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J rum a Londun Paper.
MONTAGNEGRINES.
As much lias been said respecting this peo*
J*lc, and but little known, the lollowing account
ol them by a late traveller in that quarter, will
Le acceptable to our readers :
“ I mentioned the natives of Montagna ne
|ro as a parcel of banditti. Tiiey are in all
probability the aborigines of the country ; and
when Greece declined from her former great
ness, mouldered by degrees from the Roman
hands, and became a prey to the barbarous na
tions. These wretched remains of a celebra
ted people forsook their fertile plains and tel
lies, and took refuge amidst barren and almost
inaccessible mountains. They preserved, in
deed, their liberty by this desperate step; hut
lost what is perhaps of more consequence to
the happiness ol mankind—the manners, the
morals, the laws which form and preserve un
broken the bonds of society. The Montagne
jpines have returned to the state of nature, and
in a few ages have undone a system which
lhcrr forefathers could not accomplish during
the revolution of a thousand years. There is
a wide difference between them and the sava
ges of the new world, but the balance is in fa
vor of the savage. lie has \ irtucj mixed with
the vices of an unlettered mind, and virtues of
a quality that often serves as a veil for his
crimes. Hut the Montagnegrines, after hav
ing gradually forfeited the principles of honor,
and the sentiments of humanity, retained anti
nursed every dark and unbridled passion that
reduced men to the level of brutes. This fc
ro< ions tribe acknowledge no masters ; and be
ing equally out of reach of the Venetians anti
Turks, serve as an impenetiuble barrier to
tfiosc nations in this quarter. Ily the most ac
curate accounts I could obtain, they can bring
fourteen thousand fighting mtn into the field ;
which is the only mode by which their actual
numbers can he guessed. Supposing thateve
ry male capable of bearing arms is ranked as
a soldier, and this is no unreasonable conclu
sion among a barbarous race ; we may reckon
the women and children at triple the number.
“ This calculation will bring the Montagnc
grincs to fifty thousand souls and upwards,
who subsist on the footing of primeval inde
pendence, and own no law but the sword. Like
the Americans and Arabs, they elect a chief,
to whom they pay obe ‘ience in public matters;
but reserve to themselves the right of execu
tion in private concerns. The murderer’s
Jife is not only answerable for that he lias taken
away, but should he escape, the life of one of
iiis family is the forfeit; a piece of justice that
neatly corresponds with the accounts that I
have had occasion to give of the Arabs. With
the Montagnegrines, however, the thirst of re
venge seems far more bloody and unquencha
ble. Should the deceased leave a son at his
mother's breast, the satisfaction required is but
deferred for a while. The disconsolate widow
preserves the bloody shirt in which her bus
band was assasnmated, as a memorial of the
dead. With the sight of this she kindles and
keeps alive, the implacable flame in her off
spring's breast, which breaks out when he ar
rives at an early manhood, into an act of savage
retribution. She exhorts him in the manner
of the Spartan matrons, when they nobly sent
llicir sons against the public enemy—
“ Return victorious ; a)’ return no more !’
“ Like a famished parti, the young enthusiast
Issues from his den ; and the blood of a devo
ted and unsuspecting victim gluts his revenge.
What a dreadful atonement. llow contrary
to the dictates of reason and humanity ; and
yet according to the records of nations and our
own experience not repugnant to human na
ture. 1 feel myself mortified at being supris
ed out of a reflection that does no honor to our
dispositions ; and shews in the clearest light
the. virtue of education, and the beauty of phi-
Josophv !
“ Though the Venetian Republic holds not
these people in subjection, she derives every
Advantage from their vicinity which the cultiva
tion of arts affords a political state. She rebuilt
the forttVss of Cataro on a steep and barren
rock, as a bridle on their and ungovernable
tempers, Behind this rock is the only passage
lip to the mountains ; audit is not to be sup
posed that the Montagncgrincs presume to
make inclusions into the Venetian territories,
when their retreat would be infaliably cut off
l>v the commanding situation of the castle bat
tery. lienee the inhabitants of the valley li\e
secure; end those of the mountains are con
strained to bring down the produce of their
region to barter for what ncccsssai ies they may
eund in need of. Reef, mutton, poultry, game
egg and garden stuff, are exchanged by them
for linens, woollens, beads, gun-powder See-
All their meat is excellent in its kind, and very
cheap. Sundays is their market day, when the
road is seen crowded with men and women,
vho arc loaded with eatables, or drive down
their cattle for sale. The women only are al
lowed to enter the gate which opens to the
pass. While these are bartering their wares in
thb city, the men assemble without the w 11s,
to divert themsclvc in drinking or smoking,
coursing round the plain, wrestling or hurling
the quoit, as inclination leads them. There
were two field pieces, loaded with grape, on
the draw-bridge, that were pointed at this tu
tuuhious assembly, which as I contemplated
from the walls, recalled to my memory the
idea of the infernal group of fallen spirits,
whom Milton so dreadfully describes ill their
pastimes —
“ Tart on the plain, or in the air sublime,
“ Upon the wing, or in fvvift race contend—
•’ Other*, with vast Typhoean rage more fell,
> Rend up both rock* and hills—
■ mm Hell fence can hold th wild aprc.tr.”
“ Amid one of those assemblies, fny felloe
travellers and I were tempted to venture our
selves, accompanied by a \ cnetian officer,
count Zarawich, who is a native of Cataro, and
has an estate bordering on the mountain. We
were under the-fort; but, without such a con
ductor, it would have been held imprudent here
even for strangers to hare entrusted themselves
in such hands, as no \ cncuan in a public
character chooses to sleep out of the fort, cr
expose himself to the enmity of these moun
taineers.
“On our passage to the draw-bridge we
were presently surrounded by a crowd, who
observed by our mustaches and habits, that vve
wcie foreigners. When they understood that
wc were English, their satisfaction increased;
and one or two of those who spoke Italian, told
us that they had gone to England during the
last war in a Venetian Irigate, where they serv
ed as mariners. Their mein, their dress, their
arms, and their manners, were the
same ; and I could not condemn the caution of
the state, which suffers not men with such
arms, and such inclination, to enter their walls;
and yet we had so little apprehensions of dan
ger from them, that we should have eagerly
follo wed the suggestions of curiosityi and clo
sed with their proposals of visiting their coun
try for a few days, had our situation admitted
of it—But the difference was wide between the
\ rnelians and us; wc had never offended
them, nor were wc the object of their jealous
ies or apprehensions : and had wc travelled in
their domain divested of money or finery, to
tempt injustice, there would have been no
chance of meeting it, unprovoked, eitlier in
the dcsarls of Arabia, or the mountains of
Greece !
“ On our return to the fort, we met the fe
males of this tribe, who either from the hard la
bour, which, from their subserviency to their
husbands, fails all their share, or from other
causes, arc uncommonly iiidcous and disagree
able. Their lot, indeed, appears a hard one.
Even gallantry, with respect to the sex in oth
er places, is completely reversed here ; the
wile salutes her husband by kissing his hand ;
ol this I was an eye witness.
“ Wc heard several anecdotes, that mark
the genius of this extraordinary people ; but
the account of one, which was related at the
governor’s table, will serve as a specimen of
the rest. The present chief of the Montag
negrines, having lately heard that his sister
was engaged in an intrigue during her hus
band’s absence, hesitated not a moment on the
part he was to take. lie went direct to the
house of the unfortunate culprit; and without
betraying the least sign of remorse, alter as
suring himself of the fact, severed her head
from her body with one stroke of his sword,
flic sentence, it is true, for such a tresspass,
was only anticipated ; as the unrelenting hus
band would have exacted her head at his re
turn ; but the cool, though cruel behavior of
this chief, who, though unstimulated bv jeal
ousy, and actuated by no other motives than
the honour of his family, and the right of so
ciety, could perpetrate sucii a deed, fill the
mind with a mixture of hoi lor and admiration.
Wc were shewn more than one of Ids tribe,
who was known to have killed a dozen men
with bis own hand ; but as their lives were
supposed to have been forfeited by offences, or
taken in fair sight, it did not derogate from the
character of the warrior.”
COPY OF A LETTER,
]\~'ittni during the late Rebellion in Ireland, by
•Sir an Irish member of Parliament,
to his friend in London.
“ My Dear Sir,
“ Having now a little peace and quietness, I
sit down to inform you of the dreadful bustle
and confusion we are in, from these blood
thirsty rebels ; most oi whom, are however,
thank God, killed and dispersed.
“ We are in a pretty mess ; can get nothing
to eat, not any wine to drink except whiskey ;
anil when we sit down to dinner, we arc oblig
ed to keep both hands armed—whilst 1 write
this letter 1 hold a sword in one hand and a
pistol in the other. 1 concluded from the be
ginning that this would be the end of it, and I
see I was right, for it is not half over yet. At
present there are such goings on, that every
thing is ac a stand. 1 should have answered
your letter a foitnight ago, but I only received
it this morning. Indeed, hardly a mail arrives
safe without being robb’d ; no longer than yes
terday the coach, with the mail from Dublin,
was robb’d near this town ; the bags had been
judiciously left behind, for fear of accidents,
and, hv good luck, there was nobody in it but
tvvo outside passengers, who had nothing for
the thieves to take. Last Thursday notice
was given that a gang of rebels were advancing
hither under the French standard ; immedi
ately every man in the place, including women
and boys, run out to meet them. We soon
found our iorcc much too little, and they were
far too near for us to think of retreating. Death
was in every face—but too it we went, and by
the time our little party was killed, we began to
be all alive. Fortunately the rebels had no
guns but pistols, cutlasses, and pikes : and, as
we bad plenty oi muskets and ammunition, we
put them all to the sword. Not a soul of them
escaped, except some that were drowned in an
adjacent Irog ; and, in a very short time, there
was nothing to be heard but silence. Their
uniforms were all of different colors, but most
ly green. After the action we went to rum
mage a son of camp they had left behind them ;
all we found was a few pikes without heads, a
parcel of empty bottles full of water, and a
bundle of blank French commissions filled up
with Irishmen’s names. Troops are now sta
tioned every where, around the country, which
exactly squares with my ideas-.
I have only leasufe to add, that 1 ash, in
great haste, yours truly, J. T.
“P. S. If you don’t receive this in course
it must have miscarried ; therefore I beg you
will immediately write to let me know.
—
Pram a A ‘civ- (Jrleaiu Paper, J larch 20.
ADDRESSES.
The following are copies of the Addresses (with
their answer.*J •which were presented an the
2 id inst. to general Wilkinson and governor
C laiborne. Signed by many of the moat vital*
thy and resfiec table inhabitant a of this city.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
G EXE UAL JAMES ll lI.KIXSOX.
Sih—The recent arrest of Aaron Burr, has
wc hope, dissipated the dangers which have
menaced the peace and safety of this city.—
\V ; therefore beg leave to congratulate yon on
the discomfiture of the wicked plot, and to pre
sent you our acknowledgements for the protec
tion you have afforded us. Spectators of the
dis cultics and cnibarrasment, by which vve
have seen yon encompassed, we believe that a
knowledge of facts and circumstances, as they
have really occurred, will satisfy every unpre
judiced person that the decisive steps to which
you resorted, in a critical moment, were not
only justifiable, by the extremity of the case,
but were essential to our preservation.
We arc not surprised at the alarm, nor c!o
we condemn the sensibilities which were ex
cited by the extraordinary measures, which a
sense of public danger compelled you to adopt,
because the rights and liberties of an American
citizen cannot be too sedulously guarded : but
we arc persuaded, that in the instance which
has given origin to this address, your conduct
has been loyal, dutiful and patriotic. And that
when your motives are made manifest by a fair
developement of the transactions which have
engaged your attention in this city ; the impar
tial and enlightened part of the world, will con
cur with us in acknowledging your merits and
services.
Wc lament the domestic afflictions which
press upon you ; and beg you to accept our best
wishes for your future fame, prosperity and
happiness.
ANSWER.
Xew-Ohi.ea};. s, March 23, 1807.
Gentlemen,
I beg you to accept rny grateful acknowledg
ments, for this very friendly and honorable tes
timony of your approbation.
Caiied by imperious circumstances, to offer
myseit a victim to the service of rny country,
if jn my zealous exertions to avert a national
calamity, I have been compelled to anticipate
the tardy process of the law, or intrench on
those sacred institutions, to which freemen
cling us the rock of the ir salvation; I hope I
sltuli be acquitted by the candid, of all sinister
motives, and that it will be believed I am ready
to embrace the severest penalties which justice
may exact or policy can demand ; even to the
uevotion ol that life which 1 had staked on the
issue.
And should the measures which the exigen
cies of the moment imposed on me, have vio
lated the feelings of an innocent citizen, it
would gratify my pride to acknowledge the
wrong, and to make him every reparation
which a man of honor can ask from his fellow.
The approval of my conduct by those who
were the spectators of it, by a body of gentle
men, who comprise the wealth, weight and in
fluence oi this city ; nextjto the applause of my
own breast, and the justification of that high
authority, to which I am immediately respon
sible, will rccompenec me lor the past and con
sole me for the future. Your sympathies for
my domestic misfortune, alleviate my sorrows
and excite the liveliest emotions of gratitude.
May your happiness and prosperity be uninter
rupted, and long very long may it be before
you are taught by a similar affliction, how to
estimate the sufferings I have experienced.
JAMES WILINSON.
To JuLIF.N P OTt)RAS,j
Benjamin Morgan, VEsquires.
And Joseph Saul, J
For themselves and associates.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
a 0 VERXOR CLAIBORXE.
Sir—The undersigned citizens of the terri
tory of Orleans, offer you their congi atulations
on the arrest of Aaron Burr, and the sup
pression of a conspiracy, which had for its ob
ject the dismemberment of the union ; and the
subversion of our government and laws ; which
it is no less our duty, than our disposition to
support, and a unison so essential to the safety
and happiness of the inhabitants of this territo
ry', as well as that of the American people in
general.
In contemplating the scenes of injustice and
rapine, which would have marked the succes
ses of the conspirators, we cannot but highly
estimate the services of those who have been
instrumental in counteracting their wicked
views. During the late interesting crisis we
have observed with pleasure and approbation
the conduct of your excellency. It evinced an
integrity of character—a sincere love of coun
try, and the result has clearly shewn the poli
cy you pursued, was well calculated to stifle
the flame of civil discord, and to defeat the
machinations of base and designing men.
We beg you then, Sir, to receive this testi
mony of our esteem, and with our best wishes
for your future prosperity and happiness.
AKSV.THi.
To ‘tester. Jl’Af.s Pordr as, Eesy.
and Joseph Save.
Receive gentlemen lor yourselves, and be
so obliging af to convey to such ot my lcllow
citizens as 1-vc signed tbe friendly address*
which you tlis day presented me, the assur
ances of my warmest acknowledgments.
“ The suppression of a conspiracy which had
for its object the dismemberment oi the union,
aid the subversion of our government and
laws,” is an event of mutual felicitation, and
cannot fail to afford the highest satisfaction to
every virtuous citizen. A government lour.d
<d on principles of equal right, and laws bear-’
ig alike on ail, is indeed entitled to your sup
pirt ; and the American who would not devote
lis life to the preservation of that union which
nakes us one people, must be cither insensi
ije or inimical to the safety, the happiness, and
prosperity of his country.
The injustice and rapine which would
Hive marked the successes of the conspirators,”
voulcl have fallen with the greatest severity on
the good inhabitants of this territory ; ‘and
‘acrefore it is, that, as a member of this soci
ety, I am the more gvatelul to the agents ot
the general and state governments, who have
most contributed to defeat the machinations of
these base and designing men. “ During the
late interesting crisis,” the services of others
have been more distinguished than my own——
I feel however, that, in my situation I have
done all I could do for the welfare of my coun
try ; and while an approving conscience will
ensure me that serenity of mind, which through
life I have sought, the approbation of so res
pectable a portion of my fellow citizens, will
render me more emulous to deserve a conti
nuance of their esteem and good wishes. v
\VM. C. C. CLAIBORNEt
Xew-Orlrans, March 23, 1807.
From the Baltimore American.
Copy of a letter from a gentleman in Xew-Orlranti
to his friend in Baltimore , dated March 12
1807.
“My deer Sir. —lt lias been contended on
the floor of congress, by those who are ever
ready to speak of what they do not understand,
that the current of justice here was undisturb
ed, and that general Wilkinson’s usurpations
in seizing and sending to the United States the
known associates of Burr, was not only unwar
rantable, hut iinncccsary.—And yet vve have
seen James Workman and Lewis Kerr acquit,
ted here, with triumph, althourgh it was prov
ed by two witnesses, they had attempted to
corrupt the army, and proposed seizing on the
banks and shipping. Alas! what is to be
come of us, whilst private views and personal
resentments continue tp influence our national
councils. This city has, at several moments
been cn the verge of civil war; and if general
Wilkinson had omitted the decisive steps
which he adopted, the calamity vvculd have
been unavoidable, and a scene of carnage* and
horror would have issued And by whom was
suchdresdful commotions advocated ? Bv re
publicans, by the friends of equal rights and
liberty? No, sir; by advocates of revolution
and of anarchy, and despotism ; by those who
have expressed the opinion, “ that popular in<
fi uence should be employed to introduce despotism, *
the clamorcrs for a strong armed, energetic
government, and the scandalous vilniers of
our present systems and present administra
tion. And what was this for ? The more ef
fectually to secure Burr’s possession of this
city, where, if he had erected his standard,
his force would have increased with rapidity,
and furnished him with every means of defence
and probably maintained his hold until some
European power might have taken him bv the
hand and wrested from us the wealth and com
mcrce ot the Mississippi. When gen. Adair
popt into the city, whither it has been proven,
he was sent by Burr in Nashville, the exult a*
tion of the revolutionalists was loud and public;
for he ied them to believe Burr was at hand*
Judge Provost, accosting lieutenant Shaw in the
street, exclaimed with passion, “well sir,l give
you joy, general Adair has arrived; he dines
at madame Forages, and is much at the sen ice
of general Wilkinson, and to-morrow or next
day vve expect colonel Burr.” Proof has been
given, that general Adair said to a confident
alter his arrest, that “if Y\ ilkinson had given
him twenty-four hours in Jvew-Orleaas, he*
could not have made him prisoner, as he., A*
dair, had more friends than he, Wilkinson
yet the envenomed tongue, directed by the
malignant heart of a dcclaimcr, has labored to
derogate from the services and to stigmatize
the conduct of the man, who, by the ex
ercise of a dread responsibility has saved
this place from utter ruin, Shame on sucij
conduct,”
PETERSBURG!!, April u.
A letter from the American Consul at St
Jago, dated March 6, 1807, incloses a list cf
Americans taken in Miranda’s expedition .
This list has been published in the Philadel
phia papers, and is stated to be obtained from
the most correct source. The prisoners an?
thirty in number, eleven of whom were hanged
and beheaded on the 21st July, 1806.
The American consul, in his letter, states,
the situation oi those who are in confinement
at Carthagena, to be truly deplorable, and adds,
h may be, pci haps a consolation to their
friends, to hear of those who yet remain in ex
istence, thro’ a miserable end indeed. Ido
not understand that they are treated with other
severity, than what their sentence demands,
and a great part of their misery arises as I can--
ceive more from the want of a trifling sum of’
money to alleviate their necessities, than from
any wanton acts of cruelty in the Spanish go*
verament.” **