Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-06-30

the pirate of the lakes, the notorious Bill JohL-
fi,shoulL have been received some days since,
but will be read with none the less interest on |
that account. There are certainly many points
OF romance in his story, and is by far the most
Interesting ofthe vagabond marauders who
have been so long agitating the frontier. Bill
Johnston seems TO be actgated by motive
the desire ofrevenge; which places him above
the Van Renssaluers tr the Suthcrlands, who
were induced to their mad aud absurd course
by petty vanity AID love of notoriety. Gene
raj Van Rensselaer,, with his encampmen. on
Navy IslaLd and in his sash and cpanlets, ma
king war, with two or three hundred vagabonds,
on Great Britain, was very ridiculous person.
age; but there Is touch ofpoetry about Bill
Johnston, The Buccdneer, armed to the teeth,
flying from island to island, price set ON bis
head, and determined to cell his life at despe-
rate price. And then his daughter--but we
will not anticipate the interest Of the letter:
Correspondence Of the Courier 9. Enquirer.
STEAMBOAT OSWEGO.
PArTIsoN's LANDING, near French Creek, !
llth June, 1888.
We have Just arrived here from 0swego, and
made fast to wood, at a spot nearly opposite to
the wooding place where the Sir Robert Peel
was attacked and burned by band of pirates,
under the command of desperate by the name
of Bill Johnston, of French Greek. While we
were making our vessel fast, light long boat
of dark blue or lead color, shot out from be-
hind an island on the opposite shore, little
ustern of us. The boat was in sight but few
moments, having put in u little bay out of our
view. In short time four of the crew were
partially seen through the bushes, walking in
Indian file, each having large pistol in his
right hand. They cameup nearly opposite to
US, and then resreatcd back to their boat. A
boat put off from our wharf for them with two
acquantances of Johnston's, who supposed the
craft to be one of his. When they neared them
upon the opposite shore, the long boat dashed
along side Of them 1t proved to be Johnston,
with four expert Canadians us oarsmen, in a
twelve cared cutter, about forty feet long,
with about eight feet of the after part deckcd,
on which sat Johnston, upon red carpet bag
steering the boat with an oar. After lying to
few minutes they pulled for the wreck of the
Sir Robert Peel, which lay about eighty rods
ahead upon the opposite shore. While pas
sing on their way to the wreck, within Is rods
of is, and upon one of our passengers waving
white handkerchief, Johnston very majestcal-
! ly raised up and drew from the carpet Dag un-
der him the coors ofthe Sir Robert Peel, which
he hold up 10 the breeze, and again returned to
the bag.
They boarded the wreck Of the Sir Robert
and remainded some ten or Is minutes, put off,
pass ed again by us, within short pistol shot,
and made for the main land near French Creek.
There were about fifty persons on board OF
our steamer, and not the least movement was
made to molest them. We had no arms on
board.
The two gentlemen who went out in the
small boat are Of respectability, and from ha-
wing been long and intimately acquainted with
Johnston, apprehended no difficulty or injury
from him or his crew. Johnston observed to
them that his family and himself had been lnJu-
red by the British governments having coniis-
Gated his property to large amount during
the last war. He had now fully avenged him
self against them, as well tor his own losses
as for the destruction ofthc Caroline; that lie
well knew Il at great efforts were making TO ar
rest him, and particularly by our Government.
But it would not be easy to take him, and one
thing they might rest assured OF, that he would
my er be taken alive; that hewas fair mark to
shoot al, but he was not the man to dangle in
the air; he had two other boats well manned
and armed, within signal view; that he sat
uDOn Tile COIOT5 VI LUt Itopclt3 uiiu ihSoAb w
sit upon them till they rotted.
Their boat was slowed with muskets and
small arms.
He said further that the steamboats, need
have no fears Of him and his party, as he had no
disposition to molest them. On being told that
one ofthc steam boats was to wood at the wharf
of his son, at French Creek, he seemed quite
affected, and replied, "I am glad to hear it, or
of any thing else that can benefit my family.
He is robust athletic man, perfectly fearless,
about so years Of age, quite grey headed, and
is altogether hardy looking veteran. lie is
represented as very warm friend, but has
ever been terror to his enemies.
lie has daughter about 10 years OF age,
very handsome, and said to possess equal cour-
age with himself. She often goes into boat
alone, armed, and seeks her father with sup.
plies Of provisions. saw her this morning ut
French Greek an hour before seeing the old
man. She is certainly a very noble looking
girl, and, / should Judge, fully equal to the de-
scripton given Of her.
If is very much to be regretted that the from
tier difficulties should have the effect 10 deter
many from visiting these waters, as there can
be no more desirable tour than through lake
Ontario. For the fine steamers and gentle
manly masters, these waters cannot be excel
led, and the most timid need have no fears of
apy further troubles ON board these steamers.
Travellers that I have met with say the inter-
est of travelling upon these waters has been
highly increased by the introduction of fine re-
giments of soldiers at the garrisons along the
lakes.
From the Albany Argus.
r. f(nrr, In N