Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-29
DOMESTIC.
from the Fedtrai Reeutiiean.

= Coz
We have received an interesting diary Of
The operations of the enemy from the time
Barney's Rotilla entered the Patuxent. Il
comes down to the 18th inst. but one inter-
esting letter referred to. has never come 90
hand. few extracts will be given, as ma
ny of the events described ate old.
june. 1lfh.--'rhe enemy landed FIVE com
panies of marines in parterson's heid--,ook
80 liogsheads Of tobacco belonging to Henry
Gardner, Esq. rolled them into the river and
burnt the barn. Patterson's land binds on
St. Leonard's creek. The enemy returned
at 4 p. M. oornt Patterson's dwelling. and
& other small :snses. The same scene 10
expected at Colonel Plater's tomorrow,
who will not leave his house, and is resolved
90 defend it If he can get assistance, but
not a file of men has been sent to assist him.
The regulars under Carberry have all gone
20 Calvert, where Barney lies secure and
cannot he aided by them. On this side of
the river the regulars would have preycnS
ted muca mischief.
June 12fb--Lieutenant Dickinson of the
Loire friga,e, Captain Brown, arrived with
flag at Col. piater's. He demanded beef,
saying, If furnished. the Coloners property
weuld not be injured, if refused, it would
be. Colopel Platter peremptoriIy refused.
character of a traitor, he would Ue bereft
of his last shilling and gibbetted. Suppose,
: SAID the colonel. one of our squadrons Occur,
pied a station on the British cast, with che
same power and disposition the British have:
here, aud similar demand was made upon
ore of his Majesty's subjects and he compii-
ed. what would be the public opinion of his
conduct ."
Lieutenant Dickinson He would be
considered Unsuitable upon the principle of
saving hisproperty which was in the power
of the enemy" He then offered to give go
yernment bills for provision. &
Colonel Plater-You will get none from
me, sir. The Colonel then expostulated on
the departure from liberal and generous
principles of war. in the scene of the day
previous, when Patterson's house was burnt.
He said with emphasis and spirit. I" such.
proceedings go to establish ferocions syss
tenn of warfare, unworthy of an enlightened
marion, ard which if retaliated would sub
stitnte to generous principles savage buc-
caneerins warfare, disgraceful to both ma.
tons" ~
Lieutenant Dickinson-Sir, my orders
are, to capture. sink, burn and destroy,
and On that ground acted yesterday.
Colonel PIater--Being naval force your
instructions must apply to property afloat,
such as vessels aud goods, or to Notifications,
but not to helpless, unprotected individuals,
residing ON the waters edge. without the
the means of annoyance.
Lieutenant Dickinson-I could wish the
war conducted differently. but it is unavoi
dabIe. Recoliect the conduct ofthe Ameri.
can troops at Fort George, Yorktown and
Newark.
Dickinson then made inquiries about Bar
ney's force. Colonel Platter answered by
making enquiries about the British force
Some conversation then passed about the ac-
ton with barney on Friday, in which the
Lieutenant acknowledged the loss Of two
men killed in his barges and five wounded.
He said Barney kept point of woods be-
tween him and the frisate. or he would have
been destroyed He spoke of reinfo-cements
Colonel Platter said we could reinforce with
artillery as fast az they could, Which he
admitted. but added, if Barney is not destroy
cd he will be useless. We should not have
come into the river but for Barney's notilla,
and il shall be destroyed.
Lieutenant Dickinson-Sir. 1 know you
have no militia force. and | have heard
you would have none.
Colonel Plater--" do not want an eff
cient force, but if such force is sent here
cannot help it. With few hundred men
could annoy your marines very much be-.
fore they could reach the house" He smi.
led aud asked for news and papers, in which
he was not indu'ged.
Lieut.. D.-What is the opinion of your
people as to Commodore Rodgers account
Of the force that threatened him off New
York;
Col. P.--In what way, don't understand
you.
Lieut.. D.--Why this frigate Of SO guns.
with little schooner captured the day be
fore were the lire of battle ships described
by the Commodore in his letter 70 the Score
tary Of the Navy. We made sail after him
believing it to be -, but Rodgers was too
quick .heeled.
Col. Pts Admiral Cochrane on this
station.
Lieut.. D.--No. He will soon be here
with formidable force ifthere is not peace,
We have sent a great force to Canada. The
tipbers of two frigates ready to put togeth.
er have been sent. Sir James win fight hard
for the command of the lake, and you can
not take Canada.
He departed, saying he should report t.
the captain, colonel P's determination.
Extract efa letter from a gentisnian of 81. Ma
rye to the Editor.
In former letter. you have had the re
suit of the enemy's operations, up to th'
18th inst. On that day four of Colonel Pla
ter's negroes went over to the enemy, ant
at 10 a. m. the next day the enemy com
nenced cannonade of his house, but with
out effect. At q p. IN. they landed in hi
field large force Of marines, between fou