Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-31
FHca rAs SArIoNAL IxrsLLIczxcEx.
THE OCCUPATION OF MOBILE.
Adart ssed to The Elaors.
asos1Ls, April 90.

MOBILE, April %.
Mobile is now in the possession of the Anne.
rIcan government The American flag was
placed on the ramparts of fort Charlotte, (for.
meriy Fort Conde) on the fifteenth of the pre-
sen, month. The Spanish garrison might u ave
held outs considerable time, bat, destitute of
provisions, resistance was hopeless. An ample
supply Of both provisions and ammunition had
been forwarded from Pensacola but General
Wukinson had taken care, to stop it in the bay
OF Mobile. The mode in which he has conjuc.
ted the business of occupying this place, has
been attended with the most salutafy effects
1t was characterized by secrecy and efficiency,
and, IN consequence, not q lie has bcea lost,
nor An atom OF property endangered The
Spanish soldiers were furnished with provisi
ons out ct the american stores, and, accomom.
dated with vesseI n he employ of tie init
States, SGT sail for Psnsacola. Detained, how
ever, by contrary winds, they were unable to
get cut OF the BAY, and having extended their
small Store Of food, they have been obliged to
return, in order TO obtain from the American
general a fresh supply.
In the transfer of government in this town,
scarcely any restraint of personal liberty has
been experienced.
One fugitive from justice was indeed arrest.
ed, aud Spanish subject, whose behaviour
had been extremely violent aud outrageous on
the eve OF the. change, WAS taken into custody,
but even he, on .he appe france ofJudge Toui-
MIN, was speedily relieved on entering into r.
cognizancc TO kecp the peace and 10 be of
good behaviour This judge, lately 30 much
the object ofpersecution, on account of his zeal
TO save this town from illegal violence was inn
mcdiatey on the transfer OF jurisdiction selec-
ted, as it is said, By the unanimous sentiment
of the people OF this place, TO represent them
in tlc territorial Legislature.
Zen. Wilkinson is busily occupied in secur.
ing the territory Of which lie has taken DOS se.ss-
ion---iie proposed guarding the pass 1t the
mouth OF The bay, by battery to be erected at
Mobile point, and left town on Wednesday for
the purpose of examining the pass and deter
mining ON tie settle. Tic likewise proposes sta
tioning body Of troops at the Perdido. But
with all these precautions, so extensive is the
country and so exposed are the settlements up
he river, that ii the Spanards are bent on hos
tilItles, and can obtain the assistance of the In
dams, there is no possibility of giving security
to the inhabitants, without very considerable
addition to the present military establishment
III this quarter. fLat the governor of Pncsa.
cola will regard the occupation of Mobile as
an hostile act, there is every reason 70 believe
and late accounisirom that placeassGre US that
he has sent messenger with al, patches into
the Creek nation to invite the Indians down,
Tor the purpose Of joining him in war against
the American peopie.---It is also said that he
has just received fifteen hundred barrels Of
Hour, without which indeed invitations to the
Indians would be produeivs If little effect
Having lately received a reinforcement Of
colored troops from the Havana this whole
force IS said 10 amount to 1900, though con
less that am inclined TO believe that this es-
innate IS considerably exaggerated, nor am
absolutely certain that oyerturcs have been
made to tile lndians--though the manner in
Which the account comes seems to render II
uighly probable.
Hitherto, indeed. the conduct Of the Spani-
ards towards Indians applying for arms & am
munition, has, generally speaking, been pru
dent and pacific. This conduct may have been
the result Of pacific principles and friendly dis
positions, and hope it has been-but it may
also have been the result Of necessity, mas
much as they have really nothing to give'; or it
may have been the eiFectof policy, Of guarded
caution not to excite an alarm in the American
nation, until they were prepared to meet it. A