The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-04-10
JOURNAL OF A NAVAL OFFICER,
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
KEPT BY JOHN rREvErr, OF NEwPoRl
CCon,inued.1

Next day began with pleasant weather;
all hands on board busy in getting the ship
Mary, formerly commanded by Capt. Hen
ry Johnson, and large brig that we also
captured, with large quantity of Indigo on
board, ready for sea. Our third Lieutenant,
Mr.. Daniel Bears, was put on board the
brig as prize master. The town continued
in great confusion; many ofihe inhabitants
moving their valuable goods, and numbers
Of oil colors under arms, around the Gov
ernor's house, and all the hills around alive
with them, their guns glistening in the sun.
They gave me but very little uneasiness,
as had then in the Fort twenty-five men
beside myself! and all in good spirits, and
many Of them anxious for me to order them
TO fire on what thev called black k-beards |;
but thought knew what ground stood
on, and<f could do without it, l was desir-
Gus, in my own mind, not to shed blood.
This morning came within half a pistol
shot Of the Fort some nf,hnsc colored troops,
one of them hallooing to the others, seeing
me on the wall Of the Fort. and pointing to
me, 4" See there is that id long nose
Buckerer come again, that carried away
Governor Brown" paid no attention 10
such small stuff. Soon after, the Collector,
Mr. Hunt, aud Two gentlemen came down
near the Fort; perceived they wished to
speak to me, and bad the scaling ladder
launched over the walls of the Fort, and
went down To meet them, aud found that
Gov. Gambler had sent down Collector
Hunt and the two gentlemen to enquire of
me what our intentions were. ! informed
them that Com. 3Jdle had given orders 10
Capt. Rnihhone to take Fort Nassau, and
all armed vessels, and all American proper
" we could find in the harbor of New Prov
idencr, and likewise to hold sacred all pri
vstc property; with which orders ment 10
assured, mud he might take to himself, aud
give to his friends my word, on the honor
of an American officer, that his person and
those of the Inhabitants, should he protect
ed. nlso told them that understood that
Capt. Chambers agent had sahs, rigging,
&c, in one of his stores, near his house,
and I wanted the whole sent down under
the Fort.
waited about one hour after they left
me but heard nothing further from the Gov
ernor. I then told Lieut.. Molten that |
would have The scaling ladder launched,
and 60 in person among the rabble Of all
colors, then in sight of the Fort, and il he
saw any confusion among them when
reached them, not to pay any attention to
my being there, but to give them two or
three eighteen Founders, which were all
loaded with grape and lansrage. gave
myself one hour to 60 and come in; and
took my sword in my hand, as walking
staff, and set out. had walked but few
steps, before came across Collector Hunt; /;
he asked me where bound." ! informed
him, and he said if it was agreeable to me
he would go with me told him it was a.
preesble and he said il was all in my way
to stop at the agents house. then inform
ed him what orders had left at the Fort,
and that had but q short time to spend. He
said j, would detain the but few minutes.
We accordingly went to the house Of the
agent, and his wife soon made her appear
ance, bu, seemed not very well pleased. ]
asked her where her husband was, and she
informed me that he was on the Hills, and
had not been a, home since we had taken the
Fort. Mr.. Hunt asked me to sit down, and
hauded me a chair. / said had no time
to si,-,ho lady did not seem pleased.
informed her ] wns going to see her hus-
band, and he could come home when he
chose, for ] would proiec, him and his prop
ery. Mr. Hunt said TO her, where are
your bottles of wine A servant soon
brought them on, but she did not take any.
Mr. Hunt and myself took glass each,
and then We started to GO up the Hill !
anon saw the gentleman, and informed hrs
what ] csme fr. He readily complied,
and desired Mr.. IIuat to walk with me, and
request his vile to send Ill the sails and
rigging. &c. do~a by his servants; which
vac dsae.
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