The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-08-20
FROM WEST FLORIDA.


Governor Claiborne has returned to New
Orleans, after having had an interview
with Col. Maxent. Instead of the interview
being solicited (as it was solicited by
Maxent) for the purpose of negotiating for
the delivery CT Mobile, it is known that it
was respecting the passage of the Gun
Boats up Mobile river.
why cur government does not take pos
session OF Mobile, we are at loss to know.
as we are assured on good authority, that
tor week past the troops and citizens of
Mobile have been daily looking for the
troops from this place to take possession of
IT, as they ara determined to deliver it up
before they exchange half dozen Of
shots -PRooF-Whcn the Gun Boats ap
Ipeared off Mobile, declaring nessage to
their passage was sent to the commander
OF them-great hustle and preparations
were observable in the fort-an additional
battery erected-matches kept burning-&
in appearance, every preparation made for
bloody resistance to their passage. Now
look at the result When the Commandan,
discovered that the Gun-Boats were deter
mined to pass or be sunk, council of the
Spanish officers was held, and they conclu
ded-that they must permit the Gun-Boats
to pass unmolesled.
The Spanards got it by fighting, and by
a she1v OF the same, will they deliver i, up.
Great murmurs prevail amongst the Cit
zens residing 90 the Mobile river and its
tributary streams, on account OF the priva
tions which they suffer by [. the Spaniartls
Keeping possession OF it. It's imporl ance 10
this country and our adjacent neighbors in
the adjoining States. renders; il an object
worthy the attention Of our National Govern
ment. Harrassed, as our citizens are who
trade down the river, that, should our go.
vernment not do something shortly, we
would not be surprised to see our MILITIA
hoist the American Eagle on the ramparts
OF Fort Charlotte before nine months +,
| Several detachments OF Uni,ed Stales'
troops have lately arrived at the Canton
ment near Washington. M L. which in
military appearance, attention to duty, and
knowledge in tactics. are inferior TO none :;
among them, is detachment commanded by
Colonel Boyd from Boston another by 1t.
Col. Purdy from Tennessee, and two others
| by captains Johnson and Helms from New.
York and Pennsylvania From the number
] of troops lately arrived in this quarter, and
tn cir holding themselves in readiness to
take the field at a moments notice some
thing OF i'm orta nee is certainly in agitation.
To hold West Flo. ida, we never doubted
but we think that our government intends,
should any foreign troops be landed at Pen
sacola or Mobile, to take possession of Mo-
bile and East Florida.
With pleasure we announce the exeeDtion
OF the Pascagouia Parish. as far as the Per-
dido river. and that Governor Claiborne is
appointing civil officers therein This Pa
IRISH extends in front. upwards of seventy
miles, and by this extention, the Spa
niards in Mobile are compelled to exercise
their authority within very contracted Ii
mits.
We are sorry to announce that the troops
stationed at Baton Rouge are sickly. & that
several have lately died
Lieut.. Colonel Collel has resigned his an
pointmcnt as Commandant of Mobile. as
well as his military office. On quitting the
Spanish service, he also leaves the Span
ish government--as he sails to Orleans in
few days. At present he will be sue
ceeded as Commandant, by Capt. Perez.
Mobile Centinek