Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-12-27

L UV hN "a L
Camden Co. (Georsia,) Oct. SO. !
DEAR SIR-The last letter l had
the honor TO address to you, was on
the 9th of August !; shortly after, the
public papers announced that you had
left Washington on a visit to Georgia.
A few weeks after, thought II not
imprudent to venture out to my swamp
plantation on the Satilla. and since,
have been VERY little at st. Mary's.
Since General M'Gregor, and the
greater part of his officers. (some OF
whom were of respectable standing ia
the United States) have left Amelia
Island, there has not been so much
ingenuity made use of in miSrepre-
senting the conduct and intentions OF
the invaders OF East Florida !; and
tho accounts which are published of
them are for the most part generally
correct. The present Chief, Com
modore Aury. got the command very
much against the inClinations of She
riff Hubbard, and Colonel Irwin
When he arrived at Fernandina, with
his squadron of Privateers and pri-
yes, they were entirely without mo-
ney. He declared that il he gave
them any aid, it must be Oh the con-
ditioa of being made commander in
chief: aud that as general More
COR never had any commission what
ser. the flag or The republic must be
struck. and that of the Mexican hoist
ed, and IL at Fernandina should be
considered as a conquest Of the Mex
lean republic. (under which he was
commissioncd) without its being nc
cessary that any other part ofthe pro-
vince OF East Florida should be con-
ouered." Hubbard and Irwin Ieluc-
family agreed to the Notifying copdi-
ton of resigning the command. They
were never friendly with the commo-
dore. and endeavoured, but in vain,
to gain over by intrigue, a part of his
men. Their own party considerably
increasing shortly after, they were
several times on the point of coming
to open war with Aury, and his fol-
lowers and under the pretence that
Aurv's forces were composed chiefly
of brigand negroes. A few days be-
fore Mr.. Hubbard's death. (who was
called governor without having any
powcr.) Aury marched to his quar-
tiers with a body Of armed men, and
obliged him to make such concessions
rs drove him to an act Of intempe-
rance, which soon after terminated
his existence.
Since the death Of this gentleman,
there has been little or no disturbance
among them. But it would appear as
if the suspicious of the Frenchman did
not die with Hubbard. az none Of his
privateers have left Fcrnandina.
The parties are designated as the
American and French, and l have
been assured by individuals belong
ing to them both, that each are an
xiously locking for reinforrements.
Aury has numbcr of Freedmen,
who we're. it is said, officers of Bona
parte. They find it their interest as
we'll as inclination to support their
Coantrymen.
His great dependence. however. is
on about one hundred and thirty bril-
gand negroes--a set of desperate
bloody dogs.
The American party, which is ra-
Their more numerous than the other,
consist generally Of American, Eli
elish and Irish sailors: but now have
no declared leader. Irwin wants Ell
Their spirit or popularity to assume
that character. For my own part,
believe that in point Of morals. pa
triotism, and intentions. they are ex-
actly on par. Aury's blacks how
ever make their neighborhood ex-
tremely dangerous, to population
like onrs. and fear il they be not
expelled from that place, some unhap-
py consequences may fallon our coun-
try. tits said that they have decla-
red that If they are in danger Of being
orerpuweied, they will call to their
I'D avery ,eoro within their reach, -