Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-04-14

seemed to be indignant ana Festiess at VIC
ittleness Of this business, they did not then
appear to wish TO commit any outrage on
tie person of Ford, otherwise than to ex-
press their contempt at his meanness nor
would anv thing further have been done,
had not Johnson, the deputy custom-hoUse
officer, of Cambridgeport, .(who had in the
mean time been in the custom house,) come
down with some apparent clustering ana
authority to take command OF the sleigh
and reguI ale affairs. And on its appearing
to the collection of people, already some
what irritated, that he was armed, with
two large horse pistols, one OF each project
ing out of each pocket no doubt with the
intention to intimidate, they became more
restless, and the writer observed that
number Of gentlemen appeared disposed to
hustle and althoughthis renowned champ
ron of the custom house retreated with all
dispatch possible. the writer verify believes,
he did not get wholly clear from the blows of
the sticks, that were nimbly exercised at this
time and in his retreat he appeared to tall,
and dropped one pistol from his pocket -
He, however, made good his retreat to the
custom house. The outrageous appearance
or this petty minion Of office, armed, ere.
ated an irritation in the people about the
custom house, and Ford and his horse suf.
fered in consequence--for the boys, by their
noise, frightened the horses and others strik-
ing them, they started and got into a full
run, the boys after them, and Ford hold
ing on to the reins, and attempting to get
into the sleigh, which he did not effect;
and by the time the sleigh arrived at India
wharf, he being exhausted with running,
let them GO The boys wish their shouts
and hooting, being close to his heels, he ran
into the store of Charles w. Greene. Esq
and claimed protection In dreadful alright
which Mr. Greene with iiberality assured
him he should have. This collection, which
at this moment was principally boys, kept
increasing, and the storm became general
The collection insisted that he should be
escorted on to the Exchange by the boys,
and who ever chose TO follow, with a motto
on his hat, printed in capitals, viz. cnt
an intormer'w which Ford submitted to. and
was ushered through the treets, cheerea
by the huzzas Of, say one or two hundred. !
We now give the statement of the Gus
tom house officer himself, which we find !
all the democratic papers are publishing, ,
bat WAC, as usual, have taken good care
30 give only one side of the story.
The following is the statement Of Mr.. |
JOHNSON, the custom house officer, made
to H. A, s. DEARBORN, Esq collector of
that port.
BosroN, Marh g.
" SIR-I received information that Jere.
miah Wetherby was on the road from Ca. !
NADIA, with goods which had been ntroduc-
ed into The United States contrary to law !
went to take possession of the same
Some conversation took place, told We !
therby had authority as a custom-house /
officer to examine his load. He asked me |
to shew him my authority, which did by |
reading my commission. His wife got out !
Wetherby said had no authority to search !
his load without Il warrant, and he would !
be damn'd if should. | examined it al. !
though Wetherby number of times clinch. !
ed ma, and forcbly endeavored to prevent |
me from so doing found trunk which |
contained apparently British goods, consist !
ing of broadcloths, silk, stockinets, shawls. !
cambrics and files. ask ed him if he had |
any certificate, and he did not produce any. !
| told him if be could produce certificate.
would give him up the goods, and he said |
lie would be damnd ii he would show me |
any, for had no authority to take them. |
then ordered Mr. Ford whom | had cal !
led on, to assist me to drive the team to the |
custom house. A number of men, from Is |
70 90 followed me, who assaulted and abus- J
ed me on the way.
When / reached tho custom house,
mob assembled Of two or three hundred !
people, who endeavored to rescue the team. |
and ! was struck number of times, but |
the load was taken out and put in the cum. |
tom house after which the mob took away |
The team, & Ford who was hustled, thump, |
ed and most grossly abused, amid loud huz- !
zas, which were continually repeated by
the mob, carried about the streets with
fcandalous labels placed on his hat, while
ne was pelted and outraged in most hor-
rid manner.
Last night, my house was surrounded by
a mob. VINO threatened me, and declared