Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-06

be centinel in his own camp "-ihat attempts
had been made to seduce his men from hlm
but that we might remain tranquil ontbis head,
as his men would not move step without him.
10 confirm US in this be quoted the following
circumstance that at the commencement OF
Gen. Matthews engagement for this rebellion,
he applied to him Major I.avaD for detaeh-
ment 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
| the, would not march except he went at their
head Major Laval said, finally, that every
means had been tried to induce him to en-
bark in this business with the U. S. Troops,
| but said that be had steadily refused every OF
fer on the subject, as he conceived that Gen.
Mathews conduct had been such as could not
meet the appreciation 0! a great nation-Ma-
| Tor Laval then retired and wrote the letter
that we delivered to you this morning; his
conduct to us was frank and manly. We a.
gain Joined Gen Mathews, with whom we met
Brigadier-gen. Floyd of the Georgia nation.
Gen Matthews told us he had Instructions
from his government to receive Last FLORIDA,
or any part of it, from the local authorities ];
or if he had positive information that power
were about to take possession OF 1t, he was
authorised to take it by force OF arms. we
enquired, whether he conceived the tew lndi-
viduals now in rebellion ag7aast their govern
ment to be the local authorities To whlch
| Unanswered, Yes; and added that he had posi-
! sitiye information that the English were about
| sending Two Black Regiments here. We en-
Toured from what authority lie derived his in
formation, and were informed that it was from
person resident in Georgia, who was under
stoood to be halt pay British officer.
Gen Mathews then ordered his Secretary,
/! (Col. Isaacs)t to read Us treaty that he had
/ arranged with NJ 'lntosh, (the chief Of the IN
surgents) which appeared to us only to con-
tain in detail, the articles mentioned in Ash
| ley's letter of yesterday.
Before coming away, we informed General
Matthews that this was in fact an American
| invasion, that the greatest part OF the people
! 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
countenance and support from it, for only one
week, we would engage on your part that the
Island of Amelia should be put into their pos
| session quietly at the termination of the week,
| if we had not before that time driven the In
| surgents out of the province.
We then proceeded to Lows, in Bell's Ri
| yer, where we Were met by MIntosh, Ashley
| and Cook; we delivered your letter to Ash
ley, and informed the party that you could not,
| and would not, on any consideration, surrender
| the island TO them. After much uninterestng
conversation, it was mutually agreed that II
Gen Matthews would treat on behalf OF the
| y. S. you might honorably enter into treaty
| with him. They agreed that general Ma
thews should be there by 10 o'clock this
| morning, and we agreed that yoa should ell
Their appoint commissioners to meet him by
| he time appointed, or that you Should dlsa
vow the arrangement and give him notice
thereof
We tken proceeded Immediately to this
place, and informed you verbally OF our pro-
ceedings.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedi-
! ent servants,
>u. y JOSEPH JEFFERSON,
loiSne") JOSEPH III. ARREDONDA.