The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-06-16
POLITICAL.
FROM THE AURORA.
DEsERTloN TO CANADA.

maslversions on an unhappy affair which took
place in the early part ofthelast month within
the Canada line. s,r' 't-
The public papers to the eastward and west
ward have, during the establishment ofthe pub.
lie force on the frontier towards Canada, repre-
sented the assertions from the u. States troops
on that frontier, into Canada, as mmense--iadeed
it is too true that the desertions had become a
matter Of the almost seriousness, and the detach
ed stations and relseiyely small numbers at each
station, had rendered an exact and uniform dis
ciplne utterly i,npractcabIe, where the battalion
officers were themselves all inexperienced, of
various habits, aud newly brought together The
hostile disposition of the Canadian government,
and the corresponding temper of its adherents,
stimulated, no doubt, by the embargo upon COM
mercial dealings, and the prospect of a war, had
induced the Canadians to hold forth every temp
tation to our troops to desert; great numbers
did desert and were received with open arms
and marked attention in Canada. These things
we note, merely to account for the temper ofir.
ritation which produced the unfortunate transac-
ton, to which we have immediate reference, a
transaction, however, which is not to be justified
nor countenanced, any more than the similar in
fraction OF our territory in Vermont by British
military psrty ten or twelve years ago by ano.
Their British military party at Detroit four or five
years ago; the outrage and murder Of Pearce in
the waters of New York-thc outrage of the
Chesapeake by admiral Berkely-the burning
of French ship in our waters about the same
period--or the recent outrage by the British ship
ofwar Melampus. We note all these facts, and
might note others Of older, and some of recent
date, & similur character, not to Justify the
duct ofthe u. States officer who violated the
territory of Canada but 90 reprobate the false l.
IDEAS fduty and the erroneous conduct of the Of.
fcer, and to show how differently such persons,
guilty OF such conduct are treated by the United
States, from the treatment which those have re
celyed who violated our territory and rights. If
our government were to follow the precedent set
them by Great Britain, captain Bennett would,
like captain Wright who murdered Pearce, or
admiral Berkeley, who murdered and hanged SO
many Americans, be promoted to higher sta
ton and command-he would be appointed ma
jor or a colonel-and he would have been dis
tinguished for future promotion five do not
manage matters setter, we act at least with
decorun more consistent with the laws of ma
tons and the rights Jurisdiction.
The following is an authentic account of the
affair, from documents in possession of the editor
ut the Aurora, contained in a letter from Oswe.
gatchie, Of date the 4th May.
Anuhhappy affair took place in this neigh
borbood few days ago, which has produced
much warmth in Canada, captain Bennett, of the
9th U. y. Regt. lett this place Sunday last
20 proceed for his station up the river, and gone
about twenty miles, when the wind heading the
vessel came to anchor. On Monday the wind
sthl proving adverse, captain H0tnes who com
TIC NCsscl, went ON SuCrc 10 gel me
provisions, a iJeant Of thu 9th Regt. aud one
rtwo OF the privates went OH shore also for the
same purpose. Capt Bennett, whowas on board,
thinking the serj cant and men delayed. too long
on shore, sent has own boat for them and brought
them of while the men had been OIL shore, they
were told that dcserter from their regiment was
An that neigaborhood, and the serjeani had gone
and ascertained the fact, he had seen and recoe-
n;zed the man desertcr, without making
himself known.
T" The serieant, upon returning on board, re-
ported the circumstances To his commanding Of
ficer, thus accounting for this delay shore, and
stated that the place at which the deserter was
= did not exceed three quarters of mile distance
Captain Bennett, young inexperienced officer
perhaps not very conversant with the law of ma
lions, and acting under zeal, which, under n
more judicious direction, might lead to conduct
honorable and glorious, unlIappiy conceived it
90 ne his duty acd his right seize the deserter
any where 7: He determined to detach the serje-
ant, with two men, with orders to bring the de-
serter on boarti--and not to use any sort OF vio
ience, unless attacked with violence, and then 10
repel force By force-aid in case the deserter al
tempted to escape, TO make Of his arms. The
sergeant went ashore in capt. Benefits boat lea.
wing one man II charge of the boat tl.. sergeant
and two men proceeded through the woods, sci
zed the deserter, and were conducting Kim TO the
boat, when number of armed people appeared
issuing from the village running towards them
the deserter seeing this succor, made an effort &
succeeded in extricating himself, and ran with
great speed towards the croud, and from the mi.
1tary party--the sergeant cried out, that if he
did not stop, he would order the men to fire-but'
lie proceeding, the sergeant ordered his men to
lire, and the deserter fell, being about ten rods
distance when he feli--the sergeant and his par
~ were pursued, but made good retreat to the
boat, and got safe on board-the vessel bore away
and arrived at this place.
This statement is from respectable citizen,
who was on board the vessel, and had \ fair view
of the transactions
Immediately upon information being received
by col. Simonds, who commands the detachments
on that frontier, on the 14t MAY, he issued AN
order TO capt. Bennett, of which tie following is
transcript:
ALBANY, 18th May, 1909
- In consequence OF outrage, committed
by party OF yodr men acting under your orders
on the sovereignty Of nation, at peace with the
United States-I deem it AN indispensable duty,
which / owe my government to order arrest--it
rs also the most correct mode of proceeding as
to yourself, as by it, you afforded the fairest
opportunity of indicating your conduct You
viii proceed TO this place and await further Or
ders.
(Signed)
JONAS SIMONDS."
Captain Bennett has surrendered himself 10
arrest aud will ofcourse be tried by court mar.
Lai.