Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-23
FROM THE ALBANY REGISTER.
AN ANCIENT STORY.
Mr.. Cofpin.


The town OF bylaw, near the Turkish
frontiers in Germany, was, in ancient
times, much embarrassed IN j S for ign
trade vi h her disan, towns. by ve,y
powerful band of highway robbers who
were in large squads on the road, very
expert in war as well as numerous -
they inhabited, at distance, small
spot on the top Of an inaccessible III ~
AN, which was surrounded by large
wilderness. thro' which he several cal
ro DIS passed. they had also some small
So dement's not very many miles from The
own. These highway men were CONT
nualiy attacking, seizIng, and piundering,
under various pretc nces all the Wagons
add horses and their loading, that were
travelling oui orin % town--and seizing
on add Carrying off The waggonsrs ard
travellers of the place, and forcing them
into their squads 10 fgh and also to wait
on the captains Of these highway men
often were the citizens murder red by these
fellows he government Of the town had
attempted every method, bat war. 10 bring
hem 10 alter their oonduc, but 70 no el-
'cct, ard he robbers were the m re bold
and persevering, as they had many friends
and abeuors in he town, pensioned by
hem ; ard also, part of their gang were
trading in town with baskets, and olher
useful truck, made by the old women and
children who lived wph and under the so.
vernment of the robbers.
Things growing worse every day, espe-
cially as new order was issued by the
chief captain of the highwaymen, for sci
ziog and carrying of every Wagon load
coming out or going into town, under
some new pfe,euce (no matter ahat) as
history does not say--the government oil
C town was determined 20 try TO starve
lie villains into terms, and ordered all
| re gafes Of the Town 10 be closed Sc
as to allow no provisions stuff to make
skels &c Of, to be exported all 70
gn trade was forbid, for time, so
as TO prevept aay mere plunder
ling 10 20 i've haada ol ne robbers
| This falling very sore on the robbers them
selves. their sett ements, aud their women
aud children who made the bfsbets, were
likely 10 suffer FOR hunger, as there was mel.
ther any more plumber or even s,le for their
Ibdskets--cspecia tally as other towns at dis
taoce, with whom they had traded, h su-
them out and forbid all trade, Tor the same
re sons as actuated the town OF Evi4qv. -
| The friends of the highway III the town,
and many misguided honest men, opposed
the law for shutting up the gates Jd, y
$ aid il would rum trade..bu. all n lr cia-
NOR was OF no dyal---thcy could NJ, IA 81.
a mob 70 op n the gates and II last, finding
the robbers getting into q great hobbe for
want of bre d---they SET ABOUT IS last re
source, TO stir the people up, as the tunes
were duli To get respectfu petition to he
| government, 20 have one OF he gates open.
winch went TO some distant towns called
! I1ispania, which had affered prec ,r,ou'
trade: any thing to relieve the rubDer. =
| but the people were too cum ne lew were
lguiled. In the next place, hey were con.
stantY abusing the government Of the town
| ---sayIng they were enemies Of trade, sc.
and wished a change many, however
some of whom might have meant well Zoe.
ling deceived) voted for the old government
20 be Ousted and a new one, composed o
the secret friends and abettors Of the high.
! Way-men, to be chosen in their stead, in the
town oaicers---they being not generally sus.
lpected---aud also that the Wagons should
again 80 forth loaded with provisions and
merchandise to foreign places some ais,
voted Tor a change ct government, hoping
for another distribution OF Office.
But the great body Of The citizens were ho-
NEST, AID did not like the robbers, and knew
hat no other way would reduce them 10 term.
as soon as hunger, ard did not wish to risk their
| wasgons ou 50 they stood iirln and voted IN
majority Of honest citizens, who had pas 3ed
the lazy ior shutting the gates. The high way
men seeing this, and losing al hopea--and they
! ui thgir WON u and children who made the
'asyct., g. and also their settlements, being
ut Of bread, AMI nO sale Tor their wares. turn
ri ont their old captains and made new Off
crs WHO were obliged to come on cIms, and
| gree 60 discontinue their robbcries on the pro
| cry ans persons Of the inhabitants Of the town
| 6 EgAa ), and thereafter 10 BE- more homes
gi,b all people, and depend on their industr
| pr hvi1g.
While many ofthc traitors in the town. VIII,
I'd Allotted them andreceved part Of the plum
r. from them,swere pointed out by a marx SC
Oh them