Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-08-23

Tlacf Snake, owned by persons n-ar the
lines, well known there tn have been EN-
ployed in smuggling. The cutter pursued
her up Onion river, where she wAs found
and taken possess on of by lieus. 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 come on
board. The Black Snake was manned by
a part of the crew of the cutter, who pro-
ceeded with her down the river, while the
smugglers repeatedly declared they should
never take her out ofthe river alive. They
had not gone more than 100 Is, before they
were fired on from the shore, thro' the
bushes, and one man on board the cutter,
by the name of Ellis Drake, was shot thro'
the head and Immediately expired. Seve-
raj more shots were made when the lieut
ordered his men to steer for the shore.
Scarcely had they landed, when the whole
contents of large gun, called wall piece,
about ten feet in length, carrying 10 OF.
balls, was discharged upon them, which
proved fatal to Asa Marsh, another of the
crew of the cutter, and Mr.. Ormsby, an
inhabtant of this town, who returning from
work, happened to be present at this un..
fortunate moment. The lieut.. also rcceiv
ed ball thro' his left arm and was slightly
wounded in his head. BY the spirited ex
ertions of the pleople of this village, Sper-
sons were apprehended and safely LODGED
in the common Jail which is guarded by a
detachment of the town militia. A Jury of
inquest was Immediately summoned, who
| after view of the bodies and careful eX-
animation of the witnesses, returned their
inquisition that the deceased came to their
death by WILFUL MURDER. Two of
the persons unprecedented will probably
make it appear that they were not concern
ed in this horrid transaction.
The funeral of these unfortunate victims
was attended yesterday by vast conconrse
of persons from this and the neighboring
towns An appropriate and pathetic dis
course was delivered by he Rev. ID Wilt
ans. The procession proceeded from the
court house TO the burying ground, and ex-
tended nearly half 4 mile in LENGTH The
militia of this town under the command of
capt. Justus Warner, rendered Martial no.
nors TO the memory of the deceased.
An examination of the prisoners has not
lyet taken place. AS soon as an enquiry is
made, the public will have minute detail
OF the facts; in the mean time, it is hoped
(all opinion will be suspended. There are
four OF these desperadoes who have not yet
been taken, but the greatest exertions are
making to apprehend them.
In the Burlington paper, we find an adj
tvertisement under the signature of the coll
lector of the Revenue, offering a reward of
100 dollars for Samuel Mott, commander
o. the batteau; and SO dollars each for VIM.
Nokes, capt. Pease, and Slocum Clark,
the remainder of the crew, who had COM
mit-ed the above recited outrage upon our
citizens. and fled from the hand of Justice.
Capt Pease it is said, has since been APP
pretended, and committed to Burlington
Ijail-Rutland Herald.
Two long Q Founders, and several small
Ter pieces o. cannon, passed through this
village TOR Lake ChampIain, one d " last
week, under the care of lieut.. of the ma
Wy and several midsh pmeu. They are in
tended for the two gun boats, now building
or about to be built, on the lake, to aid in
enforcing the embargo laws.-Lans;ngburg
Gazette