''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
