Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-25
PHILADELPHIA, May Ie.

PHILADELPHIA, May 10.
Extract Of a letter received al Nev York,
from gentleman in tie HaUdnna, dafed
.fytrR so.
"On Friday morning the 26th inst. at
the hour of nine, MIR. Vincent Gray, the
aching American consul, was arrested in
his house upon an order signed by the in.
tendant general of the island; his papers
both public and private seized and placed
under seals; his Office closed and sealed
and his person conveyed to the common
prison of the city.
This measure was executed by six or
seven OF the officers of the intendancy &C.
companied by lawyer and public notary.
The whole object of their visit was not at
once explained. The lawyer stated that
he came on the part of the intendant 10
examine Mr.. Gray respecting a vessel
which had gone from this to another part
Of the island, and the captain of which had
departed without paying the duties. The
captain had also left some Of his papers be-
hind, on one of which IA bill of sale1 was
certificate of Mr.. Gray's in his official
capacity; relating merely to its execution,
butwhich the wise counsellorof the intend
ant general (called assessor) construed in
to connivance at the captains Delinquent
cy !!
| As SOON therefore as the foregoing ex.
animation was closed, which related solely
10 Mr.. Gray's acknowledgment of the ST.
tuation he held here, the officers anDounc-
ed their order to seize his papers; and
which notwithstanding the remonstrances
OF MIR. Gray, they accordingly did. On
finishing that and not before. they announ-
ced their further orders 10 convey him TO
PRISON, which was also done.
IN the foregoing proceeding, which oc-
cupied two or three hours, the officers pre-
vented any person from entering or leav-
ing the house of the consul; and placed
Mr.. Morton the former consul, now here
on private business. and residing with MIR.
Gray also under arrest or confinement !;
and took his deposition as 10 his appoints
ment of Mr.. Gray, when he (Mr. NJ for
merly left the Island 10 return to Ameri
ca They would not permit MIR. Morton
10 have any communication with the Gov.
intendani or any other person, until they
were conveying MIR. Gray to prison, when
they gave Mr.. NJ. his liberty.
Mr.. Nj. Immediately repaired 10 the Of
ficer with whom the affair originated, and
stated to linn the serious consequences
which might ensue, not only 10 the Ame-
rican commerce al this moment, but as
compromit,ing the future peace Of the two
countries following this by an appeal to
the governor and captain general Of the
island.
By these remonstrances, aided by the
exertieBs Of several private individuals of
the place, among whom Mr.. c. Fraser,
and MIR. Chester we're conspicuous, Mr..
Gray was in the evening, about O'Clock
restored to his personal liberty, having
previously given security TO await the is
! sue Of the suit upon which he had been ar
rested. The governor declared that the
affair had been without his knowledge, and
that he considered it as violent and inn
proper procedure on the part of the In
tendant General; who also declared that
he had signed the order, as he does many
papers presented to him by his assessor
or counsellor, without having examined or
known its contents /; and afterwards decIar.
ed to Mr.. q. that he would have the au-
thor of it punished. notwithstanding all
those declarations, however, the seals re-
NAMED upon MIR. G's Office and papers,
until this moment of writing causing
thereby total suspension of public bust
ness, and imposing an absolute embargo
upon mary vessels whose papers are de-
posted in the consulate. How long this
viii continue, it is impossible to say. The
governor is fearful Of acknowledging his
having received, and still admitting pub.
lie resident; and the others are DESTROYS
oil hiking It upon his excelIency although
all OF them have occasionally communi-
Gated with MIR. Gray in his official capa-
city. The governor last evening declared
70 him and Mr.. NJ. that he would this dsy
bring the affair to some decision /; Mr.. c..
having previously assured his excellency
that ne would otherwise be obliged to aban.
don the affairs and papers Of the United
states, and dispatch person with infor-
nation thereof to our government.
a public dinner is this day to be given
to MIR. Gray by the Americans, as atesti.
mony OF their respect for his character,
and their sense Of his public services.
n lew days more will give a new and