Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-25
sALExANpR1A. Sept. Is.


sFor upwards Of thirty years have been
a Citizen OF the u. States, aud resided the
whole of that period in Alexandria, exceps
ting about nine months Absence in the year
1888 ON voyage to Europe. In 1911, Mr..
Robert Patton Jr. of Alexandria having oc.
casion TO 90 to Europe, Twas prevailed upon
TO undertake the management of his affairs,
and again in Oct. last When he went a second
time TO arrange some affairs in Spain and
England from whence he has not returned.
His wife and children were thus left in a
great measure under my protection ----
They resided at Spring Bank about 2 miles
from Aiessandria. ard when the British for
ces were in this ncighborhood, Mrs. Patrons
fears were much excited, and / was induced
orenlain chiefly at her house.
.On Sunday the 2sth of August, was at
Spring Bank and intended to stay all night;
but about half past 8 O'clock p. NJ. gen
leman came from Alexandria and told me
{ ha. the Mayor and Council had appoin-
tsd him and rue to wait on Commodore Cor.
don. And to use all the means in our pow !.
er 70 make the terms for thetown as easy
as possible, for which purpose he had in his
pocket passport from the Mayor. We
rode to Alexandria and got on board the
Sea Horse about half past O'Clock p NJ.
of that evening, where we found Captain
Gordon with three other gentlemen who
were afterwards learnt were Commanders
Of ships, and fourth soon after came on
board T e Commodore observed that it
was an unusual hour for flag, but on our
stating the cause he was satisfied, and he
read the passport from the Mayor mention
ing the business we went upon. The terms
had been made out and read to US, aud we
staid near three hours using all the argu.
~. -
He declared his intentions to burn all the
old vessels in the harbor which he found un-
fit TO carry cargoes. We however, could
obtain no promise or assurance that he would
grant better terms, and we came ashore &
reported to the Mayor and Committee.
sOu Wednesday the 31st Of August, the
same gentleman who had one old ship in the
Harbor, and as acting for Robert Patton
Jr. who had anotker. got a passport from
the Mayor to 90 on board the Sea Horse
with a view ofsaving all the old vessels FROM
destruction and there IS reason TO think our
mission wac successful, as they were all sa-
we'd to the Town which had NOT been lead
ed, one new ship excepted that had been
. stsss "a shq c,npers aud which the coInmo.
dorc raised, ard rot otlns. !. IL i. 10. Ser
in condition for leading, burned hsr. These
were the only two times that spoke to-, on
had any communication directly or indirect
ly with British ofhcer, On Friday the I'd
September, dined at Spring Bank where
number of ladies had sought shelter from
the danger unprecedented in Alexandria. A
respectable lady, wife to an officer OF high
rank in the Alexandria brigade who had
beer detained By sickness at Washington,
bpt expected 70 joiA his Regiment at the
White House expressed great au1<iety 70
know the state of hings at Camp, ard as I
wasthe only gentleman at Spring Baa X,
offered tay services, q ride down and bring
up an account Of the matters. ] according.
ly went down, passed the dife rept encamp.
meuts without stopping end rode ON TO the
Fost, tyed uy horse TO a tree, remained on
the battery abous four inmates, and was Just
about mounting my horse TO return, when
nm officer on horseback, whom 1 afterwards
found to be Captain Porter, came I'D Z. me
and ssed the following words as nearly as
can recollect we DO not wish to have AZ
ny suspicious persons in tbis Camp. 4 ar
rest you rs British apy,' and speaking to a
Ccntinel at las side said take this pefsob
under your custody
Il was there kept in custody for near an
hour when an fficer WI b guard from N,
marine corps came and escorted me to their
camp
There remained in a ten; under guard
rom Friday evening until next Tuesday