Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-04-13

my" oNa'SS Wouiu NC CIhptOveu 10 alu the
'ebeis iii their understandable attempts "a
,amst Province belonging to the King of |
opain-and requiring a declaration from
them, II such were their orders, and if it was |
their intention to execute them. To this re- |
quest major Laval returned an immediate |
answer, dated on the same day at Point Pc
ter, that he had no orders from his govern
ment to act in hostile manner against the
constituted authorities of East Florida, and
that he should not, therefore, Interfere in any
manner between them. Com. Campbell did
not answer the Spanish commandments letter,
until the next morning-his answer was dat
ed on board Gum Boat, No. -, at z o'clock
on tuesday morning, in which he informs
the Commandant, that in so glorious cause
as that in which the patriots were engaged,
he could not remain inactive, but should Ger
tainly aid them with all the means i'm his
power-observins at the same time, that he
acted in this manner without any special au-
thorlty from his government on the subject
Immediately after dispatching this answer,
Commodore Campbell got his fleet of gun
boats under way, and aboet 9 o'clock brought
them to anchor Immediately before the small
tort and town of Amelia, with springs upon
their cables, and every thing in preparation
to lire upon the Spaniartls in case of a refu-
sal to surrender it. Several guns were then
hred by the fleet, which it was supposed
were intended as signals for the Patriots to
move--and at O'Clock on Tuesday after
noon. force amounting to about 60 men, un-
der the command of Col. Ashley, came down
Bells river in boats, and landed OH Amelia
lsland-the Spanish troops (about or 10
mem eNSere marched out of the garrison and
grounded their arms, the commandment sur
nc ,n1 ~, tl.,,@ 49, -
spanish flag was pulled down, and the pa
triotic standard displayed in its stead. The
victorious commander of the Patriots after
wards offered to return Don Lopez his sword,
put the latter declined receiving it. under G.
Vloent feelings OF great emotion. The Span
ISM soldiers were thus dispersed, and the pa
trlts rested IN quiet possession that night.
On wednesday morning, a company of
hinemcn, belonging to the United States ar
my, proceeded from the American side of
the St. Mary's, underline command OF lieu
tenant, and accompaniment by Gen. Matthews,
OF Virginia, to Amelia--when the patriotic
forces, who had been increased by reinforce
ments to about $50 men, were drawn up to
receive them--and the place was formally
surrendered to the American arms. The
patriot flag was now in its turn pulled down,
ana the American standard hoisted in its
place. 30 that, III the short space of "a hours.
the celebrated island Of Amelia was in the
separate possession of three sovereign and
independent powers. Previous to the Anne
rlcan Kltiemen being sent over to Amelia,
major Laval had been superseded in his COM
mand by col. Smyth, from Eireinia-this
circumstance accounts for the difference of
conduct en- the part of the militia.
ny the articles of capitulation entered in
70 between the commander cf the patriotic
forces, and Don LOPEZ, the Spanish com
mandant, it was stipulated that Amelia Is
land should remain a free port until the first
OF May, 1913, and that all pirate property
should be inviolably respected. And so far
as regarded the respecting of private proper
ty, ourinformant assuresus the revolutionists
strictly kept their word every one being al
lowed to pursue their avocations without the
least interruption. In the course of the day.
on Thursday, the patriotic forces, withdrew
themselves from The island to their former
encampment, All the Americans remained
III quiet possession of Amelia. 1t was said,
on Sunday, that the revolutionary army were
immediately to march for st. Augustine, for
the purpose of taking possession OF that place
@iso-~bat they will be likely TO meet with
more resistance than they did at Amelia.
The United States brig Yiaen, CAPTAIN
Amela until Thursday, when they found the
Americans in quiet possession of the place
Some alarm had been excited after the ca
pltulation, from report. that schooner,
coming with provisions for the revolutionis,s
mad been intercepted by some Indians from.
the interior of Florida.
Whether or not the American officers
have acted under the authority Of their eo-
verhment, we think it highly proboble that
the constituted authorities in the Spanish CO.
lonies, who yet preserve their allegiance to
their lawful sovereign Ferdinand IN. viii,
iStallate upon airy of our vessels which NAV
be found in their port. We should suppose
that under existing circumstances our trade
with HAVANA, &c. would be highly danger
ous
For ourselves, feeling as we do for the Dig
nifty and honor of our country, we must re-
TRAIN at present from expressing our senti
ments upon this transaction-we will leave
1t to our democratic bI ethren, who have in
weighed with so much feeling and effect upon
the attack on Copenhagen, to furnish a iasti-
hcation Tor the part which the Americans
have taken in this Courier.
The. following is The Patriotic Riag-a
zohite .feid, on which is reflre8ented soldier
~ IRE acf " chargiHg 6agoneE--zvith me mot
to--S.4LUS PoPULI-LBX SOPRE-
MI
March 81.
LATEST FROM EAST-FLORIDA.
In addition to the information which we
nave heretofore received from that quarter.
We learn by Capt. BAKER, of the Lope/y
LGss, tna. ,he ReVolutionists having possess
go thsmselyc I Amelia-Is!and, left $50 men
tor It's protection, and proceeded 70 take pos
session Of three SINAI. Fortresses erected on
rl0 River 81 TcbuSe ,,-.,,,. -.