Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-09-30
VAR ALARM.
NEwsoprC Sen,

NEWPORT, Sept. lo.
On Sunday evening the 9Th ins: this
town was alarmed by accounts received
.hrougb several channels, that squad
ron of encmy's frigales were off this har-
Dor, and bad solicited pilot to conduct
them in. The weather being thick, they
could not be discerncd from the land,
but had been distinctly seen by the gun
boats and some coasters. The neccssa-
nv measures were Immediately concert
ed between major gen. Sheldon, and col
xinesbury, the respective commandments
Of the state and y. States, OH this sta
ton. Orders were issued By the ma jor
general, for the calling out the whole of
the militia which orders were obey ed,
and executed with promptncss and dis
patch. The artillery co,srsny of the
town Of Newport, under the command
of that respectable and skilful officer
captain Benjamin Fry, and the four iii
li,is companies under the commands of
of captAinS Pearcc, Coe, North and
Waite, were all paraded in the course of
y an hour, and marc he'd Immediately to
the. several posts respectively assigned
81 them, and in the course Of a few hours
1.-Two csmpanie. from Portsmouth and
#Fery numerous company from Middle
/ town marched into town. The whole of
ths militia under the immediate COM
nsnd of colonel Stall, remained under
arms during the night. The Z States
troops under captain House occupied as
usual fort Woicott, and the volunteers
who had previously been stationed at
fort Adams were reinforced by captain
Pearcc'S company ot HIiIitia.-ThG az
tillcry company occupied an advanta-
geous post Oh Brenton's neck. The 40
silla of gun boats, led by captain Oliver
II Perry were stationed by that jndici-
Gus officer in the manner best calculated
TO support the several batteries and to
annoy the enemy, should they sttempt
to enter the harbor.-This species Of
defence, although not in our opinion the
only kind proper to bs erected" we
do not hesitate TO say may be Ill many
places proper component part of de-
fensive systsm-and in tins harbor, I'M
der the active and vigilant command Of
Captain Perry, we cen6dt in til eir af-
forcling no inconsidersble protection.
The different corps and every indivi-
dnal IN each seemed on the late occasion
- sic with each other in spirit, prompt
tuae and obedience. Personal aA:mosi-
ties and parry distinctions, suhs:ded and
we're forgot!en-i hcv remEE;I cred OILY
thS: they were all Americans, AMI how
ever many may condemn tho war a. un-
necessary and unlsst, ali were equally
vesoly ed to protect and defend the town
from foreign INVASION. Even the pride
Of military rank, which has Sc often ope-
rated to defeat the best concentrated
operations, was superCeds! by still no.
bier pa.sion--the love OF country. the
measures for defence were speedily and
We believe judiciousIy concentrated be-
tween the respective commandments, and
were as promptly and precisely executed
by the subordinate officers.
Although the enemy either had other
designs than to modest our peace, o: sub
segncrtly changed his purpose, bis APP
pearanee was Just cause of apprehen-
sion; and we hope the military will not
regret the alarm as unnecessary.-We
may expect frequent repeutions OF the
same scenes 10 the course of the wa,
Saould It continue for any great length
Of time, and although we nope they may
always DC as groundless, it is not impro
liable they may at some time be serious
In such case. that they be not disastrous
must in our present situation dePend
apoo the same union, sPiri, and activity
Which distinguished :he late occasion.
We will be ever ready, ever willing to
tura out, and we trust that should the
enemy have the temerity to enter cur
harbor, or attempt'a landing he will ind
cause to repent his rsshness.