Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-06-15

sons, sustained by evidence the most
complete and explicit, drawn out in de-
taxi for the consideration Of his Lord
ship, who. in the solicitude to support
justice. closed every avenue to negotla-
ton, sprung his broadside to the town.
and refused to listen to anything.
MIR. Charlton, former Consul to Ill.
B. NJ, after committing series ct high
ly dlsreputable acts and involving HIM
self to large amount, suddenly decam-
ped from the islands, without giving any
notice of his intention previous to going,
engaging passage in the na;ae OF another
person, and. in the hurry OF his depar-
ture. forgetting to pay his creditors.
After his departure, blr. Simpson pro
dnced authority from Mr.. Charlton, del
egating to him his consular functions. -
MIR. s. was obnoxious to this Government
for bis declared hostility. He had O.
penly insulted the Governor OF OaEu.
had publicly threatened to involve the
Government in difficulties, and even to
procure the hosting of the English flag
He had also refused to abide by the de-
cisions of jurists. and acknowledge the
existing laws. His recognition was al
so protested against by two agents Of
the Hudson Bay Compargs~s ~ repre-
sent the chief commercial Interest OF
Great Britain in these Islands. That
the King paused for advice from Fl. B
ii. Government, before he recognized
the unconGrned appointment, to res
ponsible office, of a person obnoxleus to
all parties including his own countrymen,
over whose interests he was called upon
! to preside, is strong testimony on his
honesty and good sense.
The King vas also compelled by an ar
bitrary act of power to remove an attach
| ment which had been levied unon the lam
ded property Of Mir. Charlton, for the
collection, in the course of law, of a
debt acknowledged BY Mr.. c., and de.
cded upon by jury, which Mr.. c. had
quite forgotten to provide for when ne
ceased to be found in this community.
He was also compelled to SET aside the
formal decisions of juries. impanneled
according to law, and to promise new
trials.
Compliance having been procured with
the exactions already named, others
were devised by H. B. Nj. acting Con-
sui (now acknowledged more unjust and
arbitrary. but fully sustaining the epu-
ticn and talents of Mr. Simpson. Ex-
orbitant indemn;ties were claimed with
out any damages being proved, only pre-
tended, on the most frivolous pretext'
Demands were made for the immediate
! payments of damages in cases still pen.
ding before the courts, and under the
previous protest to II. b. Majesty.
will! instance one case as a specimen
Mr.. Skinner. agent for Mr.. CharltOn,
as he pretended, put a claim of dana
ges. in consequence OF the alleged reser,
i walton Of $40, 0Go, made for tie .ssafle
of bidding in alr.LGhd - scPfopefry,
..uhen Ashouu be sold at auction under
! the attachment. in order that it might
not be sacrificed. For this act of gen
erous fidelity TO the interest Of him EN-.
/ ployed, Mr.. Skinner, with equal gener-
osity. waving heavy damages proposed
to content himself with $4,000, or inter-
est at 66 pei centum, and with unboun.
ded liberality agreed to wait ten days fol
the payment of the cash. This demand
and others like ii, were supported by his
Lo:dship with threats of immediate
force. When MIR. Skinner was asked
to show his authority as agent, the re.
quest was considered as quite imperti.
nent. Demands for proofs of the dana.
ges were also disregarded, as bubbles
altogether vexatious and inapplicable tc
the case. When it was asked what pc.
culiar foresight had endowed MIR. Simp.
son with the right to assume that the
property would be sacrificed atauction
or how there could be any just demand
for the immediate payment of damages
g. ounded on case which had alreac 2
been referred to II. B. Majesty for deci.
sion, his Lord2hip flew into passion
and with considerable animation, threat.
ened to hoist the British flag forth.
| with.
One circumstance which more fully
sets forth his consciousness Of injustice
in using these measures, remains to BIZ
mentioned. fis Lordshlp positively re-
fused to discuss the subject in writing.
insisting On canvassing it verbally, in
private interview with the King; aud be.
sides Withholding proof, even copies o.
the claims preferred were denied, anc
reference tofhe records Of the Court pre-
vented. The King was to choose be-
tween Immediate admission and pay
lnent, or immediate hostilities.
One demand followed another. until il
became apparent that the true object was
to find some pretence for taking posses.
sion OF the islands, on the refusal or ina
bility Of the Government 10 comply witt
the exactions. The spirit of the King
was at last. broken, and declaring thai
he had no n,eacs of meeting the pay
ment Il such heavy indemnities, land that
! be would not violate the laws and con
/ ift,},n rG 4l,o hu II