Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-12-24
From che Wilmington en- C J Gazette.

w VI thto ROfNp DlC ~ OUCCg
~evinces a determination o the part Of our GOV
eminent to conduct the var according to the
rules Of nations.
Copy Of a istter from the Secretary of Stare 10
Robert Coshrane, Esq. Cofiecror, dated
OF STATE,
November IS, 1914.
SIR-I have received your letter of the 18th
instant, enclosing an extract from the Journal
of the private armed vessel Midas, of Balti~
more, whereof Alexander Thompson is the
commander,
1t appears BY the extract, that on the 18th Of
September last, captain Thompson authorized
a landing, with an armed force, from the Mi
das, at the plantation ola Mr.. Barnett OH Royal
Island, within the British doniinions; and that
the officer to whom it was conided, acting un,
der an order from capt. Thompson, to set fire
to the buildings did actually set fire to the
whole, consisting Of four handsome dwelling
houses and fourteen negro huts.'
The extract from the Journal has been laid
before the President and, upon The unequivo,
cal evidence which that affords Of the wilful
deviation of captain Thompson from the in,
structions for the private armed vessels Of the
United States, issued at the ment of
the war, which enjoin $ the ~stric,cst regsrd to
the usages Of civilized nations he directs that
the commission of the Midas be revoked ; and
you are requested, as that vessel is now within
your district, to revoke the same accordingly.
III communicating 10 you tiiS REORGANIZATION
of the President, it is proper 10 rsmark, that,
by whatsoever acts of hagrant outrage, upon
defence!ess towns and property of unarmed
and unresisting individuals, the British naval
and military officers on our maritime and inland
frontiers, may have provoked or may hereafter
provoke, severe measures of retribution, it is
for the government a,one TO prescribe the man.
ner and the means of retaliation.
Ihave the honor to he, sir, very respectfully,
yOur Obedient servant.
JAMES MONROE,
Robert Coclirane, Esq Collector Of the
Customs, Wilmington, NC.
NEW YoRK, Dec. Isl:
The British cartel sloop Jane and Martha,
Captain Ridant, in 19 days from Halifax,
came up yesterday morning. This cartel
was sent here by the provincial! Government
at Halifax, to bring home Mr.. Mitchill, our
agent for prisoners, and his family. Mr..
Mi.chill was ordered to leave the British
territory withost unnecessary delay -
and for the last ten days he was not permit.
ted to enter the city, or TO have any commu.
nication with il. This unexpected measure
was adopted in consequence of the refusal,
on the part OF our government. to receive
Mr. Gilbert Robertson as the British agent
for prisoners.
Mr.. Mitchill states, that about the 2Cth Of
November, between 4 and 500 American pri.
soners were sent to England ; and thai there
remained upwards OF 900. He mentions that
they are all well furnished with food and
lodging, and are generally in excele:t health.
or the whole number of prisoners at Halifax,
not more than so were in the hospital, when
the agent sailed.
Mr.. MitchIil was not permitted to appoint
an Agent in MS room, but was allowed 10
name two Of the American Officers to visit
the prisoners daily and to furnish them, Eas
The agent had formerly done with any arti-
cles necessary for their health and comfort,
Among the passengers on board the car
tel are, Mr. RucbannoD, MIR Dorsey, and
Mr.. Getting, citizens of Baltimore, who
were captured during the late attack upon
that city. Gen Mason, our agent for the
exchange OF prisoners at Washington had
negotiated an arrangement for the liberation
of all those citizens of Baltimore who were
made prisoners at that time. But, as the
knowledge OF this arrangement reached Ha7
lifax only one day before the cartel s2iied,
the other gentlemen coald not prepare Them
selves in season to return by this conveys
ance. p
No expedition was fitting out at Halifax,
when the above cartel sailed. =
BoSvoN, Dec. IL. .
It has been for some days past, W G be-
lieve enormously, reported, that the Presi'
dent has requested the governor Of this CONS
monweaith to order out 5000 militia, to be
placed under the command OF genera! King.
The TACT we suppose 60 be, that the Pres
sident has issued his orders to najo- general
King of the 18th divisi) IN of the Massachu-
sets militia. TO call into actual service ) coo
men, to act under his immediate comm and,
aud under the direction Of msjor-geheral
Dearborn. The secretary Of war has more,
over requested the governor of this state to
advance the necessary funds for the pay
and support of these men, and promised
to pay the same as 5000 as the general goy~
erament shall be in funds, which he has as>
sured the governor will be in the course Of
sixty days. -. AdV.
IL is well known that for some time past.
there has been a constant importation of
goods, principally, we believe. at Hampden,
from Castine, under neutral flags. a very
large amount of goods. which have been res
gularly entered, the duties being secured
according 10 law, is now On the way between
the port ct entry aud This PtaoS We are
informed taat orders have been just is ued
to the marshal for the seizure Of all ii'rse
goods, on the ground thst Casun: not reiug
a British port, brt a port OF which TIE sac.
my have OnIy.ml,ssry posse SION, a trt9e
by neutrais between " aud a port ofthe u.
States Is not a legtimate neutral tsa,.s 10