Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-05-01
DAN'L L. HILTON.


Being requested by one of the members
of the Executive Council, to state in writ
ing the substance of a conversation which
took place in the county of Goochland, be-
tween Lieutenant Thomas Underwood and
myself.
The evening after the melancholy event
of the death of Mr. John M'Credie | was
requested by the governor and Mr. Ander-
son Barrett to take charge of letter adj
dressed to Lieut.. Underwood, and proceed
after him and request his immediate re-
turn to this city; | accordingly left Rich
mond at six o'clock the next morning pre-
vious to my leaving the city, had heard
various reports as TO the orders which had
been given by the officers OF the guard to
their centinels; on my meeting with Lieut..
Underwood, after the usual compliment at
meeting, the unfortunate occurrence was
mentioned; Then observed to him there
was contrariety of opinion as to the or
ders, and would thank him to let me hear
what were the orders given to the cent?
nels; this conversation took place before |
had delivered the letter of the governor
his reply to my enquiries was in substance,
that the orders so far rs he had given them
In the absence of his superior officer, were
that the centinel should hail any person who
approached within a limited distance of
the line OF demarcation pointed out to them,
that the call should be loud and distinct
that when the person advanced TO the CEN
tinel so as for him to discover their des-
cription, If white man, they were to be
permitted to pass on, unless some evident
intention was shewn to go into the place
they were posted 10 guard and in that
case to detain them and deliver them over
to the officer of the guard, and in no case
to fire on any individual, but the convicts
should they attempt to escape and that
he had repeatedly heard his superior Off
Ger give the like orders-After this the
governors letter was delivered to Lieut..
Underwood, who expressed his thanks for
having been sent for, and at the same time
assured me, if he had for a moment sun
posed his presence would have been neces-
sary, he would not have left the city, altho'
he had urgent business which required
his attention, and that he would, and did
return with me.
JOHN F. PRICE.
Richmond, 18th Feb 1907.
Henrico C0unfy, &c.
Sworn to before me in due form acreea-
bic to law, this 18th February, 1907.
DAE'L. i. HYLTON.
Afhdavits, taken in the City IF Richmond
on the 9Th day of March, 1907, respecting
orders given by the commandant of the
Public Guard, viz.
Sergeants VIM. Cooper, A. Griffin, VIM.
Whelin.
Corporals John Burchell, Dan1 Mann, Pas
Kill Pocket, Peter Dunlavy, Jas.
Edwards, John Lain, sen.
Sergeant WIN. Cooper does not hesitate
to say but that it has always been the or
ders Of the commandant verbally on pub
lie parade that the n-commissioned of
ficers should instruct every recruit in all
their duties whatsoever and that the or
ders for the centinels have frequently been
given on the parade from the general or
ters of governor Monroe and others, and
that it has been always the orders Of the
that when any person intoxi-
Gated, should approach the centinel's post,
and any abuse should be given, the centinel
was not TO hurt HIM, bur to take care of
him, and further this deponent saith not.
WILLIAM COOPER.
SERGEANT Abner Griffin acquiesccs in the
above, and further saith that he has fire.
luently known men intoxicated tobe bro't !
rom the Capitol to the barracks, and there
10 be taken care of till the next morning, !
and that he has frequently heard the capt |
and lieut. give orders to the centinels YER