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

III tlc SVuusOh IA eIc oheSA
noon. There was no variation between
Mr.. Weatherby's statements at the two tri-
ais. lie testified that lie was passing on
the cross road from Cragies 10 the main
road leading through Cambtidgeport,
where he resides. That when he was with
in about half a mile Of his house, johnson
and Ford ran out Of the brush by the way
side. Ford suddenly seized his horses and
johnson laid hands on his sleigh and goods.
saying that he was Custom House officer,
and claimed the whole. Weasherby re-
quested johnson to shew his warrant.
johnson had none but produced his com
mission from the Collector. Westherby
told johnson that he might take such goods
as he claimed; but lars wlie's situation be.
ing such that it was dangerous for her to
walk so great a distance, he said lie must
carry her and two small children home
johnson and Ford refused him even this
and threatened to split his head OPEN
Weatherby pushed them from the sleigh,
and johnson struck at him several times
with his cane, which Weatherby wrested
from him and threw away. Ford asked
johnson for one of his pistols, which John
son handed to him They then both pre-
sented their pistols and swore they would
| blow his brains out. 1t was In vain for
| Weatherby, unarmed, to struggle any Ion
ger with these men of might. And after
! having asked them to search on the spot
| for such goods as they claimed, or to drive
10 some house for the purpose, they refus-
ed He then begged them TO let him leave
! his wife at some house near. They denied
him this also, and the chisalrous gentlemen
! compelled this female in the situation have
before mentioned, and tired by long cold
| journey, and weakened by the alarm which
| their brutal and unjnstfable conduct ex-
cited, to walk half mile over a rough road,
leading one child and carrying the other in
her arms Weatherby, soon after, LETT the
sleigh johnson and Ford set off Tor the
| Custom House with the wearing apparel OF
| Weatherbv, his wife and chldren-ea small
quantity of oats and Indian meal, and the
goods, wiech, to the sharp sighted Johnson,
were apparently British" | do not re-
member precisely the remaining contents
of Weatherby'J load lie stated that he
had two remnants of broad cloth, sufficient
to make two coats--a few shawls and files,
all of which, think he said he purchased
in Boston and could shew the bills of them.
There were one or two articles more of
American manufacture, and some articles
of trifling amount, however, which he
purchased at an auction at Burlington and
! had the bills of
have made particular inquiries, but can
not find that Johnson was threatened with
tar and feathers" nor that the great mob
| which he imagined surrounded his house,
| declared :" that no officers of the Customs
| should live in Cambridgeport or seize goods
there" He has no doubt, heard of the
mode of dressing Custom House pimps at
the commencement of the revelation and
in his dreams, has either been up to his ears
in Ia barrel or almost smothered in the
ticking of full feather bed
AS for Ford, could discover no bruises
upon him and he was roughly handled,
it is not the first fine, if fame speaks true,
that he has been cufIed for taking things
not his own"
In ancter papes we find the following
particulars
Boston, W0rch 26.
An observer Of the conduct Of the col
lection OF people, gathered round the Gus
tom House, on Thursday, would wish to
state merely what appeared to be the first
cause Of the irritation Of the people, amongst
whom were some Of The most enlightened,
civil and intelligent of the town.
The writer's attention was drawn 70 the
Custom House, from seeing a collection of
people, more than is customary on ordina-
ry occasions, and on rearer approach,
found that they surrounded sleigh, with
man seated on it, with the rens griped in
his hands, to whom the people were offer
ing some indignities, BY words only. ac-
cusing him of being a petty pimp and in
for mer-on enquiring Of some gentlemen
that stood near. the writer was informed
that deputy Custom House officer station
ed at Csmbridgeport, bv the name ef John
SON had seized this sleigh. on suspicion Of
having struggled goods on board. and that
this suspicion was founded on information,
alledged by one Ford the man holding tha
rens ofthe horses. The writer. whoi is an