Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1838-06-26
From the albany .9rgus
BILL JOHNSON, THE LAKE BUCCANEER
SCENES ON THE FRONTIER

The condition Of the frontier, and the eyents which
uanspir, daily, continue TO excite the public attention
aud interest What may be the farther designs of the
maraudcrs, who seek either TO embIoi the two govern
nts, TO CRAFTY their desire OF revenge their
thirst Tor pundef unless arrested by the strong of
both governments, well and speedily put forth, may be
gathered from the following facts, which we derive
from authentic sources.
Early IN the spring party Of refugees made lodg
ment on "The thousand Islands, IN the 81 Lawrence.
The leader Of this gang is William Jobnsou-we,I
known IN all that region Bill Johnson-and known
also the leader in the recent destruction of the Sir
Robert Peel. lie Is Canadian by buth, is about sc
years OF age, OF powerful Frame and OF great lear
iessness and energy of character lie has four sons
who partake to considerable degree Of the character
of the father lie was employed as a spy in the Amer.
lean service during the last war and IN the of
II performed many bold and hazardous exploits lie
had at his command six cared barge in which he
roamed the lake and the rver ptug dispatches
attacking the small crafts SEEKING property, and haIrss
sing the British settlements. On occasion he in.
tercepted d.sputcbes twice in day at Presque Isle
On another, his boat having been driven on the British
shore IN gale, and his crew captured, he euded his
puTsuers Tor fortnight, and finally made his escape in
bark canoe, crossing the lake (}G miles in width)
lone ia that trail vessel, and reached Ssckes HaTbor
IN safety. Since the he has resided at French
Creek, the double capacity of trader and smuggle
II said that he boasts Of having force under his
mediate command Of $50 but this is probably
aggerauen, although he has undoubtedly more than
those who with him IN the capture Of the Sir Ro
bert Peel, and could probably command if necessary,
much greater number.
The principal rendezvous and head quarters of John.
son and his auders. at fas,ness called Fort Wal
lace, island al the head of Wells Island, and
,ouhiH the BRUSH territory 1t is said TO contain for
4 tihcation OF much strength of position Little is known,
however IN relation TO ~ as Johnson refuses to let any
one not eongng 10 the gang, visit IT, lie boasts much
OF It's strength aud EXPRESSES the belief that with do
men he could defend II against tho attack OF two
hundred. He has a second rendezvous on Abel's Is
land, imme daiely below Wells Island and opposite Al
u exandna Bay. The Thousand Islands sadie
number about seventeen hun ired, and to vary in sz.
from ten miles in length TO single rock foot square
. Wells Island (trom whence the attack made OF
the SIR Robert Pe-D Is the largest of group,
forms what deslgnai.d by the sailors he Upper Mar
Fows-the passage bringing vessels WITHIN pistol sho
OF the Island. They occupy more than twenty five
mile. IN the river, which some places Is more thar
10 miles wide. They lille else than rock, witl
occasional patches OF fertile land. Their sides
many parts perpendIculsr rocks, thirty feet IA height
with abrupt shores, and great depth Of water. The
generally covered with dense forests and thick IN
deIbIush aud the passages between them narrow
winding and often rocky. IL Is scarcely possible L
conceive place better formed by to afford Il Sc
retreat for freebooies than this cluster OF islands
johnson has several boat, every way adapted to b.
desgus one Of which is forty feet IN length, but OF
light construction us to DO easily carried across Ia
islands, aud ITS speed sail 10 exceed that OF the
test boats the lake. Shortly after The destruction
OF the "a Robert Peel, he proceeded ths boat Wit
few OF has men up the lake, made predatory incuI
y son upon island near the mouth Of the Bay q
p" QuInls, and pundered the iBhali.ants returning o
the night Of The -ih Hst % the Businesses q III
on the main land since the burning Of The SIR Kobel
n Peel lie has had occasional interviews with some
citizen. that event. but a. have taken piac
81 the lie and those that sttead hA ihcs
e. occasions well armed Hs appearance, VII
slA pistols dirk and bowie knife IA his belt sui.
= gently bv gsrcHi and he has vita hiia, said u
p ysuably, The eolors Of the Dir Roueri Peel lie COS
s5eIs the destruction Of that vessel Of Dfsci
ana that his ne has become therefore llT.eiicd, al
, SAYS he shall sell i al The dearest rate
Such Tie character Of the Bacoanesr Of the Lake
, suicient surely, with the nstorEi and ord nary pfogrc
o. OF eIaggrfaioh to e subject OF alarm 10 the b1rd'
O. lnhabliauis An alarm not altogether gfoundess, o
p TIE fact that the larger ISLANDS OF this gr0u
are inhabited By lawlsss OF hall bandilu, VII
e. would scarcely seTuPs 10 oin nearly any euterpf
q Tot plumber no have perhaps hundred boats an
p whose number has bcen enlarged considerably b. q
lug,e its supposed that l,sTe al lea
one thousand refagses and other persons Ihrss
az son and several thousands of refugees sstween Ma
A ara and ogdensbGr.
ali IL BE- imagined that the local militis OF
n local aghoiltes, howeysf NrN osposed 10 Ooera
g with The officers Of goFsfnment IA MEASURES 10 rep
- and pefent and 10 detect and pun
oi the HlaBucers are adequate % the emergency II
IA q the ana the i1ke u.e national cha
scisr and The lrs1 and Pfoperty u our eEsns rec
Of government force ,ofaeien 10 explore The 1lau
- And eIfel the mtfzacefs considerable mslsfy iof
a. 81 several pons the ifoptrf and The employ
Of an armed sisLmNesssl Or fsEeBos estisf
a.. - A. - 4.