Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-09-19

Nicholas. Sebastian, lines, Murray, Clark,
BE. and all, in word, who are attached to
Wilkinson, as well as those who are to COM
nose the army of Clark" The whole OF this
letter deserves the serious attention OF these
who wish to form correct Judgment on
this point. Mr. Power sat out soon alter
the date of this letter, and after variety OF
adventure, the detail OF which would be
,,aeless on thir occasion, he arrived at De-
troit, the head quarters OF the American
general, during his absence, and was treat
ed by col. Strong, who had the temporary
command, With the rigor which the public
knowledg. of his former errands seemed to
merit. Advice Of this visit was given to &C.
neral Wilkinson while on his way to ps-
tro;t. He,e lie, respectable wirn' SIS, whom
we have before heard, speak IN his own
language. s'Oa our way down to Detroit
(says captain Sterret in his letter No. ~
as we entered the river Saint Clair we met
a command of men with ditpstchss tor
the General. The same day after hav-
ing read his letters, he invited me to 60
on shore with him to shoot Pigeons
While on shore he told me that Mr.. iho-
ma. Power had arrived at Detroit in his ab-
.ence, that colonel Strong the commandant,
acting under an order of major general
Wayne's, had him in continents nt-ihat he
was apprehensive that he would have to
send Power out Of the country, although he
knew him to be On honest cIcocr tclI01o, q
man of talents and Qae that had rendered
him Great services, but that unfortunately.
Mr.. P. was suspected as spy, and that the
United States suspected BIN, general WI
kinson, and at the same time quo'lns the
old adage, that twas more criminal IN some
to look over the hedge than in Others to
steal hare, asked me, $ How should
like to take a trip to New Madrid with
Mr.. Powe, :" answered very well; he
then erioined secrecy or me. We arrived
at Deuoi, before the middle of September,
| 1897. and found Mr.. P. (as the general had
| stated in confinement. He,was immedl-
|lv set at liberty aad dined with him few
days after at the generals table. A very
| short time after this, (perhaps day | was
sent for by the general who informed me
hat he had other duty for me, than ct es-
cor,ipg Mr.. P. that captain shannko"rsh
was selected for that COMMAND, that l must
hold myself in readiness to proceed to ker-
tucky, there to procure money on bills ana
pay the troops at Fort Kncx at V'ncennes,
which order obeyed and lett Mr., r. at
Detroit. In the btginn,n1inss b of 81
Massac on his return from New Madrid,
where he had delivered Nj. Power. He
Showed mc his Instructions from the gene.
raj relative 10 Mr.. p. in which captain S.
WAS ordered not to permit Nlr. P. TO enter
into any of our ports and to deny him the
use of pen, ink, penci! or paper, &c. On
reading those Instructions expressed great
surprise at this precaution when knew that
Mr.. Power had trave He'd through that coun-
>ry on his-way, and that he had hi tull H.
berty at Detroit. Captain Shaumbourgh
laughing said sit was 6ore."
Before I refer to the evidence Of Mr..
Power himself on this occasion, let me adj
vert to one circumstance which must be
conclusive. independent of any light thrown
on the subject by Mr.. Power himself, it is
clear from document which cannot be sus-
pected, the original instructions from Ca.
rondelst, that Power was sent for for the
express purpose of making proposals to w.
deroga,oTy to his dignity, and inconsistent
with his allegiance as citizen, and his du. |
ty as an officer. It is clear from the tes,i-
mony of MIR. Sterrct, and from the gene.
RAILS own letter, that he was we'll received,
that he staid some days, and that he had
several conferences with him. 1t is i'm.
possible not to suppose in those conferences,
he complied with the instructions given him
by his superior, and that he made the pro-
position which he had undertaken to do
What would have been the conduct Of an
honorable man, on receiving such propo-