The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-11-25
THE MYSTERIOUS ,AFFAlR.

the following letter from respectable
gentleman, personally known to us. with
the paper enclosed, will excite no little
attention at Washington, and perhaps
call tor some prompt measures.
Antigua, Oef. 15th, 1892.
My Dear Sir-The enclosed is true
copy of an original procisma,ion.no now be-
fore me, accompanied with statement
OF respectable gentleman of Antigua.
who was at Saint Bartholomew at the
time the squadron was lying there, and
also With an extract Of a letter, of anoth.
CT very respectable gentleman, residing
at Saint Bartholomew. There can be
no doubt but that those vessels are cruis.
ing as vessets of rvar under The American
flag z without any commission from the
government fthe United States, of course
are liable to be called to account by our
government for their conduct.
The signature, s.B. irvine" to the
proclamation, as secretary of state pro
tenn. struck me the moment saw il. to
be the real signature of Baptist Irvine,
who, few years ago was editor of the
Columbian in the city ofNew York, and
who since until within short time, has
been an editor ola political newspaper in
the city of Washington. The reason for
Judging hat to be his signature is that
l have a letter of his, and the signature
to 1t, according &C the best Of my Tecol-
lection, bears great similarly to that of
|"B. lrvine," signed to the original proc
lamation. X wa. uaderstood at Saint
Bartholomew, that Mr.. Irvine Ind been
a great writer in tho United States it
was also understood that he wrote this
Proclamatios, and with his penis to con-
duct this squadron to some independent
happy land. From the description
have received OF his personal appearance,
l am still more confirmed in the belief
that It's he. IL so, he has now become
unques,ionably, desperate adventures,
and for the chance Of fortune is willing to
Jeopardise his head in the disgrace OF his
county.
have just heard rumour that this
squadron has failed in their attempt to
revolutionize Porto Rico. and were all
lying at Crabb Island. This, at present,
Is all the Information am IN possession
Of, respecting this piratical expedition,
except another rumour, that the Island
OF Guadaloupe being under arms, in fear
ful expectation of them.
1t this communication in your opinion,
can be made beneficial TO our country, ii
Will give me great pleasure to know that
have, IN my absence rendered some lit.
tie service 10 my native land.
AS respects the squadron--I should
suppose the least our government could
do,would be to despatch friga,e or two,
or some other vessels, to see no they
are, and what they are about. Most as
suredly, they have noright TO be cruising
as vessels OF war under American colors.
PROCLAMATION
From the general in chief, provisional
president Of the republic of Borieuea,
for'o Nico) to the people of all ma
lions Except natives Of Spain)
Ihe revolution in this Island is accom-.
plished. The independence is pro,
claimed, and wise, free and indepen.
dent republican government offers 10 you
employment, protection, security. and
prosperity. We, in consequence, solicit
yout to come and establish yourselves a.
mong US, and enjoy healthy climate in
our beautiful and happy country, and we
promise you as follows, viz -
Art. l The right OF citizenship, the
faculty ofyotiag and Of claiming all pla.
ces IN the republic, civil as well as mill
tary,wlthont respects to birth or religion,
depending alone on the talents and virtues
OF the individual. Q. Soldiers to possess
the-same rights as citizens, their paw will
be punctuaily made good to them. aud
every necessary, complete to the exten,
OF their wants, and they may depend up.
on their speedy promotion should their
conduct entitIe them to it. S. Every in.
divlduai belonging to the army and navy
OF the republic, who may be unfortu.
nately wounded or hur, in the service,
will be provided for in the hospital. and
will be taken care OF at the expense OF
governn:en a. Physicians, surgeons
and apothecaries OF abilities, will be ia.
Ken Into employment in our army and
navy. 5. Planters, husbaDdmep, and all
persons well informed in agriculture, will
address themselves to the agricultural
! commissioners, who will assign them
lands, and assis, them in the purchase oil
the materials, proportional to their lands
and their abilities, and will further in.
siruct them III the means of securing
their property. 6. Farmers and manu-.
facturers who may cbuse to come and
settle here, will find employment and Sc.
curity. Persons who may have inten.
ton to set up some useful establishment,