Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-05-14
April 81.
A BRITISH SPY.

La times of danger it becomes the duty of
| every person feeling for the honor and Gre
dit of their country to be vigilant. Every
| appearance at the present, augurs that we
SHAH have a war this summer, with a pow
ertul and wary foe, whose known system Of
warfare is the most cruel and savage of a
ny practised 10y civilized nation. 70 ex-
cite to vigilance, we give publicity to the
| following statement although we do not
pretend to vouch for the truth of tive
met the individual mentioned, in the public
| road-he was re-headcd and his hair and
| beard wore the most ghastly appearance
the rags with which he was covered were
insufficient to cover his body, and in the
most dirty and tattersl order. IN fine we
never saw a more miserable looking object.
Although his countCnance wore not altogc-
thcr the wildness usual in maniacs--his ge-
neral appearance was that of the worst.
He was not calculated, to us, to induce a
suspicion of his being a Spy.
However, to the story. Eimorc, the Post
Rider from Matches to Nashville, states
that fellow who passed through this state
some time since, apparently lunatic, but
who stated he was a friendly Quaker and
going to preach to the people of Natchez,
went to George Colberts in the Chickasaw
nation, where he found deputies from four
nations Of Indians who had been long ex-
pecting him that on his arrival q council
was held, and he produced papers to the In
clans to know whether in case Of a war thew
would JOIN against the y. s. After some
consultation he was assured by G. Colbert,
that he would not OF any account forfeit
the friendship Of the whites; but the Che
rokees, Creeks and Choctaws gave him to
understand that if they could promise them
selves any success in such an event, they
would do their duty. With these observa-
tons he started to return and. came rs far
as Mr.. Smiths in Maury county, where he
was arrested as a suspicious person. Inter
rogatiOnS were put to him, some Of which
were answered in wild and unconnected
manner He stated he was refused perms-
sion by the Indians to so through their coun-
try that lac had nothing TO pay for his fare,
ard that the Indians cared nothing about
preaching and would give nothing for chart
ty.-Ihis was considered a reasonable aC-
count; but man present stepped forward
and swore that he knew the person present
that he was Simon Gerry, an Irishman,
who commanded the Shawanesc with the
Little Turtle Mt the defeat of General St.
Clair, and was now a half-pay British Co
loncl-that instead Of being fool, as he pre-
tended, he was a sensible and wealthy man,
and we'll educated. However, nothing cri-
minal could in the sequel be established a
gainst him, and he was suffered to depart.
When he arrived at Franklin, great de-
sire was manifested to again arrest him,
but his appearance bespeaking so much hui
mility, and no person being there to iden-
tify him, nothing was done, and he passed
through the state on to Kentucky, alledging,
he was going to Mad river, in Ohio, to join
his brethren, without further molcstation.
To the eager enquiries of many persons,
whose curiosity was raised, he made some
very shrewd remarks and if the state
mcnts OF various opinions could establish
guilt, he certainly was guilty.
p If the facts be as stated, VIC con but re-
greet that such scoundred should have es-
capped the punishment due to his audacious-
ness