Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-10-11
TRIAL AT BURLINGTON.

The following statement which was com.
municated for the Rutland [vt Herald
and which throws some light on the re-.
cent occurrences on the lake, We presume
will operate more sensibly on the feel
logs of our readers, and be read with
more attention, than the success or de.
feat OF those European despo whose
vassals barter their lives at the shrine
OF folly and ambition TO CRAFTY still
more foolish and ambitious masters.
IN. Start
TRIAL OF MOTT.
Al time when the public mind is 20
much agitated it is presumed every one
8 wishing for correct information. Ha-
wing attended the two first weeks of The
sitting Of the Supreme Court a, Burlington,
Cor The trial of those unfortunate men
whose misguided judgments have led them
TO a violent outrage of the laws of their
country, subjoin the following statement
of facts which appeared from the testlmo.
ny before the court
The regulations among the smuggiers
when they started from the lines, were,
that they would not be the first to fire
they had prepared themselves with poles
To prevent any other boa, coming so near
as to board them, bui if they proved in4
sufficient they were prepared with large
number OF clubs, about 3 feet long and
quantity OF stones about the 8 re of mans
list, to be used to beat off the assalants
N case they attempted TO board but if
hey were fired upon they were 10 leturn
ne fire, and do as good execution as pos
cah Ia. i,.A "A l..
commander, Mudget, had two. When
they got to the sand bar, they got the Wall
piece which they placed On the bow of the
boat. When they got in'o Onion Rivep
they were informed by man from Geor-
sia, that the revenue cutter was pursuing
Them, this was the day before the races,
and the man who was To lead them back,
came To the river and told them he would
not risque his pot ash, for it would pro-
badly be taken; but he would give them
ten gallons of rum If they would destroy
the revenue cutter; they had but little am
munition, and one oftheirnunber went 10
town and bought powder add a quantity
OF lead, and set up most all night running
balls at Joys, where they stad they
washed out their guns, oiled their locks,
sc. then shot at mark and shot the wall
piece likewise. Mott and Sheffield went
down the river in the morning of the Sd
OF August and returned wih news that
the revenue cutter was coming up the r.:
yer and said they aust prepare Tor them
they drew the slugs from the wall piece
and loaded it with ! 6 balls, saying would
do better execution. Day ran down To
meet the cutter and told them they would
find something more terrible than the
Snake, which was thirty men we'll armed
The returned and they carried their arms
up to where the Snake lay, when they
spied the cutter and crew.
Midget stood by the lake in the posi-
ton of a cenunel, and peremp,orily told
them not to land, and when the cutter Lao.
Ided by the side of the Snake, twore ne
would blow the first man thro' lha, should
lay his hand on the Snake, Lieut.. Far
ldngtoo however Immediately jumped on
board and was followed BY his meu and
| Midget called on his men 20 come forward
aid defend their boat, asked if they were
towards, Sc. Mott wss discovered res.
ling the big gun in the crotch Of small
I.ree, pointing directly over the hoal the
llieul. asked for the sail. ruddcr aud oars,
+ and went on shore with some sf as NEE