Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-12-26
DECEMBER a6, 1878.
RIAL of .aRBUTHNOT& .a.MBRLSTER.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENT TRANSMITTED BY THE
PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS.
(Concluded.)
Robert C. Ambrlster to governor Cameron
March Goth, 1918,
Sahwahnee, near St. Marks Fort.

March Goth, 1918,
Sahwahnee, near st. Marks Fort.
SIR am requested particularly by all
our Indian chiefs, 10 acquaint your excel
lency that the Americans have commenced
hostilities with them two years ago, and
have advanced some considerable distance
in this country, and are now making daily
progress. They say they sent number OF
letters to your excellency, but have never
received one answer, which makes them
believe that he never delivered them; and
viii ohlige them much if you will let me
know whether he did or not. The purport
of the letters were begging your excellency
to be kind enough to send them down some
gun powder, musket balls, lead, cannon, &c.
as they are now completely out of those ar
ticles. The Americans may march thro'
the whole territory in one month, and with
out arms, &c. they must surrender. Hills
Halo, or Francis, the Indian chief, the one
that was in England, tells me to let your
excellency know, that the prince regent
told him that whenever he wanted ammu-
milton, your excellency would supply hlm
with as much as be wanted. They beg
me to press upon your excellency's mind
to send the above mentioned articles down
BY the vessel that brings this to you, as she
will sail for this place immediately-and
let the prince regent know OF their situa-
ton. Any letters that your exceiiency
may send down, be good enough TO direct
to me, as they have great dependence in
my writing. Any news that your excellen-
cy may have respecting them and America,
will be doing great favor TO let me know,
that may send among them.
There is now very large body OF Anne
ricans and Indians, who ! expect will at
tack us every day, and God only knows
how it will be decided. But must only
say, this will be the last effort with u.s.
There has been body Of Indians gone to
meet them, and have sent another party.
| hope your excellency will be pleased to
grant the favor they request.
have nothing further TO add, but am,
sir, with due respect, your obedient hum
bic servant,
ROBERT C. AMBRIsTER.
Question by the prisoner. Did you hear
me say that came on Woodbine's BUSH
ness
Ansr. did.
Cues. by the P. Were not the negroes
alluded to at Arbulhnot's store before | ar
rived ,
Ansr. No, you came with them.
Peter B. Cook, a witness on the part OF
the prosecution, being duly sworn, stated,
that he never heard the prisoner give any
orders to negroes or Indians-that The pri-
soner distributed Arbuthnot's goods, and,
also. paint to the negroes and Indians. Al
so, that some powder was brought FROM
the vessel TO Sawany by the prisoner, and
distributed among the negroes by Nero.-
Sometime in March, the prisoner took Ar
buthnot's schooner, and with an armed par
ty Of negroes, 81 in number, set out for St.
Marks, for the purpose of taking Arbu,h-
not's goods at that place, and stated that he
would compel the commandant to deliver
them up. On hearing of the approach OF
the American Army, the prisoner Told the
negroes 1t was useless to run, for if they
ran any farther they would be driven in
10 the sea.
The prisoner told the witness that he had
been lieutenant in the British army, I'M
Col. Nichols. The prisoner was sent by
Woodbine 10 Tamper, to see about those
negroes he had left there. The prisoner
told the witness that he had written let
ter to Governor Cameron, for ammunition
for the Indians, some time in March, and
also told the witness that he had commits
sion in the Patriot army, under McGregor,
and that he had expected captaincy.-
The witness testified 10 the following LET.
tiers, marked A, B, C, e. D, and referred
to in the specification to- the second charge,
were in the hand writing Of the prisoner
and one marked E.
(Noie.-The Letter marked A, is copied
in previous part of these proceedings
II
From Robert c. Ambrister to Major Ed.
ward Nichols.
SuwJny, near River Appalachicola.
DEAR SIR-Francis, and all the Indian
Chiefs, have requested me particularly t
acquaint you, that the Americans have