The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-07-01
Territory Of Michigan, ! -
District Of Oe(rolt. 90

{
District Of Detroit. SS'
Be it remembered that on the 3Oth day
OF May, A. D. one thousand eight hundred &
fifteen, personally appeared before the under
signed, one OF the justices assigned to keep the
peace i'll said district, viz. Jean Baptist Com
parett, jun. who made oath according to law.
deposeth and saith-That this morning, a.
bout the hour OK seven, he crossed the river
Detroit, at St. Amour's ferry, & walked down
70 Sandwich, and passed Mr.. Roys door--in
passing, he discovered standing at said door.
Jacob Gravrode, an Indian interpreter in the
British service, and another person whom
ths deponent supposes to be British officer
from the description of the person, this de-
poneDt took him to be major Brock. This
deponent having business at the house of Mr.
Roy, did not feel disposed while those persons
were standing ut the door to enter the said
house, but continued his route to the lower
end OF the town. On this deponent's return
up, he met Mr.. Roy and finished the business
he had with him, after which this deponent
was looking for a bake-house in order to
purchase some cakes, and passed the British
soldiers barracks several times ; this depo-
nent afterwards laid himself down on the
grass at a short distance, from where a SOL
der was brushing his coat, in expectation of
seeing the morning parade, and OF meet
ing with some or his acquaintance liv-
ing on that side Of the river. This deponent
further deposeth, that while ne was sitting on
the grass, some of the soldiers asked this de-
ponent several questions, and he in return as
ked them, but nothing concerning deserton.'
ais dePonent then arose from the place
where ne had been sitting, and fell in with a
young man ot ms acquaintance by the name
OF Bellair, and enqu.Ted of him when parade
was Coming on, and gave said Bellair slsl-
ling to procure him some cakes or bread. as
he was hungry-said Beilsic brought this de-
ponent a small loaf of bread, which he cut in
two parts, and gave the half to said Bellair,
at which time a sergeant Tcommonly called
orderly, beckoned to this deponent to come
toward hun, saying Sir, Col. James wishes
to speak to you if you please This deponert
then went with the orderly, until he got op-
posite to the ColonepS quarters, observing to
the orderly, this is the coone's quarters
The orderly then replied Yes, this is his
quarters but he is gone round the corner.
This deponent went round the corner of
the garden, and met with Colonel James and
another officer, which he supposes was major
Brock, at which time the orderly observed
TO them, 'here is the man This deponent
then pulled offhis hat & bowed to them. Col.
James then accosted the deponent & asked
him what, sir. is your business on this side
of the river" This deponent was proceed
ing to answer, when Col. James laid hold of
him, shook him, and then struck him on the
left jaw with his fist Col. James then deli
vered this deponent in charge of his orderly.
and directed him to take him to some place.
which this depOnent does not recollect, and
while this deponent was going to the orderly.
Col. James called to the orderly to stop. Both
the officers walked up to this deponent, laid
hold of him, and shook him against the gar
den pickets, cursing and damning him, and
asking him why he was conversing with the
soldiers and without giving this deponent time
TO reply, one of them, which he supposes was
Major Brock, exclaimed with some swearing.
. | wish l had pistol, ] would shoot YOU or
words to that effect. This deponent further
deposeth, that prior to this treatment, which
he received from that officer, (which he sup
poses TO be Major Brock Col. James told
him he would have him shot, ordered him to
be confined in the cellar, and have him tied
When this deponent arrived at the cellar of
Col. James's quarters, British soldier came
with rope, tied this deponent locked him
up in the cellar and then went away. A
short time after, Col. James came to the Gel
lar, and asked this deponent to tell him the
truth, what it was that brought him on that
side of the River. This deponent answered
that he was sent by Majof Fally TO collect
debt which was due him by Mr.. Roy Col.
James then tolj this deponeut that he lied, &
left him for that time, observing further, that
he would send an Indian to him with a tom
ahawk and knife, to take off his scalp and do
what he pleased with him. AS Col. James
was leaving the cellar, Mr.. Askin made his
appearance. Col. Jane made some observa-
ton to hin about In ms. Deponent does
not know what it was. MIR. Askin then pro-
cceded TO ass this deponent to acknowledge
what ms business was at Sandwich. and that |
Ne would not be hurt. This deporent then !
that he was a clerk to Major Fall |
2, ard came there for the express purpose !
# collecting Major Fsjly's debts. This de- /
,oncnt was then united, and takcD NJ into /
,ol James's room and was asktd why he /
vas enquring for the tailor ? This deponent
ened that he ever enQuired for any tailor.
,ol. James then sen; the orderly for the man
rho made the report. The soldier was
rouglt, and said that the deponent asked
i'm fot that tailor while he was drawing wa
sr out Of the we'll 7 This dcponCnt again de-
led il, ard was ready 70 make oath was
% so. Col James then Observed that he