Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-08-10
annapolis. t.Naryland,) august 5.

annapolis. (yHGryiGnd,) .duS1s9 Dc
An occurrence has recently taken place
in this city, which is calculated to awaken
the deepest anxiety and strongest lndigna-
ton in the bosom Of every man who loves
liberty ahd,is attached to the constitution
ofhis country. tits painful tous to be obi
ged to notice transaction which is'likely
to become the subject of judicial invests
gatien; but we find it impossible to repress
the Indignation, which every man must
have felt, on witnessing the scene which
was exhibited here on Friday last. AT the
approaching session -four court it will be
decided, whether private citizen, who
considers himself agrieyed by the conduct
ola collector, is to be deprived OF the right
of demanding redress for the injury sustain
ed, N the same peaceful and legal manner
that be would against any other individual.
And, above all, whether the collector OF
the port is invested with power 70 call out
The troops of the United States for the pur-
pose of resistiag the constituted authorities
of the state. These are serious and solemn
questions, which will no doubt be delibe-
rate!y weighed, and impartially and justly
decided, by those to whom the important
duty of administering the laws is commit
ted. All that we say is, that If proceed
ings of this kind are suffered to pass with
impuDity, we may prepare to bid long
farewell 10 the liberties Of our country
We have obtained from friend the follow
ing statement of the case, which We submit
10 our readers without further comment.
A citizen of nd. considering himself en-
titled to goods which he thought had been
illegally and unwarrantably wrested from
him by the collector OF this port, sued out
writ of replevin from the court OF Anne
Arundle county, for the purpose OF trying
the title to them. The writ was placed IN
the hands of the high sheriff, who delivered
il TO one Of his deputies to be exeeutec.-
When the deputy proceeded to discharge
his duty, par, ofthe goods were lying on
wharf in the neighborhood Of the collector
warehouse. The officer OF justice took
possession of them when they were imme-
diately seized and taken from him by son
of the collector, and soma other men with
him. The sheriff on being informed OF this
outrage, applied in person to the collector
for delivery OF the goods. His request
was rejected.
He then intimated to The collector, that
he should lie under the necessity OF per-
forming by forcihle means the duty which
was imposed upon him by law and his oath
of ofh.e. To this intimaton the collector
replied, that he should resort to force IN
order to prevent the execution OF the VIII.
About an hour afterwards the sheriff pro-
ceeded towards the warehouse in which the
goods were contained, and on his approach
discoyereda detachment of United States
troops drawn up in military array, with an
officer at their head. across the streetwhioh
led to the place. When tie sheriff adVan-
ced TO the spot where they were stationed,
one of the soldiers presented loaded mus
fet 10 his breast so near that he was almost
touched by the bayohet, and told him that
if he proceeded another step his life would
be the forfeit.
The sheriff perceiving that it would he
impracticable for him to proceed without
hazaId ding the lives Of many Of bis fellow
citizens in contest with american troops,
dessted from the attempt, and lodged a
complaint with the chief justice OF the state.
Warrants were immediately issued for the
apprehension of some OF the offenders, who
we understand have been arrested, ana
compelled to enter into fecognizance Tor
their appearance at the next session OF the
court, to answer for the daring outrage
they have committed on the law OF the
land, and the liberty Of the free people OF
this country. This is simple recital OF
the facts that occurred. Comment is unne-
cessary, and would perhaps at the present
time be improper.
(Maryland Gazetts.
st. Louis, July9.
The postscript to the last paper which
oates the return of the military expedi-