Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-10-03
RICHMOND. ocT0eEH 3.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
NARRATIVE

ndIidtHd.
The circumstances and events connect.
ed with the expedition fitted out under
the auspices Of the Patriot General NJ
Gregor, against the Provinces of East u
West Florida, have been much canvass
ed, but il is believed are little understood
IN the United States. Caluinny, busy
upon tins, as OH every other occasion,
has endeavored 10 brand with infamy all
those vino have IN ANY manner contribu-
ted ards the objects of this expedi
ton. The followers of MGre.or have
been denounced indiscrima,ely as band
of lawiess and desperate a,iyenturers,
SEEKING through blood aud slaughter the
gratiiication OF an iiisatiate ayarice, re-
gardlcss alike of the claims of humanity, 81
tie principles ofhOnor. To support these
general and untounded imputations, eve
~ measure adopted by The general at 81
Ter his arrival upon Amelia Island, has
been subjected tot the foulest misrepresen-
1diions. Letters have found tier way
dnio the public prints, written b, rtspecta-
Die aud Impartial gentlemen from ST. Ma
rvs, who were eYs-NitaesSeS TO events that
never happened, and scenes which never
transpirei. Al one fine, all slaves,
the property OF the inhabitants of Tie Isl.
and, are seized and coniiscated by the
New Republic. At another, the same
w ptOpfS utC HfNhtt 10 utSCIt
from their masters Ill the United States
aud to repair te the Patriot standard
where they will fin freedom and protec-
ton. Now, parties are sent out 10 plum
der and liarrass the peaceable inhab-
tants, contrary 10 tlie express stipulation
of the capituation. In short, according
te these peri,abie gentlemen, the Patriots
a. Amelia we're guilty of every act which
EaracierlZes robbers and lreebooterS.
10 counteract the force of preudices
thus ar.uiy and industriously excited,
aud to afford the public an opportunity
oi forming correct opinion relative IL
the nature and conduct of thus much ca
lumiiia:ed expedition, is the purpose of
the following short and simple Narrative
The arrival of General MGregor IN the
u. States excited considerable interest
with all those who had synipathised III
The struggle, which the Patriots OF South
America we're making TO eman ipa,e
themselves from the oppressive ani de-
grading yoke of Ferdinand The high
reputation which this officer had acquir,
in The patriot service, rendered il more
than probable that his views in coming
40 or country, were not ola personal
iiature-but That he came commissioned
by the Republics of the South to collect
around him aud q i've direction to all those
ardent spirits who were DESTROYS of com
batting III the cause of liberty. In con
sequence of this conviction, applications
Were made 10 hln from various quarters
and he very soon thought himself IN
condition to undertake the conquest Of
the Floridas which had long been favor
lie object with the Patriots Of Spanish A.
merica, as the means of obtain ng the
most important aids and supplies from
the United States. To effect thiS desra-
q s., 4 . i
sufficient iii the first instance. He was
made 10 believe by gentlemen Of respect
able standing III society, who pretended
to be Intimately and personally acquaint
ed with The feelings * wishes o!ihe inhabi-
tants ofthe F,Oridas, that his approach
would be hailed by them with the utmost
Joy aud gratitude. lie was told that as
soon The patriot flag should be planted
upon some point contiguous 10 the Uni
ted States, numbers would flock TO it
from oil parts of the union. Nor did this
calculation seem very improbable or un-
reasonable, VIXEN il was known that ma
ny of the citizens of our country had al
ready transported themselves to The far
distant regions of South America, for the
purpose OF aiding tie patriot cause.
Influenced 10y these considerations, the
general was induced to hasten his prepa-
laiions. Early in April, he gave notice
10 tie officers who had engaged TO follow
his fortunes, TO hold themselves in readl-
ness ia depart Immediately from the Uni
led States. Among those the most con
spicuous, both from the high rank which
he had beld in the army of the United
States, as well as from his talents and vir-
tues. vas Col. Thorntoa A. POsey, a native
al Virginia. Ii is due to the exalted me-
rlts and Iamented fate of this gallant otii-
Ger, thai the part Which he acted through
out tsIe whole Of this disastrous affair
should be presented io the public view.
Humanity requires that the memOry of a
departed hero should be rescued from
the Iangs of an un ust and indlscriminate
spirit of defamation. Attracted by the
fame Of MGregOr, and stimulated by an
ardeut desire to seek honor and fame uiI-
der the banners which an oppressed pcO-
pic had raised in defiance to tyranny, he
eagerly sought an interview with that re-
nerai-and as soon as lie was satisfied
with respect to the nature OF his views,
and the authorities under which he acted,
consented 10 accept an appointment UNI
der him. The command OF a regiment
was immediately conferred npon Col. p.
with the privilege of appointing his own
oficers--sany Of whom he had collected
IN Baltimore, about the 10th Of April, ac-
eOrdng To- The directions OF &GrGgOT,
with the expectation that an armed vessel
would be in readiness 10 transport them
to the scene Of action. Circumstances
however occurred 10 delay the expedition
and MGregOr Was compelled 20 posi-
pOHe his departure tor seVeralweeksio long
er. In the Ihtan time, the difnculiies OF
collecting and organizing an elheieDt
force within the limits Of the L. States,