Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-04-10

and ready to attend the commissioners
to give them an account Of the steps he
had taken in order to discover the per-
sons who destroyed his Majesty IS schoon-
er Gaspee. A message was sent to MIR.
Sessions requesting his attendance, who
accordingly came before the commis-
sioners and was by them requested to
give in writing upon oath a full and par
,icular account Of the measures he had
taken in order to the discovery Of the
persons who perpetratcd the aforesaid
crime, which he assured the commissions
ers he would do without loss Of time.
Stephen Hopkins, Esq. Chief Justice
Of said Colony, also appeared before the
commissioners and assured them he was
ready and willing to aid and assist the
commissioners in the exercise Of the pow
er and authority with which they are in
vested for discovering the persons who
destroyed The Gaspee schooner, Sc
The commissioners then requested Mr..
Hopkins to give them in writing a full
and particular account OF all the proceed
ings had and done by him for discover
ing and bringing 10 justice the persons
who committed the aforesaid offence,
aud also what knowledge or information
he had obtained OF the assembling, arm
ing, and leading on the persons who per.
petrated the same, which he also promis-
ed to do without loss Of time.
The proceedings on the commission
were then adjourned till to morrow al
ten o'clock before noon, then TO meet at
The Colony House aforesaid.
Friday, January 9, 1913.
The commissioners met according to
adjournment.
Present, Joseph Wanton, Esq. Daniel
II Horsemandcr, Esq. Frederick Smylhe,
Esq, Peter Oliver, Esq, Robert Auch-
muty, Esq.
Mr.. Brenton one Of the Secretaries
under the present commission, was ex.
amined by the commissioners touching
the obstruction TO the execution Of a war
rant issued by Metcalf Bowler, Esq, on
the l7lh of July last, in order to appre-
hend the negro Aaron, then on board
his Majesty's ship tho Beaver, which
examination was reduced TO writing,
sworn to before the commissioners, and
ordered 10 be filed.
The commissioners thought it advisa-
BILE to defer The examination Of any Of
the witnesses respecting the burning Of
The Gaspee, Sc, until the arrival Of
Admiral Montsgu at Newport, or they
receive an answer from him to their let
ter written the 9Th inst. and transmitted
by Capt Symonds,
The proceedings on the commission
then adjourned till tomorrow at ten o.
clock in the forenoon, then to meet at
the Colony House, aforesaid.
Saturday, January Q, 1918.
The commissioners met according to
adjournment.
Present, Joseph Wanton, Esq, Dan
eI Horsemander, Esq Frederick Smy,he,
Esq, Peter Oliver. Esq, aud Robert
Auchmuiy, Esq.
Darius Sessions, Deputy Governor Of
the Colony of Rhode Island, attended
the commissioners with a declaration in
writing containing Il full and particular
account of the measures he had taken in
order to make discovery Of the persons
concerned in the attacking and burning
the Gaspee schooner, which was read,
sworn to, and ordered to be filed.
"A letter was delivered TO the commits
sioners about 9 o'clock, p. M. then set
ling q, the Colony House, by express,
in answer to their letter OF - for
warded b. Capt. Symonds, which was
read and ordered TO be filed.
The commissioners Immediately agreed
to an answer, which was written accord.
ngly and sent of about 8 o'clock by the
same express.
During the session Of the commission
ers, various letters passed between them
and Admiral Montagu. These will be
given in the order of time.
NEwroR~, January 5, 1913.
Sir We, his Majesty's commissions
ers for enquiring into the attacking burn
ing and pIunderng his Majes,y's schoon-
er the Gaspce, &C., being met at this
pace, III OrutT 10 prevent tne d0Iay oil
business, thought proper TO receive the
royal commission and Instructions from
Capt. Keeler, which, until yours Of the
I'd inst, we concluded would have been
delivered by you. This day the com.
mission was opened and published, and
the Instructions carefully peruscd, in
one Of which We find the following
words "To the end that they may be
accordingly arrested and delivered to
the custody Of the commander-in-chief {
of our ships and vessels in North Ameri-
ca, pursuant to such directions as we
have thought fit TO give for that pur-
pose" BY virtue Of these words, we
conceive, that in case any person or
persons should be arrested for the above
mentioned crime, you are the only per-
son TO whom such prisoners can regular
ly be delivered for safe custody there
fore we think your attendance at New
port is absolutely necessary. We are
sorry TO give you this trouble, but our
duty, as We aPprehcnd, obliges us to do
II.
We are, sir, with great respect, your
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