The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-04-07

from them. If such were their orders, and if
il was their mtention TO execute them. To
this request Major Laval returned AN i'm
mediate answer, dated IN the same day at
Point-Peter, that he had no orders from his
government to act in a hostile manner a.
sainst the constituted authorities of East
Florida, and that he should not, therefore,
lnterfere IN any manner between them
Com. CAMPBELL did not answer the Span-
lsh Communicates letter until the next NOR
ning-his answer was dated on board Gun
Boat, No. =, at O'Clock on TUESDAY NOR
ming, In which he iniorms the CCnmandant,
that IN SO glorious q Cause that in which
the Patriots were engaged, he could not re-
main inactive, but should certainly aid them
with all the meansin his power; Observing, At
the same time, that he acted IL this manner
without any SPECIAL authority from hi2 go-
Sernment en- the su5jeCt.-iNmcd,atcly at
ter dispatching this answer, Commodore
CAMPBELL goo his Neet OF gun-Doats undcr
way, and about O'Clock brought them to
anchor immediately before the SNAIL fore and
town OF Amelia, with springs upcn their Ca
bes, and every thing in preparation TO FIRE
upon the Spaniards in case OF a rcfu sal to
surrender it. Several guns were then fred
by effect, which it was suppose,i we're in-
tended as signals for the Patriots to move
and at O'Clock on Tuesday afternoon, a
force am counting to about 90 men, under the
command OF Colonel ASHLEY, came down
Bells River IN boats, and landed Oh Amelia :
lsland--thc Spanish troops (about 8 or ] Q
men) were marched out of the garrison and
grounded their arms, the coumandant sur
rendered his sword to the patriot chief, the
Spanish flag was pulled down, and the ps-
triotic standard displayed in its stead. The
victorious commander of the Patriots after
wards offered to return Don LopEz his
sword, but the latter declined receiving it,
under evident feelings OF great emo.;on.--
The Spanish soldiers were thus Dispersed,
and the Patriots rested in quiet possession
that night.
On Wednesday mcrnng, company %
Rihensen, belonging to the u. 6. sI'ny, pro-
ceeded from the American SIDE Of the 81.
Mary s, under the command OF 4 lieutenant,
and accompanied by Gen. Mathews, of
Virginia; to Amelia when the Patriotic
forces, who had been increased by
re-'ntOrcenents 10 about $50 men, were
drawn up TO receive them and the place
was tormaiiy surrendered to the Aruerican
arms, The Patriot llg was now, in it's turn,
pulled down, and the American standard
hoisted in its place. So that, III the short
space OF twenty -four hours, the celebrst ed
lSlaDdof Amclia was in the separate posses
sion O. thiee sovereign & independent pow
ers. Previous to the American Rifcmen be-
ing sent over to Amelia Major Laval. had
been superseded in his command by Colonel
~
accounts for the difference OF conduct on the
part of the military
Ry the articles OF capitulatlon entered INTO
between the commander OF the Patriotic for
ces, and Don LOPEZ, the Spanish comman-
dant, 1t was stipulated that Island
should remain a free port, until the first of
May, 1913, and that all private property
should be inviolably respected. And so far 90
regarded the respecting of private property,
our Informant assures us the Revoutionists
strictly kept their word; every one being
allowed to pursue their avocaticns without
the least interruption. In the course of the
day, On Thursday, the Patriotic forces with
drew themselves from the island TO their for
mer encampment, and the Americans re-
manned i'll quiet possession Of Amelia.-It
was said, on Sunday, that the Revolutionary
army were Immediately to march to ST. Au-
CUISINE, tor the purpose OF taking possession
of that place also-but they will be likely to
meet with more esistancc there than thew
did at Amelia.
The y. S. brig VIXEN, Capt. GADspEn,
from this port, did not arrive at Amelia until
Thursday, when they tound the Americans
In quiet Possession of the place. Some a.
laril had been eKcited after the capitulati-
on, from report, that schooner, coming
with provisions for the Revolutionsts had
been intercepted by some Indians from the
interior @ Florida
Whether or not the American officers
have acted under the authority Of their 60
vernment, We think II highly probable that
the constituted authorities IL the Spanish CO.
lonies, who yet preserve their allegiance to
their lawful sovereign Ferdinand IN, will
retaiiate upon any Of our vessels which NAV
be tound IN their ports. We should SUP
bose that under existing circumstances our
trade With Havaun, &C. would be highly
dangerous. Courier.
SAVANNAH, March o.
II on Lila. frn,,, q Il L