Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-29
SHOCKING MASSACRE.

Ll-AShD-AStNsA-
The following melancholy account of
vessel employed in the fur trade, makes
us acquainted with a raceof savages whose
coast 1t Is not unlikely that some British
vessel may visit-the information thus
conveyed may therefore SIZE some valua-
Die lives while it must prove highly inter
esting to our readers.
Alarge vessel called the Tonquin. was
fitted out last year by the Pacific Ocean
Fur Company, established at New-York,
and dispatched with a valuable cargo for
Astoria, the Conpany's settlement IN the
northern regions of America. The Ton
quin, it would appear, after landing the
cargo intended for Astoria, departed on a
trading voyage to the coast north ofCo-
lumbia river, with a company (including
oticers) of % men, and had proceeded
about 400 miles along the seahoard, when
they stopped on Vancouver's island, at a
place called Woody Point, inhabited by a
powerful nation called Wake-a-nin-ishes.
These people came OH board to barter their
turs for merchandise, and conducted
themselves in a most friendly and deco
rOus manner, during the first day ; but the
same evening, information was brought on
board, by an Indian, whom the officers had
as interpreter, that the tribe where they
then lay were ill disposed, and intended
attacking the ship the next day. Capt.
Jonathan Ihorne affected to disbelieve
this piece Of news and even when the sa-
wages came next morning in great num-
bers,it was only at the pressing remon-
trance of Mr.. M'Kay that he ordered 7
men aloft to loosen the sails. In the mean
time, about so Indians were permitted to
come OIL board, who traded a number OF
sea offers for blankets and knives-the
former they threw into their canoes as
soon as received, but secreted the knives.
Every one when armed moved from the
quarterback to a different part Of the YES
sci, so that by the time they were ready,
IN such a name were they distributed
that at least three savages were opposed
to every man of the ship, and at a signal
given they rushed on their prey, and not
withstanding the brave resistance of every
individual of the whites, they were ali
b%utchered in a few minutes.
The men above, in attempting to des-
cend, lost two of their number, besides one
mortally wounded, who, Notwithstanding
his weakened condition, made good his re-
treat with the four others to the cabin {;
where, finding a quantity of loaded arms,
they fired on their savage assailaats
through the skylights, and companion way.
which had the effect Of clearing the shin
in a short time and long before night
these five intrepid sons of America were
again in full possession of her. Whether
from want of abilities, or strength, suppos-
ing themselves unable to take the vessel
back TO Columbia, it cannot be ascertaineh
thus far only is known, that bet the
time the Indians we're driven from the shin
and the following morning, the four who
were unhurt left her in the long boat, in
hopes of regaining the river, wishing to
take along with them the wounded per
son I; who refused their offer, saying that
he must die before long, aud was as wei,
IN the vessel as elsewhere.
Soon after sunrise, she was surrounded
by an immense number of Indiansin can
Oes, CONF for the express purpose of un-
ioadingher, but who from the warm recep-
ton they met with the day before, did
not seem to vie with each other in board
ing.
The wounded man showed himself over
the railing making signs tiathe was alone,
and wanted their assistance ; on whicl,
some embarked, who finding what he said
was true, spoke to their people, who were
not any longer slow in getting on board so
that in a few seconds the deck was consi-
derably %thronged, and they proceeded to
undo the matches without further ceremo-
ny.
No sooner were they completely engag
ed in thus finishing the most diabolical Of
actions, than the only survivor of the crew
descended into the cabin, and set fire to
the magazine containing nearly nine thou.
sand pounds Of gun powder, which in a
instant blew the vessel and every one on
board to atoms.
The nation acknowledge their having
lost nearly one hundred warriors, beside.
a vast number of wounded by the explo.
sion, who were in canoe round the ship
1t is impossible to tell who the person was
that so completely avenged himself-but
there cannot exist a single doubt that the
act will teach these Williams better man.
ners, and will eventually be of immense be.
neft TO the Coasting trade.
The 4 men who set OF in the long boat
were, two or three days after driven
ashore in a gale and massacred.-Phito
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