Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-12-22

ment and nation for thus trampling on the
sovereignty of their most ancient and faith.
tul ally and for the wanton sacrifice of
British lives.
On the part OF the Americans the loss
was comparatively nothing, two killed and
seven slightly wounded of the slain, we
have TO lament the Toes Of the second Lieut.
Mr. Alexander o. Williams of New York
brave and meritorious officer.
Among the wounded are Messers. Worth
and Johnson, first and third Lieutenants:
capt Reid was thus deprived, early in the
action. OF the services of all his Lieutenants;
but hrs cool and intrepid conduct secured
him the victory
DO the morning of the eth uIt. one of
the British ships placed herself near the
shore and commenced heavy cannounde
on the privateeT. Finding further resist.
ance unavaiing, captain Reid ordered her
to be abandoned after being partially des
treyed, to prevent her falling into the
hands OF the enemy, who soon after sent
their boats and set her ON FIRE.
AT 9 O'clock in the evening fsoon after
| the first attack applied to the Governor
requesting his Excelency to protect the
pnvsteer either by force or by such re-
rnonstrance 20 the Commander of the
squadron as would cause him to desist
from any further attempt. The Governor
indignant at what had passed, but feeling
himself totally unable with the slender
means he possessed, to resist such a force.
took the part of demonstrating in forcible
but respectful terms. His letter to captain
Lloyd had no other effect than to produce
menacing reply insulting in the highest
degree. Nothing can exceed the indigna-
ton of the public authorities as we'll as of
all ranks and description of persons here,
at this unprovoked enormity Such was
the rage of the British to destroy this
vessel, that no regard was paid to the
safety OF the town; some of the inhabitants
we're wounded and a number of houses were
much damaged The strongest representa-
tons On this subject are prepared by the
Governor tor his court
Since this affair the commander, Lloyd
threatened to send on shore an armed force
and arrest the privateer's crew, saving
there were many Engiishuien among them.
and our poor fellows afraid of his vengeance
have fled TO the mountains several times
and have been harrassed extremely At
length captain Lloyd, fearful of losing more
men If he put his threats into execution, a.
dopted this stratagem he addressed an Of
flcial letter to the Governor, stating that in
the American crew were two men who de.
serted from the squadron in America and
and as they were guilty of high treason, he
required them to be found and given up
Accordingly force was sent into the coun-
Ind "a
rested and brought to town, and as they
could not designate the said pretended de-
serters, all the seamen here passed an ex-
animation of the British officers, but no
such persons were to be found among them.
! was requested by the Governor and Bril-
fish Consul to attend this humiliatipg ex.
animation, as was also captain Reid but
we declined to sanction by our presence
any such proceedings
Capt. Reid has protested against the
British commanders of the squadron for
the unwarrantable destruction of his vessel
in neutral and friendly port, as also a.
gainst the government of Portugal for their
inability to protect him.
No doubt this government will feel
themselves bound to make ample indemni
fcation to the owners, officers and crew Of
this vessel, for the great loss they have
severally sustained
shall as early as possible transmit
statement ofthis transaction to our Minis
ter at Rio Janeiro for his government.
I.have the honor to be, with great res
peet, sir your most obed't serv't
JOHN b. DABNEY.
TO the Secretary Of State Of o. s.
Washington.