Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-08-15
Eg tbe Raiis,



took place in this vicinity on ,Wednes-
day last. A revenue Gutter from tire
lines, commanded by Lieut.. Earring.
ton, with sergeant and IL privates
was dispatched by the Collector Of the
Customs, in pursuit Off large batteau
called tie Black Snake, owned by per-
sons near the lines, well known to have
been some time employed in SNUG
gllng:N The Gutter pursued her up
Onion river, where she was found and
taken possession OF by 1t Harrington,
while her crew who were armed, stood
on the bank of the river and threatened
to fire on the first man who attempted
to 60 on board. The Black Snake was
manned by part of the crew of the
cutter, who proceeded with her down
the river, while the smugglers repeat
eddy declared they should never take
her out Of the river. They had not
gone more than 100 rods, before they
were fred on from the shore, through
the bushes, and one man on board the
cutter, by the name OF Ellis Drake, was
shot through the head and Immediately
expired. Several more shots were
made when the Lieutenant ordered his
men to steer for the shore.
Scarcely had they landed, when the
whole contents of large gun, called a
wall piece, about ten feet in length,
carrying t6 ounce bawls, was discharg-
ed upon them, which proved fatal 10
Asa Marsh, another of the crew of the
Gutter and Mr. Jonathan Ormsby, an
inhabitant OF this town, who was return
Ing from his work, happened to be
present at this unfortunate moment
The Lieut.. also received a ball through
his left arm and was slightly wounded
TN his head. BY the spirited exertions
of the PeoPle Of this village, eight per-
sons were apprehended and are safely
lodged IN the common gaol, which is
guarded by detachment from the
town militia. A Jury OF Inquest was
Immediately summoned who after q
view Of the bodies s careful exanina.
ton OF Witnesses, returned their Inqui-
siuon that the deceased came to their
deaths by WIbFUL MURDER Two
OF the persons apprehended viii proba.
bly, make II appear that they were not
concerned in this horrid transaction.
The funeral Of these unfortunate
victims was attended yesterday, by a
vast assemblage Of persons from this
and the adjacent towns. An spprcpri-
ate and pathetic discourse was deliver
cd by the Rev. Dr. Williams. The
procession proceeded from the Court
House to the burying ground and ex-
tended nearly half mile in length.
The militia Of this town, under the
command Of Capt. Justus Warner rem.
dered martial honors to the memory Of
the deceased.
An examination Of the prisoners has
not yet taken place AS soon as an
inqsiry is made the public will have a
minute detail of the facts in the mean
time, it is hoped all opinion will be sus.
pended. There are three of These
desperadoes who have not been taken
but the greatest exertions are making
to apprehend them.
Just as this paper was going to press
Capt, Harmon, and a detachment o
soldiers from the lines, arrived here
with person called Captain Peas, on,
Of the crew of the Black Snake. II
was aprrehended on Hog Island.
We learn that sloop loaded witt
SO barrels Of Potash, was taken nqa
the lines the day before yesterday.
We understand that two Cun-boat
are to be built on Lake Champlain, an,
a sloop Of war on Lake Ontario, 70
the purpose 81 enforcing the Ernbargr
Laws.
1t ~ said that the Cunboats are to b
built III this town.
----act - srn---
4 pnc1SN gYrpyvr7, ~