Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-04-13

1iSCuATSSo iot wv 49, .y~,a
Guard all day.-Tho British are closs g.,
by: by report, they committed aleao.u'
depredations Yesterday. This news az
rived here by several vessels winch TAN
in here last night.
Extract sfa letter to one O the 6afo's'
dated Elktsn, AfrH ..
81 this moment heard a copy OF le'- :
ter read from member of the Deieware
! Legislature, dated yesterday mornings
to neighbor Of the gentleman IN wnose
hands this copy was, stating taa: W." w
messengers bad arrived there wi.nlh ~
hours from i .ewistowD, and that the TO
vernon had left there before this genie
| man had written-The substance OIL rue
news brought by the expresses was tna.
on Tuesday the British had rene"eu
their request Of Bullocks and Wa,ef'
which wa. refused; upon which tney
| commenced firing upon the town, anu
that after having fred few shots, 'hey
sent flag to renew thei: demands ana
were again denied; upon which tney
commenced the second time, and having
wasted more powder and ball, another
flag was sent on shore with reqaess
that the women and children should be
sent out of town; to which the commas
der returned for answer, that he posses
sed sufficient gallantry to protect at all
| times the ladies'.
| &" Upon the receipt Of the first ex-
nress, the Governor had left Dover fer
| the seat of action The letter did not
state what or whether any damage had
been done"
The following intelligence, from the
Wilmington Waterman Extra, ccnhrms
the facts mentioned in the letter to one
| of the editors of the American.
W1LM1NeroN, April 8.
The following important intelligence
was received this morning by express
from Dover.
Dcver, .dhrA Z.
Dear Sir-The following are copies
of two dispatches received; the one at
| o'clock and tho other at 9 o'clock this
morning, by the governor, from Colonel
Davis, commanding at Lewlstown. You
will no doubt give them immediate pub
| licity. 5. II. bLACA.
Head Quarters, Le7yis, .Ahr! S
Sir-This evening the Belvidcra and
two small vessels came close into Lewis,
and commenced an attack by firing Sc
yeral 80 ID. shot into the town, which
have been picked up; after which flag
was sent, to which the following reply
was returned:
Sir-In reply to the renewal ofyoHr
demand, with the addition for supply
of water l have to inf,rm you that nei.
Their can be complied with. This, sir,
you must be sensible Of; therefore l
must insist the attack on the inhabitants
of this town is both wanton and cruel"
| / have the honor to be, &C.
S. B. DAVIS, col. com.
Head-Quarters, Lewis, AtrH s,
Sir-Since the reply to com. Berries
ford's letter, which | communicated to
you by express, received the following
| about o'clock:
Z" Belvidera, of Lewis, sc.
&" Sir-No dishonor can be attached
in complying with the demand of sir ].
Berresford to Lewis, in consideration of
his superior force. must, therefore,
consider your refusal to supply tbs
squadron with water and the cattle that
the neighborhood affords, most cruel on
your part to its inhahi,ants.--I erieve
for the distress the women and children
are reduced to by your conduct, and
earnestly request they may be instantly
removed.
/ have the honor to be SC.
R BYRON, capt.
~" The Attle will be nonorably paid
for. S. B. Davis, esq col. CON-"
To which I have returned the follow
ing reply verbally, THAT col. DAYS is
gallant man. and has already taken
care of the ladies'"
The attack Immediately commenced
and continued until near 10 o'clock.
The FIRE from our battery silenced one
of their most dangerous gun boats, a.
gainst which directed the fire from our
l8 pounder--tor which direct you
will immediately send me a supply of
shot and powder, as it is uncertain how
long the bombardment will continue
They have not succeeded with their
bombs in reaching the town F; and the
damage from their S2's and canister
cannot be ascertancd until day light
Ihope, sir, in this affair you will find
the honor of the state has not been tar.
nished.
have the homer to be. &c.
S. B. DAVIS, col com.
~ While writing the above the G.
nemy has commenced firing.
His Excellency Joseph Haslet.