Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-06
From the Federal Republican.
THE MASSACRE AT BALTIMORE.

narallelin perhdy and cruelty to the late trans
actions at Baltimore. Admonlshed by the
manner in which our Office was first destroyed
that no support to our rights was to be ex-
nec+ed from the civi. or military authorities,
whose duty it was to afford 1t we had no
alternative but to prepare to defend ourselves
on the establishments of the paper on Monday
Tn orr last we stated that with this view we
had seasonably provided the dwelling house
Of one of the proprietors, with defensive means
and that we were honored with the voluntary
aid Of a band of heroes, some OF whom had I'M
parted lustre to distinguished stations IN inc
army of our revolution. 1t would>be no easy
task to find in an equa. Number engaged IN a
similar undertaking, SO much public and prl-
yate wofth-so many virtues, which adorn the
patriot of mature years, and which afford TO
the Younger the best pledge of rivalllng HIM.
AS was not unexpected, in the night OF the
day when the first number Of the paper appear
ed after FIVE weeks suspension, occasionea by
the former destruction, the mob made IT'S APP
pesrance and soon assaulted the house, win
the most formidable missiles In an instant,
the windows and front door were demolished,
and the mob attempted to rush ID. Ondef
these circumstances, when moments delay
would have been destruction to those who
were on the defensive, and after cautonary
notice had been afforded to the assailants, or
ders for firing wero given to the party appoint
ed to protect the lower story, winch vas done
to the number of or mnskets Here en-
sued partial suspension OF hostilltlcs by the
mob Had the party in the house continued
10 FIRE till they retreated and pursued them TIL
they dispersed, as might lawfully have neen
done. and which as most men think, ought TO
have been done, the persons and lives OF our
friends would have remained safe, the proper
ty unmolested, and lesson been given TO the
disorderly, which would not soon have lost Its
force. The laws of nature and OF society,"
sanctioned the employment OF the means
which were in our hands OF prostralng some
hundreds of>the miscreantS, assembled Tor the
purpose of plumber, and murder, aud the SUB
version of the most precious constitutional
privileges, but the suggestions OF humanity
prevailed with the veterans who commanded'
and they paid the price of their cIemency with
life itself The mob gaining fresh spirit from
the comparative impunity with which they had
hitherto acted, upheld by reinforcement OF
desperadoes and furher supply OF arms, con-
tinued the seige during the night. On the
ensuing morning the authorities Oh the city
urged our friends to consult the pubic tran
GUILTY. and spare the further eff'usion OF blood
by eyacuating the house, under pledges equal
" solemn with the occason that 1t should
not be violated, and that the most perfect Sc
curity should be- extended to their persons
In an evil hour, this insidious and fatal COM
promise of an unequiyocal right, which had
been maintained for IL hours, and which
might have been further supported with undl-
minished effect, was assented to, atter the
most strenuous opposition OF Mr.. Hanson.
The Mayor and Brigadier General OF Militia
were parties and the guarantees tor iulhiiing
the engagement. The place OF security as
signed for the moment, was the prison. "hl-
Their this brave band were marched unafmed
under the escort OF the militia
1t was not long before the slight degree OF
security and faith, which could attend the pro-
misses of men, through whose conhisahce anu
timidity, Baltimore had for weeks been an IN
resisting prey to the most unheard OF enorm!-
ties. was clearly unfolded The pledge 81
ven that the house should remain unvloiaed,
meyer attracted thought from those who had
made themselves its stipulated guardians
Accordingly it was soon piundered OF all Its
contents and afterwards demolished as tar as
its size and strength were not proof against
the patient and vigorous labeur OF the rabble;
| The other more precious pledge attracted
more attention, but ultimately shared the same
| fats-Through the day, demonstrations were
given ola positive determinationein the mob
| to break the prison, and massacre the gentle
men, who we're placed there for safety. This
occasioned militia force to be called out tor
! its protection, which in the evening, when
most necessary, was Withdrawn and dismissed
by the brieadier general. Every man, we be-
lieve, will make the same comment upon tnlS
proceeding of the person upon whom alone
i the best blood of the country, dlsarmed and
rendered defenceless at his instance, depended
! for security from massacre at the hands OF an
y Va N1If