The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-06-09
JOHN II. MINrosH. Chairman.
FROM FLORIDA.

y
JOHN II. MINrosH. Chairman.
FROM EAST FLORIDA.
A letter from an Officer in Florida, da-
ted at the Camp before St. Augustine, on
the 18th ult. received at the office of the So
hannah Republican, contains the following
Information concerning a late Skirmish i'll
Florida -
Il arrived before ST. Augustine on Tues
day last. An Affair took place on that
morning between the Spaniards and the
picket guard of the Patriots ; but the Dons
would not so beyond the cover of their line.
"On Thursday a boat was reported 60
ing up the creek on which our advanced
guard was posted. 1t seemed, from her
maneuvres, that she wished to ascertain
whether we would permit her pass by
unmolested, by which she could have got in
to the rear of the Patriots picket. Our
guard was reinforced, and a disposition ma
infested to dispute the pass. She had six.
FOUNDER mounted in her bow. On arriving
within about five hundred yards of Moosa,
"a house 6uN of'a Peculiar kind Of ROCKY
she retreated and fired. The centinel re-
turned the fire.
&c Yesterday morning an armed schr. was
seen under way, making Cor the North Ri
ver. AT the same time four launches, fill
led with men, and mounting six Founders,
were discovered going up the creek, towards
Moosa. The schooner opened her fire up
on our advanced guard, which had been re-
mforced by detachment of rifiemen under
the command of Captains Woodruff and
Massias, and Lieutenant Appl:ng-Colo-
mel Smith gave orders that they should
| maintain their post until the enemy's fire
should penetrate the walls of Moost, and
then retreat, leaving a detachment of fifteen
| men concealed in the house.
The twentysecond shot Ga "a pounder)
passed through both walls, covering the
men with dirt. The grape was distinctly
heard rafting against the walls. The de-
tachment retreated. agreeably to orders,
| leaving the party Of fifteen. 1t was expec-
led that the Spaniards. seeing the retreat
would Immediately, under cover of the fire
from the schr. advance in their launches,
when our concealed men might pour in a
dreadful fire. The stratagem would have
taken effect but. unfortunately the sergeant
left in command fire too soon, and the OBJ
ject of ambuscade failed.
| AS soon as possession was had of Moo
lsa, they (the Spahiards) set fire to it, and
Sretreated with their boats to the schoouer.--
heir twenty-fours were then opened upon
, our lines, directed against the flag flying on
four parade. The shot fell in every direc-
tticn around US, passing through our tents,
and roofing up the parade ground. Fortu-
nateIy no injury has been received, with the
perception of a few tent, damaged.
! " After sustaining their fire nom II o.
o'clock until d, without the possibility of doing
them thc least injury. it was judged advise
liable to retire beyond the reach Of sheir
cannon.
I'VE xiously expect their Don-ships
in the field, where their gun boats can aft
ford them no assistance: We then will
give you good account of them Fro m
the skill displayed in the direction O
their guns or this occasion, and their bad
lieve, that artillerists were sent from on
board British brig of war now lying at A
melia.
Their boats and schooner retTeated be-
fore we left the ground, and our flag remain
ed flying until, sunset. We hear this NOR
ming, that the schr. has resumed her station
WASHINGTON, June 4.
Both Hous es of Congress have sat with
closed d oors the two last days; but their
sittings have not been of longduration.
Presidential ELection.-By an article in
another part of this paper it will be percei-
we'd that certain Members of the Legisla-
ture of New York have convened and no.
minated a candidate for the Presidency
Far be 1t from IS to question the right of a.
~ portion of the Pc pie to assemble and
express their opmlOn on the eXpedency OF
supporting one or another person as Candi-
dates for the great Offices of the state but
it cannot be forgotten that this nomination
+ President is made by the same party
which stigmatized as usurpers, the Repub-
mean meeting OF the Legislature in Virginia,
because they ventured TO recommend to
their fellow citizens fit persons to serve as
Electors at the ensuing election nor that
1t is made by the same party which prides
itself in its adherence to what it calls Re
gular Nomination. We mention this only
as evidence of Inconsistency, nor that we or
the friends of Mr.. Madison can desire to a
vail ourselves of such pleas. We do not C.
ven wish to rouse the indignation of Repub
licans against this project to diffuse that
distraction and division throughout the Ma
ton which the same party has already in
nor will we advert to that preco city of Am
bition which would climb to elevation and
power OH the ruins of every Principle here
tofore held sacred by the Republicans Of
the Union. These topics we discard, un-
less forced in self defence to strike chord
which vibrates so discordanty. On the re-
lative merits, of JAMES MADISON and
DEWITT CLINTON let the question stand
and to the people we cheerfully leave the
award, with the single remark, that the
mere pronouncing these names in the same
breath forces OIL our observation a contrast
so marked that we will not ut present trust
orr men In descr ibe ~