Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-08

From 1888 to 1874, 1t any femlttanccs
were made they have eluded detection.--
But in that year we have the clearest evi-
dence that a sum of 5000 dollars was sent
to be delivered TO him, and though it was
lost on the route, yet from complaint in
one Of hi. letters We should Judge that the
shipment was on his account and risk.
Finding the means of transmitting the
money difficult, or the agents unfaithful, or
the suspicious of Wayne awakened, or from
some other cause, the general found it ne
cessary to dispatch special messenger to
receive the subsidy. He pitched upon Mr..
Owens, a gentleman who had been driven
by disappointment from society, and who
was pursued by poverty 10 his retreat. His
wants induced him to undertake the mis-.
sion, and from his character Wilkinson knew
that he nigh, rely on his fidelity. He de-
served a better employment and better
fate !: for having received the sum OF 5000
dollars he was sent up the river in public
galley to the mouth Of the Ohio, he there
embarked in a perogue with six Spanish
sailors, furnished by the commandant of the
galley to go up the Ohio, and was in few
days afterwards robbed and murdered by
his crew. The whole of this transaction is
circumstantially related by Mons. Francois
L.nglois, now an inhabitant Of this terrific
ry, then the commander of the galley in
which Owens was conveyed (No. ~ To
corroborate his testimony are added extracts
of two letters from the baron de Caronde-
let to Mr.. Langlois relative to this transac-
ton and to the capture Of the murderers.
One or two of them were tried for this
crime, and the trial gave publicity to the OBJ
ject of Owens voyage, which, by the ait-
davit OF Mr.. Boullgny Ca planter OF this
province formerly adjutant major OF the
Louisiana regiment, now member OF the
territorial legislature) appears to have been
very publicly known, and the generals cha
racter duly appreciated. (See No. 8.
Grleved for the loss of his money, and
alarmed lest the trial of the murderers in
the United States should lead to disagreed
bic Investigations, general Wilkinson de-
termined to use every exertion to appre-
bend and deliver them to the Spanish 60
vernmsnt. One named Vexerano was tax
tn, tried and condemned at New-Orleans.
An other escaped, but was afterwards taken
mar the same place, and underwent the
same fate. One who had not parti,ip ated
in the crime, Immediately after it was COM
mitted, left his companions and fed to New
Madrid. Ihe other three after wandering
some time in Kentucky, were taken& con-
fined, but were enlisted by lieut.. Smith, and
as there was no evidence against them, they
were suffered to join the army but general
Wayne hearing their history, ordered them
to be discharged and reprimanded the Off
son by means which are not known procur
cd them 10 be transferred to Fort Wash
lng.on, WHARF, he engaged Mr.. Cs. Smith,
of Kentucky, to convey them to New Ma
did. They were chained and put on board
boat for that purpose, but on his way
down Snrth attempted to pass Fort Mas
sac at night, but was stopped by major
Doyle, who commanded there, and who
not knowing by what authority Wilkinson
sent men in irons to a Spanish comman-
elant, refused to let them proceed--but sent
ar officer with Smith to major Portal, at
New Madrid, requesting to be furnished
with an interpreter to examine the prison
ers, and to furnish such proofs as might be
necessary to convict them on their trial in
the American territory. Smith bore an or
der, from Wilkinson on the commandant
for 500 dollars, for the conveyance of the
prisoners. This however was protested,
but MIR. Power was sent as an interpreter
to examine them. 1t not being the interest
of the Spanish government that the affair
should be investigated, no proof was sent
on, and the men after some months con-
fnement WE'RE DISCHARGED for want of evil