Newspaper Page Text
have not abandoned their intention of invading j
Canada, and they intend rallying at some point ;
A few days will determine this point.
Correspondence of the Albany Argus.
evacuation of navy island.
Buffalo, January 15th, 1839.
p ear sir;—l avail myselfof an express, on
the eve of starting for the East, to say, that
the force assembled on Navy Island evacuated |
last night—that they arc now some where on
our shore, it is understood, endeavoring to
make their wav to some point higher up. to
embark for where is not precisely known—
without arms. The State cannon are being'
recovered. The Marshal is on the qui vice
with his deputies, (directed by the District At- ;
torncy) to serve civil process on the leaders,//
they can be found. .
From personal examination, I am satisfied,
that the six or seven hundred guns, shot and
s u cll thrown upon the Island, killed but one .
man/ The English force, it is believed, lost;
sixteen killed by the return fire. Governor
Marcy and Gen. Scott are here, doing all that
existing laws permit, to maintain neutrality.
'J'he troyemsDE.lwxu v-ery active and till- I
cient, under circumstances of great difficulty. !
From the Buffalo Com. Adv. of Monday-
Schlosser, Monday morning, )
Jan Witry 15th, 1838. $
Navy Island was evacuated last night.—
The cannon belonging Io the United States
have been returned, and are lying at Schlos
ser.
Thus far the despatch of our correspondent.
We give below such additional information as
we have subsequently learned.
It is believed, that the large portion of Van
Rcnsseloar’s men have landed on the adjacent
parts of Grand Island, having previously sent
across the muskets, Ac., belonging to the
States, which were committed to the custody 1
of Col. Ayres. The further movements of
the disbanded force are left to conjecture.
Our messenger passed Schlosser from the
Falls, at half-past 8. As he approached Ton
awanda, the steamboat Barcelona was putting
pn steam at Whitehaven. But when he arri
ved opposite, she had left, in what direction,
he could not tell.
A boat from the Canada side lay out in the
river opposite Navy Island, early this morning,
on her oars, apparently reconnoitering for a
bout half an hour.
Two schooners, with British flags flying,
were lying about one mile below Waterloo,
which were observed by the sentries be
low Black Rock to have made their way up
early this morning. Another is lying at Wa
terloo. They are undoubtedly those which
have been at Black Creek, just above Chippe
wa for some weeks or more. The object of
their new position can only be surmised.
2 o’clock I'. M.
Gov. Marcy and Gen. Scott, who came up
from the Falls last evening, left in extra cars,
accompanied by Gen. Wool, about half past
12 o’clock, for Black Rock, and will perhaps
proceed to Grand Island. Two companies of
Artillery, with two field pieces, also left for that
quarter.
'This step, we understand, is in consequence
ofun armed’Briti.sh schooner, probably one of
those alluded to above, lying in our waters
down the river, with hostile intentions towards
the steamboat Barcelona, or any craft that
may have been employed in aid of the Navy
[slanders.
While writing the above, several discharg
es of cannon have been heard in that direc
tion. A gentleman, just arrived, says, the
schooner alluded to, has been firing at, he sup
poses, either the Barcelona, or squads of the
disbanding Navy Islanders.
'The Bufialo Commercial Advertiser con
tains a correspondence between Col. Ayro, in
command at Grand Island, and Col. McNabb,
in relation to the cannon balls and shells, that
have been thrown from the batteries upon the
Canadian frontier, upon Grand Island. Me-
Nabb, regrets the occasion of tho correspond
tnee, and attributes it to accident, Ac.
From the Lewistown Telegraph extra, Ja. 13.
Toronto. A vague rumor was circulated a
mong our citizens last evening, that the Pat
riots were again in arms back of Toronto. Fi
ring for nearly two hours was heard yesterday
in that direction.—A gentleman w,,0 left
Hamilton yesterday, says that reports there
when he left, were, that the patriots in the vi
cinity of Toronto, were exhibiting signs of
movement.
Correspondence of the New York IIcrMJ.
Fort Schlosser, Monday, (
15th Jan., 1838. ‘ $
Dear Sir:— ln a hasty postcript to my last,
written as the express messenger was leaving.
1 informed you, that Navy Island was last
night totally evacuated by the Patriot army,
with all the artillery and munitions of war.
The weather was not favorable. It came on
d ok, with a drizzling ram, and tho movement
commenced at dark, and continued, without
interruption. 'The British batteries were
throwing shells, but no one minded them. No
steam boat came down. They moved in their
own boats, crossed Grand Island to Whiteha
ven, (see map,) there to embark, for some
point up tire Lake; I have yet lo’.-irn w iere.
Previous to start.ng, they sent a scow to
Schlusser, with I 1 pieces of Artillery, most of
which belong to the states. A scow in N ag
ata river, is an awkward tiling to manage,
and nothing prevented the men and cannon
gving over the falls but a st if breeze which
suddenly sprung up nithut direction. The men
hoisted their blankets, an I though thev had
floated far down »ho|trcani, were able to make
Ik ad way against it. Y
Now the war will commence in good ear
nest, and Ido not fear the result. Ihe Pa
triot army is not less than 1,500 in number, J
some say two thousand five hundred—l mean,,
those from Navy Island. 1,000 will join them ,
in the West, and an army of 5,000 men will
have assembled around the tn-coloured, twin- i
starred banner in less than a fortnight, to .op
pose which Gov. Head has some 400 regular
troops, about the same number ofliishOr-,
angemen, and a drafted and pressed mili
tia, who, upon the first opportu lity, will join
the Patriot standard. I his is the bright side
of the picture. Perhaps lam too sanguine
time will show.
When McNabb heard of the assembling of I
waggons at Schlosser, he sent a large portion
of his force down (North) to Queenston, while,
the Patriot army have gone in the opposition.
I believe there is no force in the TV est to op
pose them. Ohio and Michigan will pour in
volunteers. It is winter, navigation on lace,
and canal is at a stand, thousands have nothing
; to do, and will fight for mere excitement. |
Never did such" important events spring from
I such trifling causes. “Great oaks,” &c. Ihe
j excitement in Buffalo was raised, the first
' public meeting called, by u journeyman printer,
land a Canadian refugee, for mere sport.
When Mackenzie escaped to Buffalo, he had ,
not the slightest intention of making another |
rally, for the present at least. He found a stall/
of intense ezeitement —he took advantage ot
it. He threw himself on the tide of popular
' feeling, it lias borne him victoriously thus far.
For several days after the occupation of
Navy Islands, there were but thirty men upon
it! Never was an army raised so expeditious
ly under a similar circumstances.
Buffalo, 5 o’clock.
The Patriot army is on Grand Island. Their
arms are on board the steamer Barcelona; she
lay at Schlosser two hours ago. Three arm
ed British schooners lie m the river below
Black Rock, with orders to fire upon her when
she comes up, Scott and Marcy are at Tona
wanda
The brigade of artillery has gone down and
is posted on shore opposite the schooners, if
| they fire the fire will be returned, and the ball
opened. Gov. Marcy’s Express was fired on
from the schooners; this has raised his danger.
This is the news up to the closing of the
mail.
The Patriots went across Grand Island ac
cording to an agreement between X an Rensse
laer and Marcy and Scott.
Cot rcspondence of the Baltimore American.
January 20.
Important from the Michigan Frontier.
The following letter, from a source of the
first respectability at Detroit conveys the par
ticulars of important events which have just
transpired in that quarter, in reference to the
revolt in Canada. We have here the (level
opment of pla’ns which have been heretofore
occasionally hinted at in the accounts which
have reached us from Buffalo:
Detroit, Jan. 7, 1838.
Our city for the last three days has been in
great confusion inconsequence of the extensive
plan of invading Canada by certain refugees
i and others having been discovered.
i Nothing of the movement was known save
that meetings had been held and resolutions
passed, but it was thought the matter would
stop there. It has turned out differently, for
on Thursday night all the State arms in our
citv Arsenal were secretly taken away; on
the same day 400 stand were openly seized at
Monroe, and on the succeeding night our jail
was robbed of all the arms and fixed ammuni
tion which had been deposited there lor safe
keeping.
, The next morning a vessel with about 800
stand and about 100 men departed from our
wharves for Bois Blanc—a British Island dis
tant 19 miles hence, and opposite Malden, at
the junction of the river Detroit with Lake
Erie. Attempts weie also to have been made
upon our city powder magazine at Dearborn,
which were frustrated by a guard being des
patched from the city in time.
Besides these daring operations, supplies
have been purchased and sent down to Bois
Blanc—subscription papers circulated, and
now containing 1000 names—Commissioners
from Navy Island tendered and accepted—en
rolments of about 700 made in the different
counties on the river—regular drills held-and,
to cap the climax, a Sutherland from New
X ork is hourly expected with a force from
Cleveland to arrive at Gibraltar, 16 miles
hence—the point of rendezvous—and to take
command of al! the forces.
As Bois Blanc overlooks "Malden, and has
upon it the remains of an old breast-work, the
Patriots, design making a depot, and intend,
after leaving thereon a guard, to attack Mal
den, proceed to Sandwich and London, and ef
fect a junction with Mackenzie at Hamilton,
Upper Canada-
Ail the operations have been conducted with
efficiency nnds cresy, and as there arc many
! disaffected on the proposed route, there is
some feasibility in the plan. He think they
will at least take Malden if they try.
From the number of men engaged, the a
mount of money expended, and the concert of
action shown in this enterprise, we conclude
that s une able head is at work.
Gov. Mason issued his proclamation 3 or 4
<!avs ago, but it was disregarded. Yesteclay
the U. S. Attorney despatched a steam boat
wuh the Marshal and posse after the schooner,
but thev were defied and threatened with the
'contents of an eighteen pounder if they ap
proached nearer than ha ling distance.
Uur citizens held a public meeting and pass
ed resolutions expressing their disapprobation
of the Patriots' mvas.ir s, and organized u
guard of 100 nun for tire protection ot the
town, which was then without any arms save
these of one volunteer corps, and liable to be
plundered of its stores by tho Patriots, or fired
on by the Royalists on the opposite side ol the
river.
Upon the return of the Marshal, a requisi
tion for arms was made upon Gen. Brady, U.
S. A., which was granted* Arms front Dear
born were brought in, and an enrolment of
200 citizens made to seize the schooner if
found within our jurisdiction. \Ve think how
ever, she has reached her | oint of destination
ere this.
WESTERN GEORGIAN- |
I
ISoissc, February 10,
- ~ —— I
Tiie Mail*.
In order to meet the Mail arrangements of,
this place, we have changed our day of publi- I
cation from Friday to Saturday morning. I
Florida.
We publish to-day, two letters from the
Standard of Union Extra, containing an ac
count of a combat between a portion of the
Seminoles, and a part of Gen. Nelson’s Bri.
gade. We have long been particularly anx
ious to hear from this “unauthorized assem
blage of men;” and as we expected, a good
account of them has at length reached us.—
We sincerely sympathise with the relations
and friends of Ensign Jennings. His death
however has been the soldier’s, and his memo
ry will live in the recollections o( his country.
TEXAS.
The House of Representatives of the State
of Tennessee, have adopted a set of Resolu
tions in favor of the annexation of 1 exas to
the United States, by a vote of 59 to 3. We
hope this will be done; and at some future pe
riod we will submit our reasons to the public.
Wc notice without publishing, an unparal
leled scene that took place in the House ol
Representatives, between Mr. Gholson of
Mississippi, and Mr. Wise of \ irginia.
We trust, for the honour of our National
Legislature, that no such scene will again oc
cur, and if it does, that the parties o it will re
ceive the punishment due to the offence.—
When the representatives of the people, in
stead of seriously deliberating on the interests
of the Nation, descend from the dignity of their
stations, and bandy obscene terms of reproach
and vulgar insults in the very halls of Con
gress, the friends of regular Government have
much to fear for the honor of their country.
'Though Mr. Wise certainly acted improper,
the member from Mississippi exceeded by his
conduct on the occasion, any thing we have
ever known to occur; and should meet the de
cided reprobation of every one—particularly
of his constituents at home.
From the Federal Union Extra.
HUZZA FOR THE GEORGIA VOLUN
TEERS !! 1
The following letters received yesterday
, evening, from the Adjutant of the first Regi-
I meet ol Georgia Volunteers, in the service ot
1 the United States in Florida, will be read with
pride and exultation, by every one who has a
heart to rejoice at the triumph of his country
; men over the common enemy, upon a field of
I glory and of arms.
These arc the despised, rejected, and Vetoed'
men, who were so recently branded as “an
unauthorised association,” and as wholly un
worthy to cat the bread of their State. They
are the same men who were denounced as a
mob, as vagabonds and as plunderers.—But
the patriotism and courage have redeemed
them from the abuse and obloquy attempted to
: be cast upon them; and those who have been
foremost and bitterest in their denunciations,
may well stand in mute amazement, at their
own weakness and folly.
The Georgia Volunteers are patriots, and
they will show it. They are soldiers, and they
will prove it.
With the relatives and friends of Ensign
Jennings, we would mingle our sorrow for his
fall; but while we mourn his death it alleviates
I our sorrow, to know that he died like a gal- .
lant soldier.
Fort Clinch, December 30, 1837. j
Dear Sir, I wrote you when we were about
tos:art tor Deadman’s Bay. We started im
mediately after the date of my letter, and pro- 1
ceedvd to that section of the country, and after
five days march, without forage for our horses,
or scarcely any thing to eat ourselves, return- |
cd to the Suwanee, without having made any <
discovery of Indians. It would be impossible ,
for me to describe the section of country j
through which we passed, so as to convey an
a k-quate idea of the d.faculties we had to en
counter in exploring it. Low, wet, marshy
land, where our horses sank over the fet
lock every step, covered with cabbage pal
meto, and occasionally interspersed wiih large
cypress hammocks, matted together with ever
greens. and vines of every sort. From the
general aspect of the country, we were all re
joiced as you may imagine, when we once
inure saw the bright waves of the Suwanee
broke upon our view. But that rejoicing WaS p
soon turned to sorrow, when we found that the
Steamboat in which we expected forage for i
our horses and provisions for ourselves, had
not arrived. In addition to that, our Surgeons ;
had not one single ounce ol medicine, or an
instrument ol any sort —-and many of our men
sick. We had expected to receive medical
stores at the same time that wc received our
arms, but they were not to be procured at
Tampa at that time, but were ordered, and
' were to come in the boat that brought us pro
i visions, ft ou may see, therefore, that we ;
were in no very enviable situation. But our I
General said, we might as well starve in the ■
field as in camps, and accordingly issued his
I orders for us to move next morning for the ■
I Wakasassee. Probably no men ever went in- '
|to the field in as bad a condition as we did.—
Oar horses worn down by five days excessive .
■ fatigue, having no forage or expectation of get
-1 ting any for the next 6 days.A our men scarcely j
in a better condition, with the certainty that if
[ one of our men was shot, or fell sick, that there
was not an instrument to extract a ball, or
medicine to relieve diseas?. But the same de- 1
j termination actuated the whole of us. We
wished to show those we left behind, who po
litely termed us an unauthorized assemblage
of men, for whom there was no use in Flori
da, that at least, we intended to put ourselves
to some use. Maj. Wilson had been despatch
ed to Tampa Bay, with live companies. Five
other companies h id been stationed in forts on
the frontier; viz: Fort. Fanning, Fort White,
Fort Baker, and Fort Clinch; leaving the first
and second Regiments, about two hundred and
forty strong, each, with w hich number we took
lup our line of march on the twenty-filth. On
the twenty-sixth, in the morning, we discover
ed fresh signs of Indians, and Col. Foster’s Re
giment was despatched to follow up a large
I fresh trail. Our Regiment then moved on,
and bad not proceeded more than a mile,when
we discovered an Indian in the woods, and im
mediately commenced a rapid pursuit, and in
a short time, he was run down and-tTiken pris
oner. About a half mile farther, we discover
ed the smoke of their fires in the edge of the
hammock, and in a few seconds Col. Chastain
and Capt. 'Thompson, at the head of his com
pany, and a part of the advance guard were
among them. Dismount and charge, was the
word, and gallantly was it obeyed. The whole
Regiment was in motion in less than a minute.
We killed five, certain. How many more 1
cannot say. 'Their wounded must have been
considerable, as the trails through the ham.
mock were marked with blood, in several di
rections. Fortunately, we did not loose a
man. Wc took one negro in their camps, and
destroyed large quantities of provisions and
i camp eqtiippage, consisting ol Arrow root,
: prepared and raw, Bear, Venison and other
■ meats, deer skins, cow hides, cooking utensils,
: i camp kettles, Ac. Many of the ariicles ol
• ! clothimg and camp cquippage had belonged to
our troops —they were probably taken at
Dade’s massacre. Among the rest, wc found
at least a hundred pounds of ball and shot; in
> fact we broke that party completely up. We
learned from the negro, that it was only a hun
ting party of thirty or forty, at that place, but
> that a great part of the tribe,(the Mickasukies)
; with a large number of women and children,
were about six miles off. in a hammock. On
the receipt of this intelligence, we dashed off
• - immediately with him for a guide, and in about
two hours came upon a large body in the o
pen woods. They discovered us and made for
the hammock. Charge, charge, was the
word, and away dashed our General, our Col.
oncl and the whole of us. It was doubtful for
some time, which would reach the hammock
first, the Indians or ourselves. 'They succee
, ded in throwing themselves in, just as we dash
ed up, and received us with a shower of rifle
,- balls, which we returned with interest, as soon
as we dismounted. We immediately charged,
and after an hours fight, in the heat of which,
we were following them through mud and wa
ter, sometimes up to our waist, routed them
compli tely. We followed their trails of blood
at least two miles, through the hammock.—
They left seven dead on the ground, besides a
number carried off. How many wounded, 1
cannot say. We were not so fortunate as in
the affair of the morning, as we lost Ensign
Jennings killed, ofCapt. G. B. Chastain’s com
pan v, and one severely wounded. Maj- Fer
rell had his horse shot under him. Col. Chas
tain had his coat cut with a bullet, and several
others slightly touched.
Thus closed, probably as gallant an affair
as has taken place in this country, for some
time. In the course of the day, we killed
twelve of the enemy, wounded a considerable
number, besides breaking up their camps and
destroying large quantities of their provisions.
Last night, we arrived here, and to our great
joy, found forage for our horses. To-morrow
we start again for the Wakasassee Swamp, to j
give them another chase, after which, if the
bullets permit, 1 will drop vou another line.
J. W. H. DAWSON,
Adjutant Ist Reg. Geo. Vol.
P. S.—l saw a letter from Gen. Jesup, to
Gen. Nclion, in which he says, that the whole
nation is decidedly hostile, and determined to
fight. The number of the enemy staled as
killed above, are only those found on the
ground. 1 have no doubt that many more
were killed, which we did not find, as we were
prevented by the nights coming on, almost be
fore the last and most serious atlair was ended.
J. W. 11. DAWSON.
Fort Fanning, January 10, 1838.
Dt-ar Sir, —I wrote you last from Fort
Clinch, that we would soon be on another
chase. As I expected, we were off next mor
ning, and proceeded to our old battle ground,
where we found the body of our brave com
rade who had fallen in the affair of the 26th,
had been taken up, and mangled in a most hor
rid manner, by the Indians. We took his re
mains, and interred them, where no savage
foe can again have them at his mercy, As it
was necessary to establish a post in that neigh
borhood, we built a fort, inside of which we
made his grave, and consigned him once more
to his mother earth. In honor to his memory,
we called it Fort Jennings—a fit name, and a
fit place, for a soldier to sleep that sleep which
knows no waking. I here may he rest, until
the last trump shall wake his long, long sleep,
and summon him to answer to his name, when
called from the great muster roll of the Chief
who commands the armies of the eternal world.
From the scarcity of provisions, we have
been compelled to fall back on Fort Fanning, .
! where there is plenty. The Brigade left this
morning, to go, if possible to the mouth of the
J Suwanee, and drive the Indians up into the
Wakasassee hammock. There were plenty
jof them there, when we left fort Jennings.—
| The object is to take them In the rear and
comeat their familcs. 1 shall Join them at the?
mouth, by the steamer Marion, which co-ope
-1 rates with its. Long before you hear from me
again, 1 have no doubt wc shall have had a
battle, as we know where the Indians are, and
I they cannot, 1 think escape ns. 'They arc al
so the fiercest tribe in the nation, numlering
something like four hundred warriors.
I Col. Taylor had a battle with the Indians,
commanded by Alliga*or, on tho 25th,in which
the whites lost twenty.six killed, and one hun
dred and eleven wounded. The
sered severely. Major 'Thompson and Lieut.
Brooks, of the regula—
Capt. Dawson handed this letter to fold and
send to you, as the boat was leaving, and bo
had not time to conclude it.
J. ROGERS.
From the Columbus Sentinel and Herald.
THE CHEROKEE INDIANS.
On the 28th of December, Mr. Poinsett
addressed a letter to Gov. Gilmer, in which
he stated that all hopes were at an end, for the
( present, of conciliating the Cherokee Delega
| tion, then at Washington City, and of prevail
j ing on them to give their aid and influence in
I quietly removing the nation of Cherokees.-
; The Governor is assured by the Secretary
at War, that the border settlers will at once
be protected by the Government; and that he
deems the interference ofS ate authorities, for
the military defence of that region of country,
quite unnecessary; he also iequests such per.
sons as are living on the frontier, not to desert
their farms V business, but to stay at home &
rest in security. With all due deference to
|he op'nions of the Secretary, (vc would move
die people to the protection of themselves, in
ill cases where there is the least probability
of molestation from the Indians. We were
eye-witnesses to enough, during the late ('reek
war, to convince our minds that Government
movements ate too tardy to suit the conven
ience and protection of the citizens when the
j savage is ou the qui vice; besides, every man
I fights best in defence of his own fireside and
home.
'l'ho Delegation held a correspondence with
Mr. Poinsett, in whi h they proposed to open
a negotiation wiih the United States Govern
ment, upon matters of common interest to both
parties, upon the ground, that the Treaty of
December, 1835, should not be considered
binding upon either party. Mr. Poinsett an
swered, that the President regarded the treaty
of December, 1835, as the law of the land, and
that therefore no negotiation could be opened
on the basis proposed, an 1 that the Cherokees
l would be expected to remove at the time stipu
led m that treaty. 'The reply of Mr. P. also
censures the Delegation for holding out false
hopes to their people.
It is quite evident, from the nature and spir.
it of this correspondence, that the Cherokees
will not be emigrated without much trouble,
A in all likelihood the scenes of the Creek war
memonry will be acted over again. 'The Sec
i rotary at War may, and doubtless will, take;
, prompt and energetic steps to guard our fron
ier, by ordering U. S. troops forthwith to the
spot; but independent of this, in expectancy,
the people in Georgia must look out for them
selves, and especially those who reside in the
Cherokee country.
The following order is in good time, and
all intents and purposes correct. We hope to
see it promptly met:
Head Quarters, ?
Milledgeville, January 20, 1838. $
The Commnnder-in.Chief has recicved a
call from Col. Lindsay, for a Company of In
fantry, to be stationed in Paulding county.—
Its organization will conform to the directions
contained in the order of the 12th inst. Vol
unteer companies arc again invited to enter
the service for the defence of the Cherokee
country. By order of the Commander.iu-
Chief. M. GRIE VE, Aid-dc-Camp.
But while we accord to Gov. Gilmer his
full share of credit for the promptitude with'
which he seems disposed to act in relation' to
theCherokee country, we cannot but look
back to the violent opposition, and the bitter
persecu’.ion arrayed against Gov. Schley, ii>'
view of a similar movement. Under the reign
of Gov. S. it was not only totally unnecessary
and uncalled for, but running lhe State to an
enormous expense, to station troops in the up*
country for the protection of its citizens and
the safety of their property; and besides, it was
a cunning move on the political chess-board,
and ought to be discountenanced in the game?
IVhat say you, “brother chips”—ye whose
pens were made to move with extra speed in
the warfaie against Schley for the posting a
military force in the Cherokee country? Where
the necesity now, greater than then? And if
the policy of the late administration had been