Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-06-21

:, tie British oSfcers az EGsfPort--ssho " s.gedI'
they mill report hin 10 GEN STRONG, for
haring ent,ced their men to desert, cnd for en-
listing them for ths American Navy"
Eastern Argus.
MAoaIAs, May 10, 1915.
On the 18th OF April, British sergeant and
SIX men, with side arms, came to this place from
Passport for the purpose of appreh ending. three
deserters, who had escaped the day before
Their presence gave considerable alarm TO the
inhabitants, and was requested by one of the of
hcerS of the Customs TO see the sergeant and as
certain the object of his visit. i accordingly
called on him and demanded to know his bus-
ness. He said ne was on pass. 1 asked him to
show me his pass, which he refused but OBJ
served, that if would go with HIM to magis-
tratc, be would show me his authority. went
with him TO justice Inglee's, VINO came to the
door; and after explaining TO him the cause of
my calling, heobserved that he had seen the SER
geants ttter-on which the sergeant seemed to
decline showing it again, but at length gave it TO
Mr. lnSlee, who, after some little hesitancy, hand
ed it TO me, saying, " that it was no privacy as
lie knew OF; that II was letter from col. Cub
BINS to the Selecmen, requesting them TO as
s.st the bearer and his party in apprehending
and bringing to justice, three men, that had de-
serted from Eastport the night before after steal
ing some money"-adding, ihat he thought it
Ter and found it to contain substantially what Mr.
-nglee had related, with this addition, that he
(col. Gubbins) was willing to make the thing re-
oiprocal by rendering the like services, should
1T ever be required of him." After some little
conversation, in which Mr.. Inglee repeated his
unqualified appreciation of the arrangement pro-
posed by col. G. and renewed to the sergeant as
surances of his entire support; expressed to
him my establishment that so gross violation of
the sovereignty of the U. States should receive the
sanction of the civil magistrates-that was so
lar from agreeing with him on the subject, that
considered the sending of an armed party into a
foreign country in time of peace, for such pur-
pose, an act ofhostlity, which every citizen was
bound in duty to repei-snd turning TO the SER
geant, told him that the idea ofapprehending de-
aer,ers in foreign country was inaaasssibL,--
That he could not be allowed to execute his or
der from col. Gubbins, and that it was my duty
to order him to desist from his present under
taking, and leave town with his party, which I
hoped he would prevent difficulty by doing with.
out delay. Mr.. Inglee became very much en-
ragged at thls-said he thought was meddling
With what did not concern me; told the sergeant
hadno right to meddle with him, for that he had
as much 6ftsireSs here as IhdH--on which the SER
Seant assumed tone of insolence to me, which.
thinking mere honorable to avoid than to combat
J walked home. The citizens were much in.
eenssd, and eager to expel the party from town;
Tut Wlls arrangements were making for the pur-
pose, the sergeant and his men, by the advice of
rfr. Izglee, who was unwilling TO take the re-
5ponSi5ilty upon himself, had gone to the other
part tLIe town, to lay TIE letter of col G. be-
Sore the other two Se.ectmen--there they met
~lth oIlei ent recep' ion. The selectmen, John
dickinson and JOSIAH Harris, esquires, after read
pg his credentials, told the sergeant, that they
we're unauthorisea 70 give him any aid in execut-
:nghls o-der-that it was disagreeable to the in
N9ND re ~ tour, -.
rading the streets, and advised him to leave the
Place, giving him letter to COL Gubbins of
WITCH tie following are extracts:
"Szachias, .lpra 29t6, 1916.
"szH--Your letter Of YESTERDAY is before us
We are unauthorized in our official capacity as
Selectmen, to give any aid or assistance in the
apprehension OF deserters, or felons of any de-
scFiption!"
eve know of no courts of law in our country
possessed ofthe power TO deliver up offenders,
who may have escaped from foreign countries
that subject, as between the U. States of America
and Great Britain, remains open to be settled by
treaty"
The next morning received an unexnected
visit from the sergeant who, after relating his
adventures the preceding day, made a very hum
BILE acknowledgment for the insolent and unsol-
diGly manner in which he had addressed me
declared at once, his intention not to return 10
Passport, which he said was the resolution of
every man with him, and very modestly asked
me to recommend HIM TO some officer Of the Anne
riean army. On my referring him TO Mr. Inglee
as being better acquainted with his merits, he
said he had already seen enough of that 'Sduirc
lnglee 70 convince him that he was no friend IN
his country, and that he would have 10 more to
60 with him." Soon after the sergeant left town
Tor Boston, alone-two of his men, having joiued
TIE three who deserted first, followed him in the
afternoon and it is believed that the remaining
four Of the party returned to Eastport.
This sergeant, who was considered by col g.
most faithful and trusty," is the same, who,
with the same party of men, shot man dead ON
the bridge at Mschias, last fall without trial or
notice.
Nste.-This Mr. Inglee, it will be recollected,
) the candidate for Senator IN the Eastern Dis,
ts-ct the present year.
CITY LIFE.
5fr. Printer.
do not know what you meant wien
you Urged me 10 visit town YOU told mel should