Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-01

iiS Noo heoeNa Nieh S<Nht hhAoiihOcoi anu NiooN
ly guarded; and that as soon as his friends
were apprised of his situation, they hastened tC
the headquarters of the English army to solicit
his release, but it was peremptorily refused
and they were not even permitted to see him
and that he had been carried as prisoner OIL
board the fleet And finding their own efforts
unavailng and alarmed for his safety, his
friends in and about Marlboro thought it adj
visable that Mr. West should hasten to George.
town, apd request Mr. kcytc Obtain. the sane
ton of the governmental to his going on board Of
the Admirals ship, under flag of truce, and
endeavoring to obtain the release of DR.. Beane
before the feet sailed. 1t was then lying at
the mouth Of the Potomac, and its destination
was not at that time known with certainty.
Dr. Beane, as perhaps you know, was the
leading physician in Upper Marlboro, and an
accomplished scholar and gentleman. He was
highly respected by all who knew him; was
the family physician of Mr.. West, and the inti-
mate friend Of Mr.. Key. lie occupied one Of
the best houses in Upper Marlboro, and lived
very handsomely; and his house was selected
for the quarters of Admiral CoclSburn, and
some Of the principal officers Of the army,
when the British troops encampcd at Marlboro
on the march to Washington. These officers
were, of course, furnished with everything that
the house could offer; and they, in return,
treated him with much courtesy, and placed
guards around his grounds and outhouses, to
prevent depredatons by their troops.
But on the return of the army to the ships,
after the main body had passed through the
town, straggers who had left the ranks to plum
Der, or from some other motives maoc tneu
anDearane. Gon rIme TO time, singly or IN
small squads, and Dr. Beane put himself at the
head of small body OF citizens to pursue and
make prisoners Of them. Information of the
proceedings was, by some means or other con
veyed to the English camp, and the detach-
mont Of which we have spoken, was sent back
to release the prisoners and sieze DR.. Bcane.
They did not seem TO regard him, and certainly
did not treat him as prisoner Of war, but as
one who had deceived and broken his faith
with them.
Mr.. Key readily agreed to undertake the
mission in bis favor, and the President prompt
IL gave his sanction toit. Orders were ipne
fdiatery 10 the vcsseis usually employed
as n cartel in the communication with the lee
in the Chesapeake, to be made ready without
delay; and Mr.. John s. Skinner, who was agent
for the government for flags Of truce and ex
change of prisoners, and who was well knowr
as such 10 the officers Of the fleet, was directed
to accompany Mr.. Key. And so soon as Tho
arrangements were made, he fastened TO Bal
timore, whence the vessel was to sail ant
Mrs. Key ard the children went with me t.
Frederick and thence to bis fathers on Pipe
creek where she remained until he returned.
We heard nothing from him until the enemy
retreated from Baltimore, which, as well as
now can recollect, was week or ten days af
ter he left us; and we were becoming uneasy
about him, when, to our great joy, he made hi
appearance at my house, on his way to join hi
family.
He told me that he found the British fleet q
the mouth of the Potomac, preparing for th'
expedition against Baltimore. lie was courte
ously received by Admiral Cochrane and tn,
officers of the army as well as the navy. Blu
when he made known his business, his appli
cation was received so coldy that he feared j
would fail. General Ross and Admiral Cock
burn, who accompanied the expedition t
Washington particularly the latter spoke 0
DIR. Beane in very harsh terms, and at first no
disposed to release him. 1t however happenct
fortunately, that Mr.. Skinner carried letter
from the wounded British officers, left at Bla
densburg, and in these letters to their friend
on board the fleet they all spoke of the human
ty and kindness with which they had beer
treated after they had fallen into our hands,
And after good deal Of conversation, ant
strong representations from Mr.. Key as to tht
character and standing of DIR. Beane, and o
the deep irrtvrr-a ssh;-h tLe. community il
which he lived took in his fate, General Ros
said that DR.. Beane deserved much more pun
ishment than he had received; but that he fel
himself bound to make return for the kind
ness which had been shown to his wounded of
ficers, whom he had been compelled to leav,
at Bladensburg; and upon that ground, ant
that only, he would release him. But Mr.. Key
was at the same time informed that he, or any
one else would be permitted to leave the fee
for some days; and must be detained until thu
attack on Baltimore, which was then about tC
4 be made, was over But he was assured thai
they would make him and Mr. Skinner as com
Portable as possible while they detained them
Admiral Cochrane, with whom they dined OF
the day of their arrival, apologized for not ac
commodating them with his own ship, saying
thst it was crowded already with officers of the
army but they would be well taken care o
in the fIigate Surprise, commanded by his son
Thomas Cochrane. And to this figate they
were accordingly transferred
Mr.. Key had an interview with DR.. Beane
before General Ross consented to release him
| do not recolect whether he was on board th,