The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-04
[NuMBER 60.
corENaACrN, s.rr. o.

|
claim your indulgence for waving the fuhjett
or buiineis, and cnn6ning the views of my pre-
ient reiptet tolely TO the communication ct N.Y.
ieif and family beng in cxRence, unhurt, ard
YET IN heath--iikewiie the curfory detail OF
| thoie incidents that fuccceded the date of nv
Iais address. Ii my memory be not affected, I
! think advfed you of the appearance of the
Meet, army, &c. IN our roads fha not now
| follow the occurrences in fuccefIion, but OH
frrvc, that for ten days they continued to expe-
rience the mott friendly hospitality from the iu
hab'tants, as well as aid in vittualling and pro-
v'ding for their ihipping, &c. both at Elhneur
and here, without the mallih iealouiy or fulfil
c'on OF Intended hoftlity. At the expiration
of that time, Mr.. Jacklon fuddenly appeared
in this city with the modef demand of our ma
Wy AS depoit againf French intrigue and infio.
ence, to be retored at the period of general
peace. The demand was psremptorily refuf,d
or the junior BerGftoff deputed TO ad here 10
the abfeoee Of the prince royal, and the older
minifter, BerDaoff. The audience and difcuiii
on at the end of this demand lated hu, an hour,
when Mr.. Jackfon took leave and refuge on
board the fleet. The fecond morning after,
theitown was in convuIfed fate, from the we'll
authenticated report Of 10000 troops having
landed, at about the dinancs of fix EngliGh
miles. Such was the confidence of this govern
ment, in the charaeteriitic honor of yours, that
wholly overlooked, until this latter event wac
fully proved and etfabliihed.
In this fate of affairs, aud being without any
regular troops, the defence of the city was left
to about fix thoufsnd militia, the burshers, flu
dents, Sc. all of whom exerted themieIves day
ard night in fortifyipg the ramparts round the
city, and making every neceGary preparation
tor defending the honor of their king and cour-
try. La this occupation they were, employed
II hall Il, I,,,, 4,
truce appeared for the governor Peyman, with
a demand Gmilar to Mr.. Jackfon's, that met
the fame fate. This brought forward the day
following, proclamation from Gambler and
Cathcart, explaining the circumstances that i'm
PEELED the king, their matter, TO adopt the mea-
fures which menaCed the refufal of their de-
mand through Mr.. Jackfon, and wiiliing to inl-
Preis the idea of friendly intention, towards the
government, in cafe it would yield to the object
of their expedition. This proclamation brought
forward frequent interchsnges OF hags and eff.
tatettes that eventually terminated in the fur
render of the town being demanded, with this
addition, that if refuied, the bombardment
would on the following day commence For
many nights previous to this feveral iknmiihes
took place between the enemy and corps of
volunteers competed OF youths from the differ
ent respectable f,mlics of the city, whole active
ardor and ipirit nerited better fate than even
tualiy awaited them, As upwards Of 80 belides
double the number desperately wounded. fell
IN the detached conflicts. Intended hoitiiities
being now announced, it was time to provide
tor the fatety of women and children. Having
OF this detcription IS in number under nv pro-
lection, / was conHr"Ined to appoint a cellar.
10 feet iquare, as the only place of refuge or
fleming tafety In this we remained from We'd
neidaY the I'd of Sept. until the Sunday follow
Ing' GOD be praiied) unhurt, notwithstanding
the front Of my houle, tie ofices, with every
window frame and glafs, being hurt and de.
ftroyed by tine mowers of iliot that fruck and
burf around me. The operations of the fr0.
night having ended, a dag was fcnt in, but in
dignantly dimilItd.
On Friday, after ThGrfGay nights hoailitiee.
fecond appeared, but refufed the conf.
qnence was obferved in The determined reTouti-
on OF the enemy to exert their every power ON
Friday night, in reducing the city to alllcs.--
About ten O'Clock of that night, two of the
principal churches were aiaiied by fleIIs and
rockets theie took Are and notwithfandinr
the continued eXer!ions and perfevering aqivi,1
OF the fremen and engines, communicated RI.
and totally dehroyed, upwards of $50 large r.
commodious newly ereGicd boufes, churches.
rendered more than 100 houfes unfit for winter
dwelling. ard lett, after curfory examination.
fcarcely co houies without more or lefs in;urv
The lofs Of inhabitants cannot be vet afcer.
tanned, Int from the many milling whom have
Individually known, | fear it is great indeed.
The governor, burghers, &c. now faw the inn
po1ibili;y Of further reliance, and capituI,,ed
on Saturday with the delivery Of the citadel.
the TWO arienais, and the whole of the feet
further as To particulars, ! am not able 70 90.
therefore viii ceaie with ho9t!ities, and endea
vour to impress you ~ith the idea OF cFsae-
Bctides the honies cOniumsd and darnared in
the city, the governor ordered ihofe of the lead
ing avenues and fuburbs to be burnt; of theft
it is fuPpofed $50 were levelled, 70 that, ON thu.
whole at the prefent moment, it is fuppofed that
nearly 10000 people of various delcription,
are, and will be expofed TO every incemency of
weather, prefeBt and approaching, without the
poiibility of being provided for at this late fea.
fon, having lot every chance of repairs by the
Iofs of the various depofts Of public and private
timber, that would otherwife afiif in alfordino
Temporary fhelter.
Take this, my dear friend, into confederation
were you but half an hour vyitneis of what
have yeaerday and this day bebcld, am fltisH-
ed you will be more affected than if was dave
employed in detailing the exiting miferies and
diftreHes, and here without the profpel of even
temporary alienation, 70 generally are they felt
and distributed. Let me coniure you, there.
fore, as fiierds, as men diveted OF thofe orinci.
pies that now appear to be adopted by your
government, TO come forward--arreft the aiten.
tions and confderdtions of the humane and
publicly and privately, in behalf Of
thouiands who have fallen victims to the mott