The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-11-01

as both balls flew close to him: a swiv e
was then levelled, which only flashed, and
pistol likewise snapped at the boat with
out effect. Numbers ofpeople on the wharf
were witnesses TO this extraordinary pro-
cedure, and Captain Reid, being on shore
was compelled in the evening to order all hi.
men from on board the Liberty, 10 answer
for their conduct Her cables were then
cut and the vessel brough to the wharf, where
number of men, chiefly from Connecticut,
went on board, and after cutting away her
mast, and rendering her unfit for service,
they threw every thing that was valuable
overheard, and scurled the vessel, after
which they quietly dispersed"
Both the vessels that were seized have
since proceeded on their respective voya-
ges."
&C. All the following quotations are
from the Newport Mercury:
" To the Printer Of the Newport Mercury"
The toiloping is said to be a true state
Of the affair relative to the Sloop Liberty,
and the Brig and Sioop brought in here
last Monday; whieh you are requested to
insert in your Mercury, least this transact
ion should be misrspresented to Administra-
tion.
Last Monday morning, the l7th inst, the
armed sloop Liberty, commanded by Capt.
William Reid, arrived here, and brought in
Brig and Sloop belonging to Connecticut,
taken in the sound, without this Colony,
on suspicion of the briggs having done some
illicit act, aud that the sloop had contra
band goods on board but as 40 proof APP
peared against the brig, she reported her
cargo at the Custom House here ;--and on
Wednesday, no prosecution having been
entered against either Of them, Capt. Pack
wood went on board the brig in order to
get his sword and some necessary apparel,
which the commanding officer on board,
Zone of the Liberty's men, refused to let
him bring away. and. tits said, offered him
violence which reduced Capt. Pnckwood
to the necessity Of drawing his sword to
force his way into his boat, whereupon the
officer called upon the Liberiy's people to
fire on Capt. Packwood, as he was going
ashore, which they did, and brace of balls,
It's supposed, went very near, but did not
hurt him; they then attempted to fire sew
eral more guns upon him, which, happily,
all snapped or flashed, and could not be dis
charged.
This attempt Of violence, by the Liber-
tvs people, whose commander had never
condecended to exhibit his commission to
the Governor of this Colony, SO enraged n
number of persons, that, the ensuing even
ing, having met Capt. Reid on the Long
Wharf, they obliged him to send for his
men on shore, in order to discover the man
who first fired on Capt. Packwood upon
which Capt. Reid sent for all his hands ex-
cept his mate /; afterwards a number Of per-
sons unknown, went on board the Liberty,
sent the mate nway, cut her cables, and let
her drift ashore a, the Point, when they cut
away her mast. scuttled her, and carried
both her boats to the upper part of this
town and burnt them" While this affair
was ransacliug, the sloop suspected of bav-
ing contraband goods Oh board, made her
escape; and the brig has since received her
papers, and smiled las, Friday.
NEWPORT, July 22d."