The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1831-01-19
BoMBARpNENT on ANTwERP.

All the statements heretofore published
respecting the conduct of the Dutch troops
at Antwerp, were derived from papers en-
tlrely under the control of the revolutionary
party, and were no doubtin many cases ex-
aggerated or highly colored, for the purpose
ofexciting the general sympathyof mankind.
TheDuich government has given an account,
translated in the New York American, very
different from those published by the other
side, and which has such degree of plaus-
ihility in it that very many will be inclined
to believe it contains correct statement OF
the unpleasant transaction. The soldiers
were attacked by the populace on the Goth
of November, and an armistlce, requested
by deputation Of citizens, was agreed to
on the 9th the citadel being held by the
Kings Garrison. After reciting these cir
cumstances, the report proceeds
As soon as the armistice was known,
the firing ceased upon all points, and the
troops returned to the magazine; but occa-
sionally shots were fired at the garrison yet
without the citadel, probably by persons ig-
norant as yet Of the convention. In order 10
put stop to such firing Lit. Gen. Chase
hoisted a white flag upon one of the bas
lions of the citadel. This measure produce
ed visit 10 the General from a certain KeS-
sels, calling himself commandant of artil-
lery, and Il Lieut.. Colonel named Mellon,
in order to ascertain why the white flag
was hoisted. The General assigned for rea-
son, his desire that the captulations entered
into should be respected by all parties
This reply was not satisfactory to KeSSelS,
who insisted that the civil power was incom-
petent to contract an engagement for the
mill Il 4 IN n
commandment of troops, whose delegate he
said he was, that the convention entered
into was illegal, and void he agreed, how
ever, to the proposition of General Chase,
that he should consult with the delegate of
the provisional Government, and communl-
cate the result.
AT one o'clock flag came in: the bear
er of it, without asking admission, gave to
the commandant of the post two copies OF a
summons 10 surrender, both addressed to
General Chase. This summons required
the unconditional surrender of the citadel =.
vessels of war in the river, and all NUM-
tons. together with the arms of the soldiers,
the officers only to retain their swords. This
summons was to be accepted or refused by
4 O'Clock, although il was previously agreed
that the firing should cease for an indefinite
time. At half past the rebels recommend
ed firing upon such of our troops as were
within the square of building stores, and
this firing became so warm that the Colonel
commanding them, Sprenger, repeatedly
asked permission to return it; but the Gen
eral, anxious to observe the capitulation in
all particulars, refused: he again ordered
the white flag hoisted; but these produced
no impression upon the rebels, and their
/ fire became warmer, until finally they pla-
ced field piece in battery in front OF the
main entrance of the magazine square, and
demolished the gateway, thereby throwing
( the troops into great disorder, and ohliging
! them to retire behind the iron-gate way.
General Chase, indignant at this viola
ton of the truce, gave orders at length,
about halfpast three o'clock, not only to pour
fire ofmusketry into the quarter ST. Andre,
where the greater number of the rebels
were assembled, but also to lombard that
part of the city, while the gun boats can
nonaded it from the water. This lasted
till half past o'clock. A little before the
cessation of the bombardment, new Gepu-
tatIon of the citizens arrived, making pite-
Gus representations of the destruction and
suiferings occasioned by the bombardment,
asking a revival ofthe truce. and pledging
themselves next day to renew negotiations,
| General Chase, touched with the recital of
these calamities, Immediately agreed to sus-
pend his fire until eight o'clock next day,
provided n committee on behalf of the pro-
visonal Government would then meet him ;
| for the purpose of entering into Interior ar
engagements"