Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-04-10
proceedings in relation to Aaron to Ad,
miral Montagu
NEwPoRT, July 90, l772.

NEWPORT, July %, l772.
Sir Your favor Of the 9th inst.
have received, together with The infor
nation given by one Aaron, mulaii'
, servant, relative to the destruction o
the Gaspee on receiving of which
, pursued every measure in my power I,
investigate and find out The truth Of tn,
various assertions comprised in his de
! claration for which end caused to b.
examined on oath some ofthe family will
whom this declarant lived as a servant
persons of credit and established charac
ter, who were separately examined, ano
whose testimony perfectly agreed il
every circumstance on such examination
by which, and from the general bad
character Of the declarant, | was fully
convinced that no regard could bo had
to this information that The declarant
could not be present OF the time when
this offence was committed, as il is fully
proved that he was at home, on an island
near seven miles from the place where
the disaster happened however, being
very solci'ous that every inquiry should
be made that might reflect ght on this
unhappy affair, had conference with
one Of the Judges Of the Superior Court,
before whom this matter mus, finally
come 10 be adjudged, who gave i, as his
opinion, that il was absolutely necessa-
ry that this declarant should be deliver
cd up to the civil authority TO be proper
~ examined. He therefore issued his
warrant TO take Aaron into his custody.
AT the same time wrote Capt. Llnzce
letter requesting him to deliver him to
the Sheriff, in order TO his being examiD-
ed, both which were treated by Capt
Linzee with great contempt, and by him
utterly disregarded What could be
his motives or reasons for such con-
duct, am not able to account for. II
certainly is great contemp. Of the civil
authority Of this colony, who have the
only power and jurisdiction to try all and
every offence committed within the same,
to refuse delivering up an offender, who,
by his own confession, hath acknowledged
his guilt, and what is sufficient for his
conviction, sppposng what he hath de-
clared to be true, and, if otherwise, he
ought to be proceeded against agreeably
to law, and punished according TO his
offence. l have transmitted TO you the
several dispositions, by which aprre-
hend you will agree with me in opinion,
that no dependence can be had on the
declaration given by the informant, but
must wholly be disregarded. NiIany Of
this kind is not new. We have recent
instance Of this sort at home. Britain
and others conspiring in the most horrid
manner to charge the officers Of state
with crime that the whole world knew
they could not possibly be guilty Of
The schooner, when she was destroy
ed lay aground in narrow river near
thirty miles from the main aca, and
as all ports and havens are mira corpus
comitatus, ] am Of opinion, that in this
case, the Admiral hath no jurisdiction.
His Honor the Chief Justice has favor
ed me with his opinion on this matter,
which herewith ! enclose. When Aa-
ron is delivered into the hands Of the
civil authority, whatever is legal and
necessary will undoubtedly be done. ]
have advised with the Kings Attorney,
whose opinion and advice comedies with
wha, have written on the subject of
Aaron's declaration.
am your Ionor's most obedicnt
humble servant, J. WANTON.
The Honorable Admiral MoNrAGU.
The following was his answer
BosroN, Is, September, l779.
Sir IL received your letter dated
22d July, with three dispositions enclosed.
| deferred answering il till ] had seen
and examined Aaron, the black indenied
servant, who says he was in one of the
boats that boarded and burnt the Gas
pee and it is clear TO me from many
corroboraiing circumstances, that he is
no impostor Sorry | am that no re-
gard can be had to his information in
your opinion. In my opinion, the deposit
iions your Exccllency sent me prove
nothing that confuies any thing he has
said. However, il is not in my power
to do more than have to bring the Of
tenders TO justice the whole must rest
with you, who are upon the spot find
the master Of Aaron, the black, has sr-
rested Captain Linzee for the detention
Of his servant therefore, as Captain
Lnzce has done nothing but by orders,
have bailed him, and will keep the fel-
low. did intend sending him to you,
had not his master taken this step.
shall not trouble your Execellency any
more on the subject Of the Gaspee, but
leave the result Of the whole conduct Of
his Majesiy's good subjects at Rhode
Island 10 him and his ministers, and am,
sir, your most obedient and humble
servant, J. MONTAGU.
Governor WANToN.
Here ended the proceedings Of the
colony and the English Admiral in rcla-
tion TO this subject. Soon after, the fol-
lowing papers arrived in this country
from the government at home -
r.. s. GEORGE Il.
by the King.
a PROCLAMATION.
For the discovering and apprchcnding
/ the persons who plundercd and burnt
\ the Gaspco schooner, aud barbarous-