The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-09-20
The Round Island Affair

The INo61te RegaSter of the 9th says;
Il appears that there are five hundred anc
four men encamped on that is;lnt. II ey
.exhibit no appearance OF military organ
ization, hu. are kept under strict arrange
ments he preser .atlon Of order. J hey
are believed, however, 10 compose reg.
ment under the C mmand Q! Col. " ME
! of Y ucatan celebrity, Lieut.. Col Biscoe
and MAJOR Hariss. The Culonel and
Major pass much of their time al Pasca-
goula, and are said to be intelligent and
pleasant gentleman.
The men On the island are in possession
of plenty of money, and obtain their sup
plies of provisions from New Orleans
Some apprehensions were entertained ol
obstrucuons in procuring supplies, in con-
sequence Of Com. Randolph proclama-
ton; but they have succeeded IN eluding
the vigilance of the five vessels (the Alba
ny, the Flirt, the Gen. Taylor, the Nymph
and the Water Witch) which closely in
vests the island. On Sunday, schooner
arrived from New Orleans, laden with pro-
visions, and anchored at the wharf at Pas
cagoula. That night, Major Harlss went
aboard, and the schooner quietly slipped
from her anchorage, and sailed for the west
end of the island, where she was run on
the beach. Immediately she was boarded
by I50 men, and her cargo was taken out
and hoated or carried ashore. Before it
was entirely removed, however, the Off
GERS Of the NYmph had got notice of the
movement, and boat was dispatched IN
pursuit. Upon arrival at The schooner, il
found all the cargo gone, except nine bar
reis OF bread, one barrel OF sugar, anI bag
Of coffee. These the officers Cf the boat
forbid being taken ashore, and the Round
Islanders were compelled TO submit. Maj.
Hariss returnediin The boat, and passed the
night upon The Nymph. being upon friend
ly terms with The commanded.
This affair created considerable excite
ment at Pascagoula, ana on board Genera.
Iayt0r'S squadron. The general senti-
meut was, that tne United STATES officers
had no lawful authority for interfering with
the persons on The island, as they are un-
armed, Or with any OF their peaceful COM
munIcations with The shore Or with New
Orleans.
Com. Randolph seems TO have taken the
view himself and 10 De convinced that lac
had gone too far i'll his proclamatlon.-I
SuHSC uSNuks Oh NiOHQdS iHUtAlilS, HG
sent communication to the island, intCrm-
ing lis occupants that hereafter he would
not Interfere with the.r proceedings, fur
than to prevent any armed departure Ill
sea-golng vessels from the island, thai tuel
would be allowed to receive supplies but
not arms. the Commander has very
properly come 10 the conclusion that he
mas no authority to do more than to pre-
vent the fitting out and conveyance OF an
armed expedition from the Uuited States.
Little doubt is entertained at Pascagou-
la, but that the object of this assemblage is
to make an attack upon The Island Of Cuba,
IN connection with similar crusades from
other parts of the United States.
The New Orleans papers state that Ii
was rumored at Pasclgoula that to-day
some of The officers OF the Round islam
ders' intended to make application to the
legal authorities at that place, for civil
process against the officers VINO have cut
off their supplies, and endeayor TO have
them arrested on peace warrant.