Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-25

morning With this exception, that on Nom
day morning Capt. Porter allowed me the
liberty OF walking within the limits of the
Camp. Capt. Porter sent me refreshments
aud twice visited me, IN my tent The first
tme he apologised Tor the steps he had been
forced Z take in consequence Of information
given him At the fort. That he had no ami
mostly towards me. or my nation, and that
it was a painful duty he had to perform. -
That my connection with Mr.. Patton who
was in England was one of the grounds OF
the arrest. That he had since understood
the respectable character supported in A
lexacdria. and regretted my situation, hu,
that he bad reported my case to the Score,
tary of War. and must avail, his decision,
as he could do nothing without his special
| orders--No orders having arrived, the na.
rine corps, on Tuesday the 5th of Septem
Der conveyed me to Washington and Lieut..
Richardson OF that corps delivered me {,
lthe Deputy Marshall by whom was con-
lducted to jail on Tuesday evening about Z
lo'clock. There remained until Friday es
I, lveninc about O'clock, when the Marshal
4 came and saidI was liberated by order OF
the Secretary of War. only spoke to S
J persons at the Fort and these were from A
lesandria who could give me no sort of in
formation about the military preparations
IL had even been disposed 10 have asked
: them ;bnt this did not do and contented
; myself with looking at two British vessels
above the Fort and &C the guns on the hate
, ry, for the few minutes was there before
was arrested.
As to being stopped by the guard on dut,
and offering them my purse to let me es
cape, they are absolutely false: Asis the
tale of the centinel reporting me to an off
!cer. ss.
My person was never searched, but az
ter ] got into tent at the camp about an
hour after my arrest. Capt Gvaysou of The
marines came to me aud asked IL had any
I papers about me, pulled out all I had.
offering the whole, but he politely said he
would not meddle with any relating to my
private affairs. and desired me to pick then,
out. I.said they were all of that description
4 except passport from the Mayor, author
! izing the gentleman before mentioned and
me TO proceed on board the Commouore, 8,
! save il possible the old vessels. We went
on boa d as have stated, and the passport
remained in my pocket. This delivered
| to Capt. Grayson together with another pa
per which he did not consider as of any CON-
sequence-----but as TO any. sketches of the
camp or papers relating To military operati.
ons, there was not a vestige of either.--a.
These are tia tacts;n this extra ordinary case
and they canbe FULLY substantiated when ne,
cessary. The information given to Captain
Porter was by a person of Alexandria. as /
have good reason TO believe.
You have long kaown me, and many of
the respectable citizens of this place for the
whole period have lived in It, but / am
well assured that neither you nor any one
of ihem ever suspected me of a character 70
betray the interests of this country, either
by acting as a spy or giving any sort of H.
telligence To the enemy. My principles and
habits have ever been diametricaIly oppo.
site to such a conduct which hold in utter
abhorrence.' ~