Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-01-26

nal OF the l|tn.
The British THREAT-Nor EXECUTED.
--Day before yesterday the British au
thorilles anchored three armed schooners,
off the head Of Grand Island. They were
visited by our Collector, as stated yes,er
day and they avowed their orders were
to fire upon and bring to, the steamboat
Barcelona, if she attempted to pass up the
river, from Schosser to BuffaIo! This
avowa, of the old "right of search reused
some American feeling. Gen. Scott, it is
said, outdoors, sent, by his aid Lit. Tall
colt, n letter on board stating that the
Barcelona being an American bottom and
under the American flag could not be sub.
jeced to such search; and that if she was
fired upon he shold employ such means as
were in his power in repellng such attack
In pursuance Of this view, Gen, S, order
ed the artillery on duty in this city, with
their park, so many at least as was deem
ed necessary down the river, to the shore
opposite the armed schooners. The steam.
boat yesterday morning, came up, and pas,
sing the schooners, came to, at the lower
end of Squaw Island, by reason Of a head
wind. Soon after this the British hotila
weighed and stood up the river to Water
loo, on The other sde--thus again placing
themselves ADORE the steamboat, when she
would have to pass them, on her way to
this city.
Towards night the head wind luled so
that the boat could stem the current and
she proceeded on her way up. The U.
S, Revenue Cutter, Capt. DoLbins, which
arrived here yesterday, with her full COM
plemert of guns, she has usually, of late,
carried but a single one, at this time
reached the scene. She passed down the
current until abreast ofthe British Schoon
ers, when she lie. 90 her Misunderstanding
he Barcelona TO pass up on the american
side Of her The Artillery, under Gen.
Scott, had mean while moved along on
shore, keeping abreast Of the Boat, which
under these circumstances, was not molested,
An extra from the Lewstown Telo-
graph, contains the following in relation
to the evacuation Of Navy Island;
Gen. Van Rensselaer, and the Patriots,
seems at length TO have come Yankee
over McNab and his Royal boys. 1t
seems that for severa days the Island has
been in no adequate state of defence, all
the field pieces. small arms, Ell cetern, with
the exception Of the State property and
so muskets having left on Thursday last,
and gone Duncombeward.
Ever since that time encroachmenis
might have been made upon Mckenzie 8
Government with impunlty by her Ma
jes'y's forces, ifthey had known a thing
or two Our informant says that the ar
my was dsbanded this morning at two
| O'Clock, and started for White Haven, on
Grand Island, from which place they were
to cross over to the American side,
but 1t is presumed that there is q
principle Of cohesion among them, that will
ultimately produce reunion.
II is said that before they were disban-
ded, conference was held to ascertain the
number who wished to be excused from
further duty. About 90 chose to 90 home.
A III the others were determined to unite
their fortunes with the destlnies of Van
Rensselaer, and Mckenzie. What those
destinies will be, time will soon disclose.
Bills have passed the Colonial Paria
ment Of The Upper Province, for the sus
pension of Habeas Corpus act, and for the
trial Of foreigners, taken in arms, by Court
Martial.
One hundred and ten y. s. sofners ar
rived at Buffalo on "Wednesday evening.
The Buffalo Star, Of the 18th, has the
follow paragraph.
A rumOr very much like the truth. has
reached this city, that official news, has
been received by Col McNab, that Dun
| combe had taken Maiden, and other towns
on The western frontier of Canada, and was
making rapid progress, with nearly 5000
men, well armed. II this be true, which
we have very little reason to doubt, the
seat OF war will s0on return to the Niagara
frontier. McNab viii have only got rid OF
Van Rensselaer,, for season to b, met bv
both Duncombe and Van Rensselaer, in
such position that he will be obliged to
! fight or run.
There are many rumors connected with
the above, and other matters rela ling to
Canada. One is, that the Patriots on the
borders Of Lake Slmcoc. near Toronto,
have risen in some force, seized the arsenal
Of the North West Far Company, and are
marching upon Toronto.
Az Express had reached the Government
house at Toronto, with dispatches to the
effect that Duncombe, with 800 men and
some pieces Of cannon from Detroit, had
taken possession of the island of Bots Blanc,
as has been already mentioned.
And to balance these accounts, is ono,h.
or by an express at Kingston, from the
London district, signed by John &. Askln,
stating that detachment of royaist boats
had succeeded IN capturing, after short
engagement, near Maiden, schooner with
400 stand of arms 3 pieces of cannon, and
an abundance of ammunition on board-the
number OF men not mentioned, but it is sta