Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-07-11

10 hlh the many insulting menaCes, which
had been communicated in Norfolk, as COM
ing from him. He positively denied ever
having uttered any such-declared if they
had been used by any of his officers, that !
they were unauthorized, and disapproved |
OF by him, renharking at the same time,
that he hoped all who knew him, would do !
him the Justice 20 believe, that he was not
IN the habit of using the language of threat
lie here too, again referred TO all the of
hcers to say, if they had ever heard him at
any time, even while speaking conhdenti- |
ally to them, utter such expressions, and
they united III declaring that they had not
desultory conversation then took place
between capt. Douglas, the other captains
and myself, which continued nearly All
hour, III the course (which many remarks
were made, which had no reference to the
| SUBJECT oil your letter, or were in any way
connected with it: these, sir, have alrea-
uy communicated TO yourself, and to all my
fellow citi2ens, with whom I have converts
ed upon this subject; but as they are not
connected with the subject of your letter,
presume 1t would be unnecessary again
/ to detail them here. In the course OF this
conversation, | described TO them as well
as was able, the sentiments which uni
Versally prevailed through the country at
this time, the cause from whence it pro-
ceeded, and the effects it would produce,
provided any effort on their part SHOULD he
made to oppose the public resolves, as to
intercourse or supplies. / explicitly de
clared that we had as vet received no au-
thorlty from our government to proceed to
acts ct aggression, but that we were autho-
rised, and were prepared for defence, and
tor the protection of ourselves and our pro-
perty to prove which placed in the hands
OF capt Douglas, an extract from the let
ter OF gov. Cabell, to brigadier general Ma
thews, which l had made for that purpose
concluded by warning him again not to
send any of his officers or people on shcre.
Tor that ifhe did, the arm Of civil AUTHORITY.
l did not believe, would be able to protect
them from hevenSeance of an euraged peo-
. pie that this might lead to consequences
: which might possibly be vce averted, and
; II he was sin,eie IN the sentiments he ex
press d, he would be anxious to prevent
such results Capt. Douglas, and all the
captains declared, that they were aware of
the present state of the pub ic feelings, and
deplored the circumstance which had ex-
cited 1T; that they did not intend to ex-
pose any OF their people to the resentment
OF ours, which they could conceive was
, highly iniiamed that as to the supplies,
, they did not want any at present, but when
= they did, they should not attempt to pro-
. cure them in any way which would excite
, the opposition OF the citizens of this coun-
, try.
Upon the subject of intercourse, he did
not expect TO hold any with the people of
, this country, nor was there any occasion
torit He only wished to be permitted free
, ly to communicate with the accredited of
fcers othis government here, who had been
, formally received and recognized by our
, executive, and whose functions he presu-
mednone but the government had the right
to put down. rs to the particular manner
> in which this communication might be car
RED on, 1t was matter quite Indifferent to
him.---He had no objection to that being re-
gulated by ourselves, in any way which is
Judged proper, and that he would certainly
pursue the mode which might be suggested
as most agreeable tous, provided the chan
hel OF communication was kept free and
. open.---Io this | stated, that ! had no au-
thorlty from any person to enter. into any
engagement with him, but that as an indi-
vldual L would state, that the letters he
mad forwarded under cover to you had been
safely delivered, and that therefore, pre-
sumed any other dispatches of like kind
would be treated in the same way---But
, upon this subject, ] could only refer him to
: you and your associates for information-.
He then stated that he would TO dav write
All answer 10 your lcttcr, WHICH he should
. forward as before, and left his ship, Capt.
. Douglas again repeating the substance of
what have already stated.
: From the moment approached the Bel
Iona to that on which left her, my treat
: mcnt rom Capt. Douglas and all his Off
!, GERS, was marked by as mucn attention, DO
likeness, and respect, as any gentleman e.
yer received from others. My particular
friend Mr.. James Taylor, jun. accompani-
ed me on board the British ship, for rea-
sons that will at once suggest themselves
to you, when you remember the delicate
and cmbarrass ng situation in which might
be placed. He remained on board the
whole time with me, and was a witness to
every thing which passed. / have read to
him this communication, Sir, in order to
ascertain If my recollection was correct.
and he accords with me in every statement
here made.
! have forwarded a copy of this letter to
the Governor of Virginia, and to the Fc-
deral Executive, believing that at this time
it is the duty of every citizen to keep his
government well informed of every thing
which may be useful.
] am respectfully, Sir,
Your most obedent servant,
L. w. TAZEWELI..
To RICHARD Z. LIE, Esq. Mayor
of the Borough Of Norfolk.