Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-05-25

than a dozen British officers, present at this
meeting, andit was knownt to every regiment
IN the garrison to be about to AXE place
Downing and his attendants peak in terms
ot high commendaiion oil the conductof their
antagonists on the ground, md especially OF
the assistance rendered them by the officers
in passing and repassing their guards and
~sentries TO regain their boat.
Upon this result, The Governor interdict-
ed all intercourse betwixt the squadron and
the garrison. This was submitted TO by the
American officers, without complaint, and
by them it was most scrupulously observed.
| With regard to them, too. it was enforced
by the governor with the military rigour OF
a place besieged. 1.-THE commander OF the
SQUADRON wishes TO communicate with the
navy agent or the consul ct his government
at Gibraltar, he must low to the water port
gate. and report himself to the inspector OF
strangers, and request permission to enter;
the Inspector reports the application to the
town major, whose office is near two miles
| distant: the town major reports It to the go
vernon, who is probably at the cottage about
three miles of, or at the convent which is at
the extremity of the town, opposite to Water
Port, and the Governor directs a permit to
be issued, or not. as he pleases. During all
this time, the American commodore sits in
his boat, rain or shine, watched by the sem
try on post at the dock. To this humilia-
ting ceremony Capt. Brown has refused to
| submit bu! to this ceremony the agent and
the consul are compelled to submit, when
they would communicate with the squadron
of their country.
On Sunday morning, captain Thompson
was sitting with his wife and child in the ca
bin of the Guerrero, unprepared tor other
company than his own officers, and relying
on the non-intercourse as security against VI
sits from the shore. Two gentlemen from
the garrison were announced TO be on deck,
| and DESTROYS to seethe captain. They were
invited down, and shown into the cabin
! They were both strangers to capt. Ihomp-
! son. but discovered themselves and their bu-
siness at once. One was captain johnson,
! and the OTHER doctor -, both of the 64th
regiment. Without intimating a wish to see
captain I. in private, or that his wife might
| Withdraw, or that their purpose was hostile
! and unpleasant in its character, Johnson ad-
| dressed him to this effect cit is asserted
on shore, and it IS generally believed, that
it is your wish to give a national tone to the
o~uarrels between your officers and those OF
the garrison; at least it is thought so by our
regiment: our officers began the war with
the American officers, and we are resolved
TO 90 through with it and finish it. Accord
ingly, sir, | am charged to present you the
compliments Of Major Dickson OF the 64th'
and to beg you will do him the favor to give
him a meeting on the neutral ground this az
ternoon, at 4 O'Clock, at two PAGES; and
offer the same terms to your lieutenant, Dow
ming. You are very successful at your own
distance-you may not be so at ours" by
this time. Mrs. Thompson was in fits, and
Der little daughter screaming with fright
Captain Thompson complained that hey had
done him great injustice in imputing to him
feelings or wishes in any degree hostile or
unfriendly to the British officers; disclaimed
ever having expressed or entertained the
wish ascribed to him and sent for his ilrst
and second IieutenantS, Gordon and Dulany,
to come into the cabin, that they might be
witnesses to the conversation. He repeated
his disavowal of all hostile feelings or wishes,
and his lieutenants did the same. The fight,
and on their own terms, was now urged upon
captain Thompson with great warmth, anu
insisted upon by Johnson and the surgeon as
unavoidable. Captain +. said, if you will
force me into this controversy against my
wishes, and under this disavowal OF NINE,
will enter into it, and upon your W plan.
You have singled me out as the principal OBJ
ject of resentment and attack, merely be-
cause | command the ship to which lleute-
nant Downing is attached, and you are re-
solved to array all the officers of the Gath,
and to bring mine to the field against them.
| claim the right, as the party assaiied, TO Sc
lect my antagonist | take the commander
of your regiment, Colonel McCombe; now
bring him to the field as soon as you please