departed and went to Nevis, where thew
obtained 1900. currency, landed no sol.
diefs, and behaved with the utmost poIi,c-
ness. They demarded af 6rst ca ono -: