The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-02-05


By his erceaency' s command,
f. b. TRENTON.
----<-E==<SsS-StasS %z<Sc=--
ADDRESS
OF the inhabitants OF Piattsburg, to General
Wilknson-with his reply.
TO His EcceHency General TYlLkinson,
Commander IN Chief Of The Nor
fhern .frmy, &c.
We, the undersigned, magistrates and ci
tizens of the village of Plattsburg, beg
leave res ectfully to approach your excel
iency, and TO communicate with great defe
renee. our apprehensSus * our Sentiments,
respecting the exposed situation and insecu
rity Of tn $ post. and the public property
and forces now deposited and stationed here.
1t Is impossible for us to suppress our
fears, or to refuse our belief thar an attack
will he made by the enemy upon this place
sndjhat il viii not be postponed 10 u very
distant period We humbly bell We that the
reasons f such belief are neither feeble r
unfrurJed
II ia certainly needless to inform your ex
cellency, that the destruction Of the provi-
sons, public property and fnrGe OF this
place, is an object Of the areateyt magnitude
| and importance to the enemy and would
| exceedingly disaetrous and injurious to the
interests OF our country: The reasons a.
lone are suffice to induce the enemy to
attempt II, IT they have the means of rem
der'ng such attempt, in their opinion, sue
cessfll.
1T 1t be in us IN excusable liberty, to state
oar opinions on tina; subject, we would res
PectfpiiV declare our opinion and belief, hat
such means are within their power--this o.
pinion is derived, as well from inflammation
obtained, AS from the personal Knowledge
which Some Of US possess, of the resources.
strength and situation OF the adjoining pro-
vince OF Canada.
We have some reasons for believing that
the eHemy are concentrating or collecting
forces, at no great distance north OF the
lines.
strong reason for believing that thew
had some secret and importan movement in
con em1a in, is, that for h art time pasr
the eneCY have cctly and figidly prohi.
olted all intercourse with the interior Of
tHelr Country, aad have entirely prev nted
from passing, smugglers and uthel. oersons
VINO aave heretofore been permit ed to pass
and re-pass, without interruption such A
measure is with them unusual, and we be-
iieve has been adopted oay at the time IN
ned'atey preceding their former invasion
~ this quarter Of the country. in conse
quencc of the extreme care with viii II all
intercourse IS thus prevented, we believe il
10 he highly probable, that they nave it in
their power, WitEout the fact beng known
at this place, TO coilec' force at a position
from which it might be marched 10 this DO t
in a few hours
Convinced, however, that your excellency
possesses all the information rela ing to orr
own situation and that It the enemy, which
can be Obtained, or which can be useful, we
refrain froh tresspasing further upon your
patience, ~ more particular detail
10, IL.
ency on this subject, from I full convic, ion
that any subject relating 20 the welfare Of
our citizens or of our country, will meet
with you" favorable acceptance and ready
attentlon--neith = should we feel satisfied
OF having done our dut1 70 ourselves and
our country, if we had torborne TO state tn
,"uf txceleEcy our fears of an event which
would be attended with Consequences the
most ruinous and ceplorable.
Should your eXcellency co-inc de with ms
20 opinion, and believe the Danger 10 exisr
which We SO seriously appreuend we SIX
me permission of soliciting your cXc.llencv
| to aft I'd Us hat protection which the xi
gence If the case requires, if the means are
wit1in ar power.
II your eXcellency, however. should be
convinced, that our approximations are with
oJi foundation, We flatter ourselves hat We
SHAH Ind ready excuse and pardon for this
Intrusion, wheo your exceilency considers,
y has arisen from honest apprchensions for
lie fety Of our familirs aud our village.
and from sincere belief, that very import
an, interests Of cur country are in Jeopardy.
W REQ lest permiseion to subscribe our
selves with much consideration, your ex-
c"'lency's most obedieut and humble ser
wants,
[S.gncd bH the Iaha6ftants.7
/ Voth'a General Wilkinson was pleased to return
the following ansasr5 Xith prornpttnde ami .ote.
ness which DO hifp much honor, and which have
eeeo isit duly and appreciated.
MALoNU Jan. 5h 1914.
GettiemCn--I received Yesterday. at
one O'Clock, y. Vi. your address # the Cd
inst. ard within al hour after, the courier
vas oa return. i'm such orders and in
$ rucJions as may, trust. place you in safe
y aglIHs. any attack from the eRemy. I'm.
~ ] Can reipi'r yon with a c0lnmn Of
-, men, the front of which viii be with
yen 70 morrow &nd if ny coBva!cscencc