Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-04-17

II y. bNENlON.
NEWPORT, January 8, I713.
4 Sworn to before the commissioners
/ j. V"nion, Fred, Smyhe,
Dan Horsemander, Peter Oiiuer.
\ Root. .auchmuiy.
\ Colony Of RHODE ISLAND, Sc.
II BE it remembered that ut Newport IL
said colony, on the ninth day of Januar,
in the year of our Lord ono thousano
seven hundred and sevcniy-ihree, belor,
the commissioners appointed by CON
mission under the great seal of Greu
Britain, for inquiring into and reporting
unto his Majesty all the circumstance,
of burning his Majcs,y's schooner Gas
pee, Sc, on the tenth Of jane last, il
his proper person came and appeared the
Hon. Darius Sessions, Esq Of Provi.
dence, and deputy governor of the colo
ny aforesaid, who being duly sworn up
on the Holy Eyangelists Of Almighty
God /; testilieih and saith that in the
evening of the ninth Of June last, at a
bout nine o'clock, he heard drum beat
IN the street opposite to his house Soon
alterhe went TO his window aud look ed
out, and saw the drum surrounded by a
number Of boys at some distance from
the house going up street ; in a short
time afterwards he heard the drum re-.
turning, whereupon he went back to his
window, where he remained until il pass.
ed his house, and, as the moon shone
very bright, he could plainly discover
they were only a company OF boys, not
exceeding ten or twelve in number, two
or three Of which appeared to be abon,
thirteen or fourteen years Of age, the
others about ten or twelve +; and conclud-
ing they were gathered together with
no other design than To divert themselves
with the drum, he retired from his win
dow without saying anything to the BOYS,
soon after which the noise of the drum
ceased the remaining part of that mig hl
he heard not the least noise or disturb
ance ~ The streets or in any other part
ol the town, nor received any the least
hint, suggestion, intimalion or informa-
ton ol any riot, outrage or tumultuous
assembling Of the people, nor intention
thereof, neither did he then know there
was an armed vessel in the verAlearerI
than the town of Newport, which is thir-
ty miles from Providence had he known
or even suspected any riot, his utmost
endeavors would have been eyeted IN
snppressing it. The next morning one
oi his De'shbors came and told him the
Gaspce was burnt and the captain wound 4
ed, and that an express had arrived in !
Town tor surgeon 10 dress the wounds
Df the ofhcer who lay then at Pawtuyet,
about five miles from Providence. I'm
nedIately upon hearing this dsagreea-
lie news, he set out with a design TO ey-
muse INTO The affair, and when he reach
~ Iawtuxet he saw the schooner on [,
ire, lying on point Of land called and
'nowD by the name of Namqut Point, I
bout two miles from Paw,uxet, in the
own OF Warwick, in the county OF Kent
nd colony aforesaid. He made inoui-
II any Of the offenders were known,
'nt could get no information he then,
vent TO a small house by the shore
where he heard Lieutenant Duddinrs
on. was lodged, and there found him inI
angerous circumstances. He told Leu
enan, Duddings s,on If he wanted money Il,
urg'ons or better lodgings, or any kind
assistance, he should have every re.
ef in his power MIR. budding slon re-
ned, that he had saved his money
Inch was about one hundred dollars.
nd therefore wanted no favors for him II
Ell, hut desired that some care mighi III
taken OF his people, tina, they mig H
e collected together and sent 10 the
'diniraI M Boston, or on board the Bea. ,
or at Newport, which the deponenrIIt
he would do. lie then tod Il
ir, Dudd'ngston the design Of his yisi, q
that time was not cnly to afford him h
~ assistance he might need, but also
procure such a declaration from his i,
'n mouth respecting the attack tba, :
ID been made on his person, and the "
'ssel he commanded, that the offend. 3,
S might be brought to justice. Mr.. Il
answered, that hc would ~
We him no account Of the matter first. W
cause OF his ndispostion Of body, and n
cond, because it was his duty TO for h,
ar anything of,hat nature until he had y,
ne II unto court martial, unto which. \ if
he lived, he would bo called by his h,
officer. The deponent then TO
Red hIm II he was willing he should ei
anime his officers and people, which 10
er some reiusal he consented to, and ",
y all agreeing nearly to everything III
ienal relative to the destruction o. the ",
looner, he forthwith Transmitted con. hi
"fihelr examinations 10 The Govern. rr,
lhe deponent then gave orders that III
seamen should be collected together re-
} provided with viciuals and lodpinos.
that boat should be got ready by th,
next morning to carry them on board Sc
Beaver, all which was executed
h care aud expedition. The demo- no
u also gave orders that The stores and ,h,
'ans should be collected and loducd Ca
ware house, which wcs done, and tho
y after delivered to Capt. Lindsey Sa
he Beaver. lie also desired n zen. wa
nan, who lived near Mr.. Duddnps. a,
TO supply MIR. Duddingston with any hiu
x ne wanted, aud also that he would ne,
'e and entertain any surg gcons or 9th ina
who might come 10 visit HIM. and daI
IN the deponent verify believes he the
lu cnp,pl,nH al.