About Savannah daily republican. (Savannah, Ga.) 1818-1824 | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1819)
''SAVANNAH HEPDlHdCAN MLKDEHICK S. FELL, cirr num. Jjaily paper s>J-~country £6, per annum,' TAf ABLE P ‘ASVAXCL. W 'W TfTTff ..... „ t „ v . _ ... J* oat,It will tw'riweniftrj to >ci vriih vi-Trcnveysnee. It Tjppeara/reiy cxfaaordi- helnToraea me that, in attwptias torpass gor and judgement; and von will refraiK j nary. ami remains for' the British guverh- within gan .shot of the'furtiRcation*, b«* from any act ot hostility against a Spanish ] .nont to explain the authorityfor their flag had been fired upon by the negroe,, and force, or violation of tneir rights arid lavra, j baing thus ii-vtsted by a band of outlaws, as tliat he had also been fired upon for the i’uu ivii* make no delay in your departure I also thsir uScer, colonel Nichols, having last four or five days, whenever any ofhis froni Pass Christian, after the arrival there"] placed *o strong a'tvoidc, .and 'with so large of No. 154, and the Iran*ports Very re.-1 a supply of trios, .(most of which were per rfrVAII .’VV.-.'f ar<d new Adtrrtivemrntv appear in botii papers—and atopt by trtlrr onl, .£J) raox'^pa s arrow ax.-;irrr.Lt.iotJ<cr*. 2in i*.-t THE JftCHO TORT J* EAST FJ.OHlL.i ^e destruction of the Negro Fort in Florida, in July, 1615, liy the force. \ aif the United states, has made aennsiriera- ■ 4»le hgare in the public documents which sveje laid tiefore CongrCVs, I'rOM time to ’'time, during the late session, and aie in I-possession of tne public. The ciroutn- srairrta of (he-transaction, as fur as in our fyhrMstfainm are uow-piesented. Of the occurrence referred to, when it *%oi,k place, the official accounts were not ^piubhlherf, and private letters afforded us but few particulars. A call was blade up ■ ‘ *>n the tiaey tfepirrtmliit on ttie -fiSth Janua ry last., iiy a resolution nt the house of rep- VeseriUtives, forthe information in tha department relative to this subject; in cbe- •diertcO tif which 'sundry documrnts were '-transmitted,uvhtch we have hot had room' heretofore to notice. No call appears to /•have betn madeboon the war department for similar irffcrlr.ntinn, so that wiut is b /ore the public relates only to the part th . 'Tavtl ioi ceburt irsthat allair. It is there '/ore, proper to add. as a key to some pa: * r-rges of the -follewing letters, thata*pretty large detachment «f the army, under toe -command of lieutenant colonel Clinch, in- 'Tested the fort by lend, at the time ul the bombardment by thd naval force, and by its presence essentially cuntribirtcd'tu the Ve-luction'ortSelurt. -4o order toydvc a connected view v tins transaction, wi-shtfil present the doc 'inents in an older somewhat different . from thVt in'wlticb they weeepiven to con •areas, beginning with general ‘Gaines’i letter, which, explains-the object of th* tomliiutd military ifnd naval operation on Hi'* Appalachicofa; then give the result! ol toftse 1 operations; and, lastly, the com meat thereon, afforded by the letter from pectfaKfi etc, D Td Patters oh. SwUii^aiasttr JaHu* Loomifla Con.rrundg V. S. G. U No. 149. fectly new,audio their cases,) ammunition, and every other -implement requisite to. enable -the negroes and Indians to prose-, „ , _ .. I cute. ffcnsivetperatioos aguilrtt the Unit From commodore Patterson to lieutenant . Lj States; in possession of negro. *, too, Crowley. New. Or leans, June 19-.t, 1816. known to he runaways from the United States, and that, too, sc me time after Sir—'The enclosed copy of a letter from 4 peace'had taken place. .major general Gaines, commanding the I United State* militery forces in the Creek J nation, fully informs you of his situation, nd his expectation of immediate com- Herewith-is transmitted a copy, of the inventory of toe article* saved fiiim the- explosion,designating those fiunn.ht-d Un- army for-pubhc use, and those brought off mencemeut of hostilities on the part oi l and deposited here, those Indians. In consequence ol the in-j J regret rxiaeedingly the loss’of Mr. Tuff, formation contained in th.it letter, I hav, I oorough, titled in this service; who,though promised the convoy therein requested— I much i:nlisp'>sed and having sent in hi •Vou will, therefore, take under your com-J resignation to the department, -very hand maud gun boat No. 149,and, with that let-1 somely volunteered his services, and a- ter for guide, convoy the transports with j coinpauied the expedition. Mr. Loomis ordnance, proviso! its, etc. up (he river Ap-[ reports his couduct in the highest terms ul "i'opy of a letter from general ■Gaines to commodore Patterson. ''FertMonigemery, May 22, *816. Sin—By a fetter which'I have leceived fro n lieutenant colonel Clinch, command ing a battalion ofthe 4th infantry on the U’.aiU louenie, 1 learn, that in the early pait ofthe month, a party of Indians sur prised nnd touX from the immediate vicini "fv of his camp two private* sent out ;• glarif a drove of beef .cattle, purchased for the subsistence of the troops. The cattle •amounting to 30 head, were also taken: the "Ii . liuti* were pursued 45 miles, dr, a path leading to hi, Marks; but being mounted, •and having travelled all night, escapeil ■ w:in then-prisoners and booty. Pus outrage, precediwj by the minder of *twnof ourritizens, Johnson, and M-Oasky, by Indians below the tines, and followed ‘by certain indication^* of general hostility, •vnch .1* the war-dance, and drinking ol War physic, leaves no doubt-that w> shuil be compelled to destroy the hostile ‘tOWIK. I !ir detached situation nf the-post which •1 n ivc ordered lieutenant colonel Clinch to “*t.tbiisli neai the Appalachicola, will ’expose us to great inconvenienceetul haz e.rd, in obtaining (upplieaby land,particu larly i n the event of war, as'the road will Tj'btd, and the distance from the settle- tn otof Georgia nearune hundred and fifty •tnil-s. *. Having advised v;ith the commander in -chief of the division, upon this subject, I have determined upon an experiment by water; and, for this purpose, hive to re quest your co-operation. Should you feel authorized to detach a small gun vessel or two as a convoy to the boats charged with our supplies up the Appalachicola, I am -persuaded that, in doing so, y„a kill con ’tribute much to the benefit of the service, .n l the accommodation uf my immediate - > ii.oend in this quarter. The transports \i II be under the direction of tr.e officer nt 'the t'Uf. vessels, and the whole should be provided against an attack by small arms t, om shore. To.guard against accident*. I will direct lieutenant colonel Clinch to; hive in readiness a boat sufficient to carry ii.'iy men, to meet the vessels on the river, and assist them up. •Should you fi.nl ft to be convenient to -M ud x convoy, 1 will thank you to inform m- >f the date of its departure, and the •t!o>.( which, in your judgement, it will take palachicoU and ClfaUahouchie, to such point or .points as may be requiwd, ifl practicable; should you meet with oppo- •itiou'froui the Negro Fort, situated as tated in the letter, 'on the former river, the military officer commanding will have order* to destroy it: in which you 'will co. operate. The plan of attack tube concer- approbation. i avail myself of this occasion, with great satisfaction, to recommend to tin particular notice of the department,, sail tug master- JairusLoomis and.James Be: sett, commanding the gun vessels on thi- expedlllo"., ashighlv meritorious officer- "1 cannot hut lament exceedingly th. led bettveen yourself and linn; toe trails-j great loss tif iires occasioned by the d ports will be under jour direction entire ly. In the event of hostilities between the United States, you Will, il praclicadle, at'.' lord any uul withy *ur vessels in your'pow er t ithe army. ' U< nfbin in that river and co-operate with them until it snail be nt- ocssary to return here for provisions; out, if you cannot ,>id them in their opi r- atuns,you iviP then return tmineiliately.j States. tmetion ol the fort; though caused by their’ opposition t» a.passage of the river, anil, hostilities’ most w ickedly commenced up on a friendly flag, uuuer which not th< slightest aggression would have been offei-. ed them. The course pursued in this sCi vice, and the result, will, I trust, meet the ppriibatiui of the .President of the United bringing with you the transports. The transports (Will rendezvous at the Pa-s Chcistain, and consist ol tbe-fuilouing ves- sels: «chr- Seminlaule, laden with ord nance, and general Pike, laden with pro- 1 visions. By late information, the Negrb Fori mounts only six pieces of cannon, with about one hundred men in and about it;’ looting cum; and 1 ’apprehend no oppo I have th. .honor to he, Daniel T. Pattersok. Hor.orcblB Srerelarj ./die Nary. Bey Si. E-mi* 1M Anffuet, 1816, U S dun Vessel JVo. 149 Sir; In conformity’.will, your orders of the 24tl> Jane, I Imve the honor to report, that, with this ves-ei arid No. 154, saliHg- master James Iki-sct't; i took under con voy the-amotmei s General Pike ami Sem sition-fium them whatever, in the event nfc'| elante, lodcnWith provisions and miSitarv •Vnur rrmsininy u. aet with the ariiiy, you J stores, and proceeded for Appalachicola wnl communicate with me by mail; tfiruughj •'■very off the utouth of which we arrived general Gaines. -Should the uoat mention I on the 10th July. At tins place 1 received ed.in general Games’* letter not meet you’) despatches from lieut. col. Clinch, con. trior to your arrival at or near tile Negro Port, anti you have cause to expect oppo sition, y»u will wait her arrival tiefore y< attempt to pass it. Very respectfully, 6,c Daniel T. Paxtesson. Lieut. Commd’t Charles 0. Growl tv, U. S. Cutler Fox. From Commodore Patterson to the Beere tary of the J\'avy Nen-Orleani, August 15t’i. 1816 Sir: It ie with great satisfaction 1 do my'- self the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the report of operations ot two gun ve»; els under the cuin.iiaud of saiim .■landing the 4th regiment U. S. infantry, •>•1 the Cha'ahoocfue river, borne by mi ln- d an, requesting me to remainnffitlie mouth . I tne river until lie could arrive with a' party of men to S-sist -in getting up the: li'JiisjsorU—ilesi. i.rg me also to detain all vessels and KaN mat .night attempt to d. - -cenii the rivet. On the 15tu I discovered a'bii&t pulling out of the river; aod, being anxious tu as certain wlittber we slo uid oe permitted peaceably to pa»- th fo-. uUuvc us, 1 dis patched aibo.it witii'a i officer tn gaiu the iccUAs iry infoi m hiuii; on hearing her. -els under the cuin.iiaud ot sailing master -| le fired a-.-voUey of musketry into my Jairus Loomis, despatched at the requst of I boat, and immediately nulled in lor the n- major general Gaines, coin.namfmg the.,ler;I imaiHd,at% ml a (ire dnthem United states army in the'Creek natlui.J trum the gua vessels, fiut vviih nu effuct. On the 17th, 5 A. A1 T n.aimed arid limed a boat wiili a swivel aiVd musketry % and lour men,and gave her in ciiarge nl idshipmari Luffbnrnugh* lor the purpose ol procuring fresh water, having r u short of that artiile. At II A. M sml.ng mas- it-r Bassett, who had n eu mi a similar . X- 1 p. d.tioii, came alongside, with the body’ nl John UllVgess, G. S who >.kd been s ni 1 in the boat with iiinlsliipiii .u Luifburuug.; nis body was found near the month .j‘ to. river, Shut through the It.-a-t; at 4 P. >!.' discovered a man at the mouth ol t.o er, on a sand ba>,; sent a boat and tin mm on board; he proved to bo Jbbo L O. Si. the ooly sui vivor ol the no lo convoy two . transports, lailen wUn or dnance stores, and provision, op the rivei. \ppalachicola and Cliattaliauciue, to Foit Crawford, for the use of the army.; also copies ot the major general’s letter'to'me. and of my instructions to Mr. Looiui You will perceive by Mr. Loumis’sfotc- ment that the Unprovoked and wanton aggression coniinitted by a party of ne groes on.his boats, as also their hostile dis position and.conduct lb the army and th, gun vessels, on their approaching the fort, evincing in the strongest manner their in tention to dispnte his.passage past then fort, rendered it necessary to silence their fire, and capture their tort. The veiy abie manner and uho. t time in wiuch this.1 se „t will, midshipman Luifo»ro,.-i, was so effectually accomplished, with u;U rU that, on enter..; g the river, they lorce so very infer,or, reflects the greatest! Cliv „ ei , a 1)e(fro „„ „f e Ueall „’ ea , / credit upon Mr. Loomis and the .officers ! tation that Mr Loftborosgh ui.lered n and men under Ins command; the uinl.,1 host to be rmi.ed Uwavtfa for mm; tout , shot, and the first hot one, producing the] touching the tJ.o.c u- „'„i.. and directly receiv- d a vol.ey of musket Iriini two divisions ol negroes and India xplosion, and, unless the fort had surreiT feted or been destroyed, it would have] been impossible for the army to have re-j W j, 0 lay concealed in the Ju-nes oiT b ived those supplies of which they stood-] margin of the river: >Jr. Lull borough much tc need, and, without which, then ] Robert Maitland, and J. Bmve.s, were kil aperatmns against the hostile Indians must’] led on the spot; L.q az m..ifehih escape bj necessarily have been materially retarded;] swimming, and sut to arrive te the mouth ol the river Appa Ischieola. K-i :lo»ed you will Teceive the best ac •rv ;n' 1 can give you, from the information •A .lave received, of the N*gro Fort upon •the Appalachicola. Should we e,eet with Opposition from that fort, it shall be de •A'-'-y.- »; and, for this purpose, the •nminand- 'T-ig fficer sb.rve wdi be ordered tu prepaie all on disposable force to meet the boats ai 0 | jst below the foil, and he will confer w. . me commanding officer of the gun Vessels upon the plan of attack. I am, ^'c. Sovi'sni P. Gaines, tien. by-brevet. ” na. Daniel T P.ittersnu, D. S nnv), ouinuisiMtj. NcA-Onesni ratio*. . A’ewOt teaks, Jmt 19.J, lgl6. 1—^The enclosed despatch lor lieu- >n»m '.ndaut Crowley is trau-inittrd .' r to you, lestbe might not airtve - ir.-.oin by the tufle the tisns- it* o dn ince. piuvisiou, etc. ' .'c .... y >« Verbally, when here, ■ >>-• and se ready to proceed to a i-.-'-'t »•! si,-situation^ in which case, •v..: . ios'dcr them as addretsrd to .> ;■ ? aud «ct acowdingly; in that event you •Jdi faKi uadet jrnarcommand gunboat No. 'tdi; toceth-r with the transport*, aud'pro- S-rd '■;cc ;:iun of those instructions, fu -ttcpaiusauace «f.titc(iulie> titrein poia- if not totally suspended. And il was fron. the very gieat importance, as detailed by eneral Uainrx, that those stores and pro i-ions should reach the army in safety that l feft it a duty incumbent on mo, when thus called on, to afford the requisite'] with five Indians’, despatches from col iL’cfus: escape by that be saw the old-' or seaman, Kdward D .niels, made priso ner. Lopaz supp-iscd toere must nave: been fiuly negroes and LudianSicoucerned. in the capture of the boat. On ths 20lh July I received, by a canoi Ouvoy fur their protection l’lie service rendered by tin’ destruction of this fort, and the band of uegiocs who held it, and trie country in its vicinity Glinch, advising mat tie arrived with party ol lro< ps ami Indians, ala p.istti^t ibout a mile above the Negro Foil—re. |uenting that I wouuf asrti.d me liver and ot great and manifest importance to thi Ij.iitj him vvith llie gun ve»»el»: he f’urthe United Sutes.aud particula. ly those states Informed me that he had taken a i-etr. ootdering on the Creek nation; as it had/bearing the icalp of uveof my unfortuuai become trie general rendezvous of rune-] crew tu one of trie unlrieiidiy India, way slaves and disaffected Indians, an «*v- } c iefs. 4)o the A2d there was a heavy can turn where they were *»sured of being re-j nunading in the direction of tlie fort; OI , ceived: a strong hold, where thy -founu ] this >23d 1 receneu a verbal message Iron, arm* and an.un.tion to protect themselves]colonel Clinch, by a white man J?nd two .gainst tlitir owners and the government This bold being destroyed, they have no longer a pfoce to fly 11, and will not be so! liable to abscond. The able manner .n winch thiv enterprise was conducted can-land ciookeit Indians, wi,o stated that colonel Clinch wished me to attend the river to a certain bluff, and await there until I saw huu — Considering tiial by so doing in a Harrow not but impress the hostile Inmans also with a dread of our arms, and increase the J co-ifiiieuce of those who are friendly; add tu winch, that the force of tne negroes w, liver, front both sides of iany increasing, aud they fetl tiieuiseives.! ue on foot from the nature of tlie which my decks could tie commanded and exposed to the fire ofuiusketry, without ena bling me.toact in my own defence, and also that Something like treachery might o strong and secure, that they nad com- nenced several plantatnblS on the fertill banks of tha Appafacbicufa, which would isve yielded them every article of susten ance, and which would consequently, in u' .hurt time, have rendered their establish ment quite foiinidable, and highly injuri ous to the neighboring states. — »omi VIV viuvuiv Vi cut lUC99flgr, l declined acting, retained the white mat aud one of the Indians as hostages, and despatched the othtr, with my reason for so doing, to colonel Clutch; that his view- arid communications to inc,iu future, must oe made in writing, and by an officer ul the army. L'tuichuil V\ tlson add thir teen ufen-joined me on tne S4th, to assist lbe English anion jack, and red or j m getting up wrtfi ehoi -tcansport*; tie tiki-. blucdy flags, under which they cmnuittteif w ise informed ms that col. Clutch had eeol their unprovoked hostilities agaiust the j the canoe the day before. American flag, are in my possession; arid j On the£5th. I arrived-with the convoy l shall have tlie satisfaction of ra-waidiii^ • n. Duelling UiutT, about four mile* below Ktera tb the department by the fiy-t safa JtW-Artj where l ms met by col. Clinch: troops appeared in view; we immediately reconooitered tJie fort, and determined on a site to erect a small battery of two eigh teen pounders, to assist the gun vessels to force the navigation of the river, us it was evident, from their hostility, we should be ob'itjed to du. On the 26lli, the colonel began to clea away tlie bruch-wood lor the ereotion of a battery; lie, hpwevet, stated to roe, that he was uot acquainted with aitillery, but that he thought the distance w as loo great to do execution; on tins subject we unfoi tunately differed tota'ly in opinion, as we were within point blank ranxe; he, howev er, ordered bis men to desist Ire in further operations. I then told him that tlie guu vesjels.would attempt the passage of the fort in the in-ruing, without liisaid At 4 a M. on the morning of the 2/th, we began warping the gun v.-ssels to a prop position; at 5, getting within gun-shot, the fuit opened upon us; which a»e returned; and, after ascertaining our -real ilistan with cold shot, we commenced with l>ot, (having cleared away our coppers lor that i-urposc) the first one of which enter ing their magazine, blew up, and complete ly destroyed the fo t. The negrues fought under the English Jack, accompanied with the red or.bloody flag. This was a regu larly consu.ui.-ted foi'tifuatioH, Luilt under (he immediate eye amt direction of col Nichols of the British anny; there was m.iuu'.ed on the walls, and m a complete fate of equipment for service, four Ion: 24 pounders cannon, four long 6 ditto, ons ; d pounder field piece, and a 5j inch brass howitzer, with 3000 n.grors, men, women and child r eu, and about -20 li.- dan warriors of the renegade Ch»c- taw e ; of these £70 were killed, and the greater part of the rest mortally wounded —but three escaped unhurt; ameug the prisoners were (lie (wo chief- cf the ne groes ami Indians. On examining the prisoners, they stated that Edward Dan iels, O. S. who was made prisoner in the boat on the ‘ITtli July, was tarred and- burnt slive;-in consequence of (his savage act, both the chiefs were executed on the spot by the friendly Indians. From the bt st information we could ac certain, there v/ere 2,500 stand of musket y, with accoutrements complete; 500 car- uiurs; 500 steel -ca'ib tril sw ord-; 4 cases containing 200 pair of pistols; 300 quarter casks of rifle power; 162 barrels of cannon powder, besidec a-large quantity of milita ry stores and clothing that I was not abb- to collect any account of, owiiig-tu an en gagement made by colonel Clinch null (he Indians, in which be promised them all the property captured except the cannon and shot. The property captured on the -2rth Ju ly, according tu Che best information m could obtain, and, at the lowest caiculatioi could not have been less than £200,000 rn value; die remnant of the property that the Indians did not take Was transported to Fori Crawford and to this place, an in ventory o!' winch f have the lionoi to trans mit for your further infoi (nation, - On sounding the river, 1 found it impas sable for vessels drawing more .than 41 feet water; consequently col. Clinch tool tlie provisions from the General .Pike into flats, and lightened the Semelante, so a to enable her to ascend the river as high as Fort Crawford. On the 3d August, af- f.-r setting fire to the remaining parts of tlie f,<rt and village, I left the river, and arrived at this anchorage on the 12th cur rent d cannet close this letter, without ex pressing to you my entire approbation of me conduct of sailing master James Bas sett, commanding gun vessel Nu. 154 lo: nis cool, delibe. ate, and masterly con duct, and the support I received from him in ai* ettsps of difficulty anil danger, In fact, sir, every officer and man did hi- duty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. Loomis. Commodore Daniel T. Patterson, Coni’g U. 3. Naval fortes, N. Orleans station. tiatwafpini, S'HGtauimtton wwrpona, SO? irtas- kft*. good-i.D(l bad, ,li0(.»*bayontts 100 ba\« net scabbards.' 1810 cart ouch btxe» v ^9u h»ynr.tt b< V20 '•.ntoucb belts^ 15l> gun sTm^- .7 ivoid b« ts t •7 • ^non, 16carbmt btU». 33 buH strap', 22 hmveriAcks, 75 ■set black Accoutre n ents in o hoxrs* 2 small b'lxcs of musket bails, o 3W* gun fl-nts, 5 '-cross-cut taus, 1 vh p du; 170 ur pr« shot, stand 24 pr. mpe. 50'do mx pr. do 17 canister 24 pr. 70 shell?*, 80 round 6 pr pr shot* ^ boxes loose grape. i3*aier c»*k% du cks. *itb hoops and hea ls, one $/1 hamc-fi for field, one lot copper houps, our loi loose blocks J. Loomis, c.m <?#. Article* -received-by Unit c«/. Clinch, ftr the tut Aii c m cuit d. xix.- One brass howiuer, mounted c*n.;htej 26 spades, 43 shovt ls' 54 pick ax» s, 1 broad axe. 1 Coopers’ adz, 2 cmw b<ts 2 hom, 1V!0 pr shuts, pair tin scales, 1 tackle fail ami blocks, 2crt)sa- cut saws, 1 cart. 1 cutter boat, u fla’s 700 .wp’kcs, 46 > old belts. 40 new carbond bvUs, 8 >unr.’ b< Its, 2 casks flints, comaair.g 20,»CX ; l<-0'00 cart ridge boxes, 1 box coutair.mg 20 m«<«ktts, lo»«n mil), 50 copper hoops, 4 acta harness, i ut cart harness. D-X*. Cusco- U S. 4th Infantry, From Commodore J’atterson to the Secre tary of the oYtivy. vVca kutit 6th 18’6. Sn»—I have the Hoik*t to transmit li. r« with co pies of Utters vliK.fi p .sxtfi Ifiivan /adii.^ n as ter Jairus Loomt* and an ofliCcr < t bis Ca in lie majesty, relative to the destruction of ht N»g o Fort on the AppaUchiroia. nnd;tu sin s, &c c>}'» tured there .\fr Loomis states to me tout ‘he officer afterwards mfom.ed h.m Ins titmuiui was made w ithout ai.p authority fn>n. the g *\4wnor <tf Pensacola, but siir.p'y j; on his owi;, dec-mu g it hi* duty so to do, expressing :»* the mrit tine the pleasure hr fi.lt at tlu destruenem sf the fi-rt, and , the gratiflcatiun it wouht afford to hiv govrnin.ent. * 1 i»ave life honor to be, witl great re*^, ert, &.C. lU.'Dl 1’. I’iTTiUSOS. The hon. Cenj VV Cr -uin: J.icu , Secretary of the i> T xy, Washington. Sir—The offi'er whom I -sent on board the ves sel under your command, bating uturnnd me hat un the m. rn.ng vf 27' It July kst. you had (aken and de?tr< j<d ’.be turt of aAppa.Jch;r*'ta, n which Wore several negrt»es, luuawajs fn m Pens,,cola, and that the arnUery,hnunui j.mn,Lc. which beuiGge** t«» saiti fort, had 6o.ii embarked by >ou on board the vessels td the division tinder your command, 1 consider i* my duty to dtniai d f you, in the name ofgr.vernm.in, ad t|.« ;.n-L lery and ammunition which you havi taKtnpoa- ftsiun of Oeionging to a l« rtr.ss esiabl.shrd tn the territory of ins Catholic mje t«,, winch tieoiand, J do not doubt you will accede \o, con sidering the perfect harmony winch exists be- ween my governm nt and that ofthe ti States of America 1 also ,r quest the favor of you to give tae a circumstan iat account of wha: occur red in the taking and destruction i f .he sa.d fortress, in order that I may communicate the i*ine to the governor of the province « f West Florida. May God preserve.you many years. On board the sch= oner Maria of Pensacola, at anclior in the m.mth of the river *\;>palachi* cola, od of Au^uvt. 18X6. lfENlGNO UXACZA (>ALDLUOJT. Tc J. ^/oomw. From ’Commodore Patterson to the Secre tary of the JYavy. ■New-Orlean*, 15/4 August, 1816. Sva—^With the letter ofthia date, transmitting the report of sailing master J. Loomis, I had the Honor also to transmit a copy ofthe inventory of all the articles saved after the explosion; those de livered to Ute army were represented by colonel Clinch to oc. necessary to the public set vice; the remainder are deposited here, and, being some what at a loss in what light to consider them, I have to request ot the Department their instruc tions relative to the disposal of them; it to be li- bcilvd and sold, or not, and if as prize of war, or eaprured from outlaws, and whether the articles ot great value, -which were taken by tlie friendly liidi .u* aetjug with tht army, vinter an kgret- mf.t mace by co! Clinch, ana which Cwuld inly aflrct property captured hy hi» forces, and not at *d*i ply to tne navy; ami, a> it appears by Mr. Lfaorms’s »tatemerit, the fort was destroyed, and this property captureu Irom an infinitely superior force, by tht navy alone, without any military co-operation whaiever, the navy alone is ewtitleii to ali the proceeds arisii.g therefrom Mr. Lo >. ra>s avNC/ited to the fndiaHs taking those articles, from a persuasion that rt was for the beat interests ofthe government L> do so, and to prevent any misundersUndng and dt>content which would have rthuited frum iheir being deprived ©f what tixey considered, by their agreement with lieut col Chech, to be tbeirTight, not bti: g capable ot maktng a distinction between captures made b\ the army, and those made by the navy. Tins ser vice having been achieved in so brilliant a man ner, will, 1 trust, give entire satistactiun to the President of the Cuted States and Uie Department; and die captors rely with the utmost - confidence the LbcraLty and justice of the government for herr reward, and titat they will be allowred ti e slue of tlie property furni*heu the army, and plundered by the friendly Indians attached to the Fll> . The approbation of B(iy government in this ser vice, will be highly gratify mg to myself and offi cers l have ihebb.yor to be, with great respect, your udedieot scrza.it, BaxrxL T. Pattzc«ox. l*bfcbpi>. Benj. W. Crowcinsh eld, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Inventory cf article* iUtpped on hard the ache on er General Tihe, 'from the Negro Ter: to -Yen- Or lean*, to toy-- Four -4 pr. iron cannon, fouf 6 pr. do de. one pr. field j>iccc, 7 ship carriages lor the first men- II. S G. V ntl No 149. Appalachicola lf.su, August 5, 2816. -• Cir—Four's of tliii datx I .have had the honor of receiving. As respects your d« mantis 1 dull transmit them to the government of the United States. The property captured of the 27th « f July, 1816. on the Appnlachicr.lu river, in Bast Florida, .1 consider as belonging to ru away slaves, who had absconded from the V. States and ehe*here, to protect themselves against their proper mas* ten*. The tort was defended under the English Hag accompanied wi'.li the bloody flag, therefore I consider it my duty to ho!d ihe said property until-1 receive further instruction* fiom the com manding naval oflict r of tlie New-Orh ans station. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. J. Loomis. Bcnirrjio Garcia Calderons From the Se retary of the JYavy to Com modore P .tttrson. Navy !•epanmctit, October 5, 1816. Sir——Your two letters of August 15th, enclos ing copies of the report of operations of two gun vessels, under sailing-master Loomis; ecli.dule ot •tores taken after the destruction of the fori upon the Appalachicola; with copies of your co> res- pondence with the military commanding oflicec, have been received. The importance of the transaction alluded and to, tne question of the legal disposition of the properly, induced me tu transmit the papers entire to the president t.f «he U. Stages, as well for his in forma ion as fi.r the necessary instructions in reply, to govern you m the course most proper to be pursued, 't he >ubr ject involves various and nrt< re-tmg points, of national jurisdiction, jurisprudence, and national policy, which will be brought before congress at iheir next session, as requiring legislative decision*-! over which the executive power has no dirtc* or xcluuve control. Under these circurmtacces you are directed to have the property securely deposited under your immediate superintendence ar<d protection. A complete inventory must be taken of every article, and an sppra semt nt by competent arid judicious persons made^-Ut and transmitted to this department Perishable arti- , cles, upon survey, and being fou’.d so may be , sofd at public auction, and th. proceeds dej unit ed to meet Mich order as coi gress shall take re- pecting the whole. Such articles as the public service shall necessarily require, n ay be taken for its use, afirr appraisement, and .receipt given therefor—the papers and documents relative to which, you will transmit with the inventory. In the present state of the case, I do nut fid authorised to express an opinion (or official sanc tion) of tlie proceedings, in atrticipa’ion of the course which congress in its wisdom may deem proper to adopt; although the conduct of the na val officers engaged in this expedition apptars to justify a belief of their having performed *h*-»r duty with their usual spirit and gallantry. Their claims to the property, and to tlie approbation of '.he President, will in due time come ur dcr consi- leration Tne case in some res; tets is a new one, and the actual hostility on either part cannot * e conddtred as a lawful belli^eieut act, cut of h:ch would arise the right ot pnz of war It will undoubtedly be competent t*» the g'jvtrnmfnt to reward the merit of its naval and m;lm>ry cers according to the importance attached to the service. It may distnbu.e among tfu.ni the whole or a part of the property brought ©IF, in uich pro portion* as may be judged pr »per, and every aid will be afforded you by .this department, consist ently with its duty. I am, very respectfully, 8cc. By order of the Secretary ofthe Nsvy, hiNJkMI.V i.OSAVS. Com. D T Patterson, commanding naval uflicer, New Orleans. The nhip Lion, Tawntcr.d, arrived here from Cantos, has brought to if.is country, three natives of Madis-.n’s Island, in the Sooth sea. which, it will be recollected, wa» taken possession ofbj captain Porter,, in the frigate Essex, in November, ItJJd, for the United States. Two of them are young men upwards of 20 years o.M, pin- batily, mid the other s lad of about 12.— They are copper-colored, and tatluued ac cording to tlieis costum, by puncturing the skin and introducing a dark liquid, winch lias a singular appearance. Tuejr appear to be.inoffensive youths, and .is they are .imtrican citizens, having been adopted into the great American family, we lru*t they will be treated wi<h kindness and iunqiitality—Providinct Pat, ir</» inst
