Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-09-13
From, a resteeta6ie Gentleman to Colonel
Hu9pkins.


From reshectabie Gentleman to Colonel
Ha7vkms.
Fort SToDDERT, 18th Aug. 1873
Before the receipt of your favor, hume
rous circumstances had satisfied us of our
danger he robbery of the mail, the flight
"t Alexander Cornels, the burning of the
house of James Cornefs, the plunderiny of
Manac, the murder of the Indian who was
his friend, his own narrow escape, the de
velopement of the plans of the Insurgents
by High headed Jim to Mr.. Manac under
the expectation OF his joining them, the ex
petition OF 800 warriors 10 Pensacola for
the purpose OF procuring ammunition under
recommendation from Canadian Gene
raj and finally the abandonment of the half
breed settlements and their taking refuge
moug us, all tended to convince us that the
season OF hostility was near at hand and
tIat we must depend on ourselves for safe
tY- Universal CONSERVATION therefore per-
vaded the settlements on these waters-
muitltudes or the people abandoned their ha
citations and their farms, and sought refuge
IN temporary forts. Cries for arms and
ammunition echoed from every part of
the country to Mobile, and capt. Wilkinson
Nehtureo, without any express authority e.
supply the people to the extent of his abli
ties believe that there are now upwards
OF twenty forts on the Tombigby and Ala,,
ma. AS 1t was reduced to demonstration
that the Indians had gone TO Pensacola for
ammunition, and that they intended to use
II Tor our destruction, it was thouuht iustiia.
b'e to endeavCr TO arrest them IN their pro-
Sress Indeed thought So myself. About
lfo men therefore went out TO intercept
them on the road, accompanied by some of
more miseraby managed. The officers. I
mean the field officers, were totally made
qaate both as to skill and Courage for sach
an enterprise. The men in consequence of
personal timidity and laundering orders,
were presently thrown into confusion.-
"o thirds ofthem fled, aud the remainder
sustained the Conflict nearly two hours, and
many oil those III consequence of their per
severance lost their horses The Indians
lost about 200bs. of powder and some o.
tner artlcios--but Our loss in horses, sad
dies, &c. was much more considerable.-
The present of the Spanish Governor to NJ.
Queen and his party amounted TO about
> 2OOO-not less than 20 barrels of flour.
- OF CORP, so blankets, quantity of knives
razors, scissors and about IOO0lbs. of pow
der with aproportonate quantity of lead.
We are now looking Tor visit every
day, and troops have been distributed i'm va
rious paros to receive the invaders.-Should
'hey however come in body, we Cannot
stand against them.
Gen. Claiborne will do his best. and
have much reliance on him. Governor
Holmes assures me of his utmost exertions.
lie will be able to furnish us, he thinks with
four companies OF infantry and two of ca
valry expect to see him soon at my house.
Cen flournoy will afford us more help if ne
cessary. have received two letters strong
~ expressive OF his anxiety to protect US
But he doubts his authority to enter into
the Indian territory.
Could vigorous effort be made from
Georgia, Tennessee and this Territory. g
very adherent Of the rebciIious party, might
be expelled from the nation, and the legjti.
mate government be re>established on n
footing honorable to themselves and advan-
tageous to the United States"
The Governor at Pensacola intimates
as an apology for supplying the Indians. thar
L had Been the annual custom of his Ca
tholic Majesty. This is a custom which
have not been acquainted with, and ru
nors, at least, which / have heard from
line to time are clearly incompatible with |
L"
az In our opinion, IL is matter Of Indifference
whether It has or has not been the annual custom
It the Spanards to supply the Indians with munti-
'ns % war The only question is mil our govern.
1snf siger such custom TO be brasfised al q time
IKE his? We have hesitation IN saying IL shouid
iot--of course, IL 7piH not.
How ungrateiu are nations towards each other |
When BowIes, the noted British Emissarv had well
Ugh involved His Catholic Majesty in war wit |
he Creeks, we generously intcr,oscd and wardc, |
II The blow that vas meditalc against him. Not s
'ith SPAN. She eDdcavors by every means in he |
,oWer 70 stir up tie indians against Us and promo,,
saheeton among our slaycs--But why muItipl,
acts lis not Spain the ally Of G.. Britain, occupca
y her troops, and as much dependent upon he |
'ower and influence as IL she we're a component sec
'on Of her Empire Does sire not BY her pretendcI
'entral character enable the enemy, By suppiyir,
nm with the means not otherwise to he obtained
prosecute to an almost indefinite extent the war
'hIoh We are engaged To the trade carried o. |
etween us and tie allies Of G. r.. most Of our fai
res during the last and present campaign are to h.
'cribed-a trade which operates exclusively To- a.,
"n OF the interior agricuItursIist, and is only pr
-
The Indians state their loss to be SID