The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-10-05
From the St. Adams Messenger.

gross outrage committed upon our rights as a ma
ton, and upon the lives and liberty OF individuals
in The forcibe seizure and abduction OF Col. james
w. Grogan, we have been enabled to gather fur
Their testimony in relation TO the affair, which we
lose time in presenting to our readers AZ
might have been anticipated such an outrage could
not but be followed by the evaporation and excite
ment the people, and 1t is highly credible to our
! fellow townsmen that Immediately upon the arri-
val of the Of Col .Grogan's seizures they made
due preparations for the procurement OF bindisputa-
BILE facts which they might lay before the Govern
or OF Vermont and the proper authorities at WASH
ington. AT large and respectable meetings at the
Court House, on the 2lst aad 22d insts., the pubs
lie sentiment manifested, and facts and resolu
tions were presented for the consideration Of the
people generally.
The committee appointed 10 collect testimony
relative to the illegal transaction reported on Wed
| nesday evening, and read to very large audience
sundry aidavits, the substance Of which we are a.
bout to communicate TO our renders. Those aftida
wits indicate plainly that rumor had not magnified
the atrocity OF the act
1t appears Il ON one Of the affidavits that the
9th inst, there were present at the tavern of j.
M. Sowles, at Alburgh, short distance this side
of the line, sundry persons from Canada, in com
pany with James w. Grogan, and among The rest
dragoon who urged Grogan to drink, and was
particularly attentive TO him much so that his
coutteses became suspicons.-The suspicious
communicated to Grogan, and be was advised
that plan afoot to kidnap him and TO trans
port him TO Canada. Grogan finally following the
friendly advice given him. went to Alburgh City,
so called, and afterwards went pass the night at
the house of Mr.. VIM. Brown, his brother in law :,
who resides about three miles from the boundary
line
From the affidavit of another, 1t appears that
William Brown and his wife were awakened about
9 o'clock in the morning Of Monday the 20th Sept.
by noise occasoneG by the breaking open, and
forcible entrance, Of gang of armed into
their dwelling. This gang consisting Of fifteen or
| moro, ia the uniform of British Soldiers, and
could be seen by the lantern they carried, fully
armed. Dir Brown sprang from the bed upon per
ceiving the intruders, and was met at the door OF
his sleeping room, by British ruffian who present
cd bis gun and bayonet, and ordered him to remain
qniet
Mr. Brown called aloud TO his who were
! sleeping above, and was threatened by the soldier
that he would certainly be shot unless he desisted
speaking. The remainder of the gang rushed into
the adjoining room, where Col. Grogan was sleep
ing, crying out as they entered, .Here he isr'-
''here he is!'-"shoot him--blow his brains OUT
They seized him and dragged him from his bed and
carried him by force through the house. and con
veyed him TO the road, where were vehicles in
| readiness to take him across the line. Mr. Brown
| lestifes that he was apparently strangled that
he could neither speak or make even a show of re
sistunce.
1t appears from another affidavit that the son of
| Mr. VIM
soon as he could put his clothes, and was met by
| ono OF the British dragoons--an Irshman, as he
thought-who cooked his gun and ordered him to
| return, or he would shoot. Soon after they had
off with Grogan, young Mr. Brown discovered a
drab colored hat British bayonet, and cotton
handkerchief which they dropped in the hurry OF
| their proceedings Soon after day light a British
Dragon was seen riding towards the house of Mr.
Brown, apparently in search of the articles which
! the rufiians had accidentally lost. AS soon as he
saw he discovered he ran his horse back to
Her Majesty dominions.
| From another affidavit, it appears that gentle
man going from Clarenceville to Missisquoi Bay
overlook a wagon, in which james w .Grogan
four armed soldiers and driver, and four mounted
Dragons liding and keeping guard by the wagon.
Grogan was placed in the bottom off the wagon.
Upon their arrival at the Bay, Grogan remained in
the wagon surrounded by strong guard, in frcnt
OF the guard house, for about quarter of an hour
after which he ordered into the Guard House
and from thence was taken 10 Mon treal (srogan
appeared badly wounded and bruised-his face was
very much disfgured, and was with great Difficult
ty ne could walk or step. The party that brough,
him 10 the Guard House from Aburgh, ,cns for
n'atty dismissed in true military styte 6y Sargean
Read, 'oho belongs to Capt Jones company ofLigh
Dragons an Her .Maiestys service. 1t was report
ed at Mssisquoi Bay, that on the evening prev
Gus to the transaction above detailed, Capt Jones
had been heard to say that he had despatched {
squad of men after Col. Grogan and that Grogar
would, without fail, be taken that night
The substance OF the above afFidavits (save one
was read aloud at the meeting held at ST. Adams
on tho evening of the 22d, and upon the correctness
OF the facts no doubt need be entertained. The,
are proof indsputable that armed force in he
! Majesty's service--actng by command of superio
officers in the service Of her Majesty-e IN
np forrs