The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-05-01

hapi'lS no ias!ructioHs To that effect"
No. 8. is Ok ZOO interesting complexion
to be abridged:
I,iessrs. j.. iii66erson and =. .frredonda to
Ghe Comnsandant IF -imeia Isiand.
Fernandina, l7th Mar ch, 1872, = o'clock,
II. NJ.
Don JUsro LoPEz,
DEAR SIR,
Inproceeling to execute your orders, yes
terday, we were on the point of embarka-
tion when we were informed that general
Mathews had left the camp of the insur-
gents OH Bells River, and was at that mo-
ment at the American Camp at Point Peter
we therefore altered our route, and pro-
seeded first to Point Peter, from whence
we went to the insurgents by the way of Jol-
ley River and returned to this place soon af-
Ger midnight.
We were received at Point Peter by
a captain of the Rife Corps, who conduct
cd US to the lines. We informed him we
had letter for the Commander of the A
merican forces and that we were a loss
whether to present it to General Mathews
or Major Laval. He informed MS, that the
latter was the Military Commander. but
that if we were on public business, he pre-
sumed our mission was to the former he
conducted us to Gen. Mathews, to whom we
exhibited your letter, & were informed that
The General added, that he was Commits
sioner on the part of the United States for
taking possession of Florida, and that he
should be happy to receive and answer any
questions from US. A conversation was then
commencing, when Major Laval, arrived
from his quarters we presented TO him
your letter, and were invited to accompany
him--he said he could have no commune
cation with us at the place we then were in
at Noso Ia oil
Informed us that the conduct cf Gen. Ma
thews had placed him in a most unpleasant
and extraordinary SITUATION" that he was
obliged to be a Centinsl iii hs own camp"
that attempts had been made to seduce
his men from him, but that we might re-
main tranquil on this head, as his men would
not move step without him. To confirm
as in this, he quoted the following circum
stance that at the commencement of Cen
eral Mathews engagement for this rebel
lion. he applied to him (Major Lava) for a
detachment of the u. S. troops to assist in
taking st. Augustine by surprise, and that
his men having heard of it, came to him and
declared they would not MARCH except he
went at their head. Major Laval said,
finally, that every means had been tried to
Induce him to embark in this business with
Y. :. Troops, but said that he had steadily
refused every offer on the subject, as he con-
been such as could not meet the appreciation
sf great notion.-Maior Laval then retir-
sd and wrote the letter that we delivered
20 you this morning his conduct to Us was
frank and manly. We again joined Gene
ral Mathews, withwhom we met Brigadicr-
general Floyd of the Georgia nation. Gen
sral Mathews told us he had instructions
srom his government to receive East Flori-
aa, or any part OF it, from the local
authorities; or if he had positive informati-
On that power were about TO take pos
session OF 1t, he was authorised to take it
by force of arms. We enqured, whether
he conceived the few individuals now in re-
beilion against their government to be the
local authorities? To which he answered,
Yes; and added that he had positive infor-
NATION that the English were about sending
awo Black Regiments here /. We epquired
from what authority he derived his iDforma-
tion, and were informed that it was from q
person resident in Georgia, who was under
stood to be half pay British officer. =.
General Mathews then ordered his sscre-
Sary, (Col. lsaacs) to read us a treaty that
he had arranged with M'Intesh, (the chief
Of the insurgents) which appeared to us only
to contain in detail, the articles mentioned
IN Ashley's letter of yesterday.
Before coming away, we informed general
Mathews that this was in fact an American
INVASION, that the greatest part OF the peo-
pie in arms against US were Americans,
brought over under his guarantee of 500
acres of land to each man, that if he would
withdraw his CountepanCe and support
from 1t, for only only one week, we would
engage on your part that the island of Anne
Liza should be put into their possession quietly
at the termination of the week, if we had
not before that time driven the INSURGENTS
cut OF the Province.
We then proceeded TO Lows, in Bells
River, where We were met BY MIntosh,
Ashley and Cook we delivered your letter
TO Ashley, and informed the party that you
couid not. and would not, on any consdera-
tion, surrender the island to them. After
much unintcresting conversation, it was mu>
tualiy agreed that if Gen. Mathews would
treat ON behalf OF the u. >. you might hone
rah!y enter into treaty with hin. They
agreed that general Mathews should be
there by 10 O'Clock this morning, and we
agreed that you should either appoint COM
rissioners to meet him by the time aps
pointed, or that you should disavow the az
ranscment and give him notice thereof.
We then proceeded Immediately to this
place, and informed you verbally of our
proceedings.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your ODE
dent servants,
(Signed) JOSEPH JEFFERSON,
JOSEPH III. ARREDONDA.
No. Q. from l.. Ashley to ID. Lopez, date
18th March says, that Gen. Matthews will
meet him at their X. q. Tie next morning {: