The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-19
SAcKETT's Harmon, }


SAcKETT's HARnoR,
June Z. 1888
am here on the site of what was once an impor-
tapt and busy military post. The remains-the
mouidering remains--of brave men are about me,
but no living soldier is near have just returned
from examining this once famous military station
II is now abandoned and In state Of rapid decay vet
with enough left TO aid the imagination in conceiving
what il was in lis best estate. have visited the
tombs of gallant who fell glorousy fighting the
battles OF their couniry-all OF them known 10 me
by fame, and some of them personal friends and
former companions. ! have rambed among the tall
grass OF burying ground, which in a few years
received as it was said, into its voracious nav,
more than seven thousand soldiers, for whom the
rites Of sepulture had been so mperfectly performed
that their bones lay scattered for years upon the sur.
face OF their mother earth
The excitement growing out Of the recent outrage
on the Sir Robert Peel still continues and occupies
all minds. Refugees from Canada, estimated at
about hieen hundred, scattered along this From
tier, and for months have been secretly but busy en-
gagged in preparations for an invasion Of CaDada
IL is TO be regretted that they have kept alive among
our citizens good deal OF the sympathy at first
manifested for what was termed the patriot cause
ne piraiical conduct of these last deSperadoes has
had good effect in rectifying, TO some extent an
erroneous state OF public feeling, bul il has not as
yet been entirely effcacious The greater par, Of
the offenders have been arrested but the ringeaders
are not yet taken, and they probably owe their
cess in euding justice, in some measure to the in
terterng sympathy of our people Most of those
who still at large, have taken refuge among the
" Thousand Islands" in the river ST. Lawrence and
can assure you il will be a very difficult and dan
gerous matter 10 dislodge them. What are called
| the Thousand Islands," are in truth about seven
teen hundred extending some thirty miles up and
down The 81. Lawrence; and BY their peculiar for.
nation and location, they present the most secure re-
treat for reebooters that be found in any quarter
OF the globe. These desperate men cannot be driven
of without military and naval force of considerable
| power. The Islands have high rocky shores, are
| covered with dense wood, separated BY narrow
winding and intricate channels and full of Businesses
of great natural strength The present possessors
have numerous lurking places very difficult TO be
discovered provided with water craft well adapt
cd to their service; well armed and plentiluy pro-
vided with ammunition and provisions Their
leader, UiAtdm johnson, seems TO be- from all ac.
counts admirably designed by character and fitted
by education and habit for the enterprises in which
| he Is now engaged Hardy bold and resolue he
recklesSly pursues the objects he has in view He
processes TO be well aware of the danger he encoun-
tiers, acknowledges the deSperateness Of his case
and the belief that he shall loose his life in its
prosecution. He declares that he will not be taken
alive and has notified those who are on the search
for him, that they "must bring their collins with
them" He is literally armed cap a pic !" carries
six pistols about his person, repeating rife dirk
and bowie knife His row boat is nearly forty feet
in length, made Of white cedar has eight oars and
exceeds in speed, on trial. the fastest steamboat on
the Lake. He declares that he is at war with the
Queen OF Great Britain, for the redress OF injuries
received from her Canadian subjects; that his war
iare is honorable, and that he acts under commits
SION received from the Patriot Government He
pidS Iair 10 be IS renowned in Bucaneerng history
as captain Kidd. | am interrupted, and must alb.
rupy close my description Of the Hero Of The Thou
sand Islands