Relations with Spain.

tailed 10 form a supernumerary member of the between the 1st and 20th of April, that I would special court now siling at Fort St. Mark's. not have anything to do with the negroes and By order:

Indians in exciting them to war with the United ROBERT BUTLER, Adj't Gen. Slates ? Pursuant to the above order, the supernume

Answer. About the fifteenth of April I heard rary member took his seat.

you say you would not have anything to do with

ihe negroes and Indians; I heard nothing about Joon Lewis Poenix, a witness on the part of exciting them to war. the prosecution, being duly sworn, stated that, Question. Can you read writing? about the 5th or 6th of April, 1818, his vessel Answer. Not English writing. and bimself having been caplured by the pris. Question. Did you not hear me say, when aroper, and he brought to Suwanee as a prisoner, riving at Suwanee, that I wished to be off imthere was an alarm among the begroes and In-mediately for Providence ? dians, created by learning some news from Mick- Answer. I did not; after the alarm, you said asuky, al which time the prisoner appeared ac you wished to be off for Tampa. tive in giving orders and sending a detachment Question. Did you not say to the accused you to meet the army. The winess also stated ibat wished to visit Mr. Arbuthnot at his store on the prisoner appeared to be a person invested Suwanee, and get provisions yourself ? with authority among the negro leaders, and Answer. I did noi; I stared I wanted provisions. gave orders for their preparation for war, pro- Question. Did I send or command any Indians curiog ammunition, &c., and that the leaders to go and fight the Americans ? came to him for orders ; the pri-oner furnished Ånswer. I do not exactly know that you sent them with powder and lead, and recommended them; the Indians and negroes were crowdiog to them the making of balls, &c. very quickly. before your door, and you were dividing the paint, The witness also stated that the prisoner occa &c. amung them; and I understood a party was sionally dressed in uniform, with his sword, and going to march. ibat on the first alarm, which he understood was Question. Did I not give up the schooner in from Mickasuky. by a negro woman, he put on charge to you as captain ? his uniform. The wiiness further stated ihal, Answer. After our return from Suwanee town, some time aboui ibe 201h of March, 1818, the you directed me to take charge of her to go to prisoner with an armed body of negroes (I wenty- Tampa. four in number) came on board bis vessel, and JOHN J. ARBUTINOT, a witness on the part of ordered him to pilot them to Fort Si. Mark's, the prosecution, being duly sworn, stated that, which he stated he intended to capture before some time about the 23d of March, the prisoner The Americans could get there, threatening to came with a body of negroes, parily armed, to hang the witness if he did not obey.

his father's store, on Suwanee river, and told the Question by the couri. Did you ever under- witness that he had come to do justice to the stand by wbose authority and for what purpose country, by taking the goods and distributing the accused came into the country ?

them among the negroes and Indians, which the Answer. I bave frequenıly beard him say that witness saw the prisoner do; and that the prishe came to allend to Mr. Woodbine's business at oner stated to him that he had come to the counthe bay of Tampa.

try on Woodbine's busigess, to see the negroes Question by ihe prisoner. Did I not tell you, righted. The witness has further koowo the when I came ou buaid the schooner Chance, il prisoner to give orders to the degroes; and that, wished you to pilot me to Si. Mark's, as I was at his suggestion, a party was sent from Suwagee informed that iwo Americans, by the names of to meet the Americans to give them batile; which Hambly and Doyle, were confined there, and I party returned on meeting the Mickasuky Indians wished to have ihem released from their cool in their flight. The witness also testified to the fioemeol?

bandwriting of the letter marked A, and referred Answer. You stated you wanted to get Ham. to in the specification of the second charge as the bly and Duyle from St. Mark's; I do not know writing of the prisoner. what were your intentions in so doing.

Question by the prisoner. Did you hear me say Question. Did I pul iell you ibai I expected that I came on Woodbine's business ? the lodians would fire on me when I arrived at Answer. I did. St. Mark's ?

Question by the prisoner. Were not the negroes Answer. You did pot; you stated that you alluded 10 at Arbuihool's store before I arrived ? intended to take the fori in the night by sur. Answer. No, you came with them. prise.

Peter B. Cook, a witness on the part of the Question. Did you see me give ammunition to prosecution, being duly sworn, stated that he the negroes and ludians; if so, how much, and never heard the prisoner give any orders to loat what lime ?

dians or negroes; that the prisoner did distribute Answer. I saw you give powder and lead to Arbuthnot's goods, and also paint, to the negroes the neglves when you came on board, and ad- and Indians; also, that some powder was brought vised them to make balls; and I saw you give from Suwanee by the prisoner; and distributed liquor and paint to the Indians.

among the negroes by Nero. Some time in Question. Have you not often heard me say, 1 March the prisoner took Arbuthnot's schooner,

Relations with Spain.

and, with an armed party of negroes, about the court found the prisoner, Robert C. Ambristwenty-four in number, set out for St. Mark's for ter, guilty of so much of the specification to the the purpose of taking Arbuthnot's goods at that first charge as follows, viz: "And did excite place, and that he would compel the commandant them to war with the United States, by sending to give them up. On hearing of the approach of their warriors to meet and fight the American the American army, the prisoner told the negroes army, he being a subject of Great Britain, which it was useless for them to run ; for if they ran any Government was at peace and friendship with farther, they would be driven into the sea. the United States and all her citizens ;" but not

The prisoner told the wilness that he had been guilty of the other part of the specification ; a lieutenant in the British army under Colonel guiliy of the first charge; guilty of the specifiNicholls. The prisoner was sent by Woodbine to cation of the second charge, and guilty of the Tampa to see about those negroes he had left second charge; and do therefore sentence the there. The prisoner told the wiluess he had prisoner, Robert C. Ambrister, to suffer death, written a letter to Governor Cameron for ammu, by being shot, two-thirds of the members of the nition for the Indians some time in March, and court concurring therein. also told the witness that he had a commission One of the members of the court requesting a in the patriot army under McGregor, and that he reconsideration of his vote on the sentence, The expected a captaincy. The witness testified ibat sense of the court was taken thereon, and decithe letters marked A, B, C, and D, and referred ded in the affirmative; when the vote was again to in the specification to the second charge, were taken, and the court sentenced the prisoner to in the handwriting of the prisoner ; also ope receive fifty stripes on his bare back, and be con. marked E.

fined with a ball and chain to hard labor for Question by the prisoner. Did you not fre- iwelve calendar moaths. quently, hear me say that I would have nothing The court adjourned sine die. to do with the Indians in exciting them to war

EDMUND P. GAINES, with the United Siales ?

Major Gen. President of the court. Answer. I do not recollect.

J. M. GLASSELL, Recorder. Que stion. Are you acquainted with Lewis

A. Phenix, and have you not heard him express illwill against me in consequence of my wishing From Robert C. Ambrister to His Excellency, Charles him to pilot me to St. Mark's ?

Cameron, Governor of Bahamas.
Answer. I never did.

SUWANEE, NEAR FORT ST. MARK'S,
Question. Do you know of my sending troops

March 20, 1818. at any time to fight against the United States; SIR: I am requested particularly by all our and have I not been constantly with you, so that Indian chiefs to acquaint your excellency that you would have had an opportunity of knowing the Americans have commenced hostilities with if there had been any sent by me?

them two years ago, and have advanced some Aoswer. I have not. They might have been considerable distance in their country, and are sent without my knowledge.

now making daily progress. They say ihey Jacob HARMON, a witness on the part of the sent a number of letters to your excellency by prosecution, being duly sworn, stated that, some Arbuthnot, but have never received one answer, time in the latter end of March, or 1st of April, which makes them believe that he never delivered the prisoner took possession of the schooner them, and you will oblige them much if you will Chance, with an armed party of negroes, and let them know whether he did or not. The pur. stated his intentions of taking St. Mark's.' On port of the letters was, begging your excellency his way thither, on going ashore, he learned io be kind enough to send them down some gurfrom some lodians that Arbuthnot had gone to powder, muskels, balls, lead, cannon, &c., as they St. Mark's, which induced him to return. The are now completely out of those articles. The witness also stated that while the prisoner was Americans may march through the whole terrion board, he had complete command of the ne- tory in one month, and, without arms, &c., they groes, who considered him as their captain. must surrender. Hillis Hadjo, or Francis, the The prisoner took the cargo of the vessel up to-lodian chief, the one that was in England, tells wards Suwanee, which consisted of, with other me to let your excellency know that the Prince articles, nine kegs of powder and five hundred Regent told him that whenever he wanted am. pounds of lead.

munition your excellency woulù supply bim with The evidence on both sides being closed, the as much as he wanted. They beg me to press prisoner was allowed until five o'clock this eve- upon your excellency's mind to send the aboveping to make his defence.

mentioned articles down by the vessel that brings The time allowed the prisoner for the prepar- this to you, as she will sail for this place imme. ation of his defence having expired, he was diately, and let the Prioce Regent know of their brought before the court, and made the defence situation. Any letters that your excellency may marked M, which is attached to these pro- send down be good enough to direct to me, as they ceedings.

have great dependence in my writing. Any news The court was then cleared, and the proceed that your excellency may have respecting them ings read over by the recorder, when, after due and America, you will be doing a great favor to deliberation on the testimony brought forward, let me know, that I may send among them.

Relations with Spain.

There is now a very large body of Americans lency; they wish me to state to you that they are and lodians, which I expect will attack us every completely out of ammunition, muskets, &c., day, and God only knows how it will be decided; begging your excellency will be pleased to send bui I must only say that this will be the last effort them the articles above-meptioned, with a few with us. There has been a body of Indians gone cannon, as the Americans build their boats so to meet them, and I have sent another party. I strong ihat their rifle balls cannot penetrate their hope your excellency will be pleased to grant the sides. To the captain of the vessel, who will favor they request. I have nothing further to add, come down again, I have given an order to make

But am, sir, with due respect, your obedient, your excellency acquainted with what time the humble servant,

vessel will sail for this place. Your excellency ROBERT C. AMBRISTER. will, I hope, be good enough to make the Prince

Regent acquainted with their situation, and ask B.

for assistance, which they have pressed me very From Robert C. Ambrister to Major Edward Nicholls. hard to press on your excellency's mind, and like. SUWANEE, NEAR RIVER APPALACHICOLA."

wise to send them down what news may be reDear Sir: Francis and all the Indian chiefs specting them and the country, which will be a have requested me particularly to acquaint you

great satisfaction to them.

I have the honor to be, sir, with due respect, that the Americans have commenced hostilities

your most obedient, humble servant, with them these iwo years past, and are making

ROBERTO C. AMBRISTER. daily progress in this territory, and say they will proceed ; that you are the only friend'they have N. B.—They beg your excellency will be as in that part of the world, and hope you will exert expeditious as possible. Your excellency is the yourself in their behalf, and ask for as much as- only dependence they have, and who the Prince sistancc as can be had ; that the Americans are Regent told them would give them every assistat the forks of the river Appalachicola ; they ance that lay in your power

.

R. C. A. have written a number of times to England and

His Excellency Governor CAMERON, &c. Providence, but have never received one answer ;

D. they expeci the man never delivered the letters,

Robert C. Ambrister to Governor Cameron. but they have full hopes in my writing; they request you will make the Prince Regent ac

SUWANEE, NEAR FORT St. Mark's, quainted with their deplorable situation. The

March 20, 1818. Americans have been very cruel ever since they Sir: I am requested by Francis, and all the have commenced, and hope you will not lose a Indian chiefs, to acquaint your excellency that single moment in forwarding their views; they they are at war with the Americans, and bave say they will be extremely happy to see you out; been some time back; that they are in great disnothing would give them greater pleasure than tress, for the want of ammunition, balls, arms, to see you out at this present time. If they should &c., and have written by Mr. Arbuiboot several not see you, send them out all news and direc- limes, but they suppose he never delivered them tions, that they may be guided by them. There to your excellency. You will oblige them much are about three hundred blacks at this place, and to let them know whether he did or not. I ex. a few of our bluff people; they beg me to say pect the Americans and Indians will attack us they depend on your promises, and expect you are daily. I have sent a party of men to oppose on ihe way out; they have stuck to the cause, and them. will always believe in the faith of you, and any They beg me to press on your excellency's directions you may give. Send to me at this mind io lay the situaiion of the country before place, and I will do what I can.

the Prince Regent, and ask for assistance. All I remain, my dear sir, most truly yours, news respecting them your excellency will do a

ROBERT C. AMBŘISTER. favor to let me know by the first opportunity, N. B. Francis says you must bring the horses that I may make them acquainted. I have given when you come out that you promised, and that directions to the captain to let your excellency his house has been burni down, and with it his know when the vessel will sail for this place. uniform clothes.

R. C. A. I hope your excellency will be pleased to send

them the ammunition. I expect, if they don't C.

procure some very shortly, that the Americans Robert C. Ambrister to Governor Cameron. will march through the country. I have nothing

March 20, 1818. further to add, but am, dear sir, your most obeSIR: I am requested particularly by the Indian dient, humble servant, chiefs to acquaint your excellency that the Amer

ROBERT C. AMBRISTER. icans have commenced hostilities with them a

His Excellency Governor CAMERON. long time since, and have advanced some distance

E. in their territory, and are still continuing to ad

Robert C. Ambrister to Peter B. Cook. vance; that they, the chiefs of Florida, have sent repeatedly to your excellency, and have never

MOUTH OF THE RIVER, received one answer; they suspect Mr. Arbuth

Tuesday, 3 o'clock. not has never delivered the papers to your excel- DEAR Cook: The boat arrived here abou

Relations with Spain.

three o'clock on Thursday. The wind has been destroy William Hambly and Edmund Doyle, ahead ever since I have been down; the rudder confiscate their property, and causing their arrest, of the vessel is in a bad condition, but I will with a view to their condemnation to death, and manage to have it done to-night. The wind, ! the seizure of their property, they being citizens am io hopes, will be fair in the morning, when I of Spain, on account of their active and zealous will get under way, and make all possible de exertions to maintain peace between Spain, the spatch. I will make old Lewis pilot me safe. If United States, and the Indians. those lodians do not conduct themselves strait, I To which charges the prisoner pleaded not would use rigorous measures with them. Beware guilty. of Mr. Jerry ; I found him on board when I came; The court, after mature deliberation on the keep a good look out. I have sent two kegs of evidence adduced, find the prisoner, A. Arbutha powder, and a bar of lead.

not, guilty of the first charge, and guilty of the Yours, &c.

R. C. A. second charge, leaving out the words "acting as M.

a spy;" and, after mature reflection, sentence

him, A. Arbuthnot, to be suspended by the neck DEFENCE.

until he is dead. Fort St. Mark's, April 28, 1818. Was also tried Robert C. Ambrister, on the The United States of America vs. Robert Chris- following charges, viz: tie Ambrister.

CHARGE 1. Aiding, abetting, and comforting Who being arraigned before a special couri- the enemy, and supplying them with the means martial upon the following charges, 10 wit:

of war, he being a subject of Great Britain, at Charge 1. Aiding, abetting, and comforting peace with the United States, and late an officer the enemy, supplying them with the means of of the British colonial marines. war, be being a subject of Great Britain, at peace

CHARGE 2. Leading and commanding the with the United States, and lately an officer in Lower Creek Indians in carrying on war against the British colonial marines.

the United States. CHARGE 2. Leading and commanding the Low

To which charges the prisoner pleaded as foler Creek Indians in carrying on war against the lows, viz: United States.

To the first charge, not guilty. To the second To the first charge, the prisoner at the bar charge, guilty, and justification. pleaded not guilty; and as to the second charge,

The court, on examination of the evidence, and he pleaded guilty, and justification. The prison mature deliberation, find the prisoner, Robert oner at the bar feels grateful to this honorable C. Ambrister, guilty of the first and second court for their goodness in giving a sufficiency of charges, and do, therefore, sentence him to suffer time to deliberate and arrange his defence on the death, by being shot. One of the members reabove charges.

questing a reconsideration of the vote on this The prisoner at the bar here avails himself of sentence, and it being had, they sentence the the opportunity of stating to this court, that, in- prisoner to receive fifty stripes on his bare back, asmuch as the testimony which was introduced and be confined with a ball and chain to hard in this case was very explicit

, and went to every labor for twelve calendar months. point the prisoner cuuld possibly wish, he has

The commanding General approves the finding nothing further to offer in his defence, but puts and sentence of the court in ihe case of A. Arhimself upon the mercy of this honorable court.

buthnot; and approves the finding and first senROBERT C. AMBRISTER.

tence of the court in the case of Robert C. Ambrister; and disapproves the reconsideration of

the sentence of the honorable court in his case; HEADQ'RS, DivisiON OF THE South, it appearing, from the evidence and pleading of

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, the prisoner, that he did lead and command with-
Camp four miles north of St.

in the territory of Spain (being a subject of Great Mark's, April 29, 1818. Britain) the Indians in war against the United GENERAL ORDERS.

States, these nations being at peace. It is an At a special court-martial, commenced on the established principle of the law of nations, that 26th instant, at St. Mark's, and continued until any individual of a pation, making war against the night of the 28th, of which Brevet Major the citizens of another nation, they being at peace, General E. P. Gaines is president, was tried A. forfeits his allegiance, and becomes an outlaw and Arbuthnot, on the following charges and specifi- pirate. This is the case of Robert C. Ambrister, cations, viz:

clearly shown by the evidence adduced. CHARGE 1. Exciting and stirring up the Creek The commanding General orders that Brevet Indians to war against the United States and Major A. C. W. Fanniog, of the corps of artil. her citizens, be, A. Arbuthnot, being a subject | lery, will have, between the hours of 8 and 9 of Great Britain, with whom the United States o'clock a. m., A. Arbuthnot suspended by the are at peace.

neck with a rope until he is dead; and Robert CHARGE 2. Acting as a spy, aiding, abetting, C. Ambrister to be shot to death, agreeably to the and comforting the enemy, and supplying them sentence of the court. with the means of war.

John James Arbuthnot will be furnished with CHARGE 3. Exciting the Indians to murder and a passage to Pensacola by the first vessel.

Relations with Spain.

Captain R. K. Call, of the first regiment of and wish for an engagement with the Americans, insantry, is appointed volunteer aid-de-camp to or McIntosh's troops; they would let them know the commanding General, until further orders. they had something more to do iban they had at

The special court, of which Brevet Major Appalachicola. They bave chosen Bowlegs for General E. P. Gaines is president, is dissolved. their head, and nominated him King, and pay By order of Major General A. JACKSON: him all kind of monarchial respect, almost to ROBERT BUTLER, Ad'jt General. idolatry, keeping a picket guard at the distance

of five miles. They have a number of the likeNo. 50.

liest American horses. But there are one or two [Extracts from Message of 25th March, 1818.]

chiess that are not of the choir; Kenbagee, the Extract of a letter from the Governor of Georgia to Mickasuky chief, is one that is an exception.

General Gaines, dated

MILLEDGEVILLE, February 5, 1817. Extract of a letter from Archibald Clarke, Intendant You do doubt have already been informed that

of St. Mary's Georgia, to General Gaines, dated the notorious Woodbine has recently made his

FEBRUARY 26, 1817. appearance again, at the mouth of the Appala- On the 25th instant the house of Mr. Garret, chicola, and ihat he has an agent now among the residing in the upper part of this county, neat Seminole lodians and negroes in ibat quarter, the boundary of Wayne county, was atracked stirring them up to acts of hostility against this during his absence, near the middle of the day, country; and that Woodbine bimself has gone, by this party, consisting of about fifteen, who in an armed vessel, to some part of the West In- shot Mrs. Garret in two places, and de: patched dies for supplies. Connecied with this fact is her by stabbing and scalping. Her iwo children, another, which may serve as an intimation of the one about three years, the other two months, future conduct of ihese people, when once in the were also murdered, and the eldest scalped ; the possession of the supplies which it is said they house was then plundered of every article of expect on the return of Woodbine. About ten value, and set on fire. or iwelve days ago, a small party of those Indians entered the frontier of Wayne county, and stole Extract of a letter from Richard M. Sands, 4th in. two horses and some cattle; they were pursued fantry, commanding at Fort Gaines, Georgia, to by some of the inhabitants, who peaceably de- Colonel William King, or officer commanding the manded a restoration of the stolen property; and, 4th regiment of infantry, dated ipstead of a compliance on the part of the Indians,

March 15, 1817. they immediately fired upon the whites, who retired without returning a shot. One of the whites which I received a few days since. Yesterday

I enclose, for your information, two letters was mortally wounded.

William Perryman, accompanied by two of the

Lower chiefs, arrived here; he informs me that Extract of a letter from George Perryman to Lieu. McQueen, the chief mentioned in one of the entenant Sands, dated

closed letiers, is at present one of the heads of FEBRUARY 24, 1817.

the hostilities; that they are anxious for war, The charge given me by Colonel Clinch and dren. He likewise says that he expects the

and have lately murdered a woman aod iwo chil. yourself, and other officers of the United States: news in George Perryman's letter is true, for induces me to believe there is a confidence placed there are talks going through the towns that the in me which I ought not to deceive; therefore English are to be at Ochlochnee river in three think it my duty as well as my inclination to

months. give you the following information: There was a friend of mine, not long since, in the Fowl Town on Flint, and he saw many horses, catile, Extract of a letter from David B. Mitchell, Indian and hogs, that had come immediately from the

agent, to the Secretary of War, dated State of Georgia; and they are bringing them

MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA, away continually. They speak in the most con.

March 30, 1817. temptuous manner of the Americans, and threaten By yesterday's mail I received a leller from to have satisfaction for what has been done- Mr. Timothy Barnard, who resides at Flint river, meaning the destruction of the Negro fort. There in the Indian country, a considerable distance is another of my acquaintances returned imme- below the agency, in which he observes: “I have diately from the Seminole towns, and saw the been informed iwo days past, from below, where pegroes on parade there; he counted about six the Red Suick class reside, that a party has been hundred thai bore arms; they have chosen offi- dowo near St. Mary's, and murdered a woman cers of every description, and endeavor to keep and two children, and brought off some horses." up a regular discipline, and are very strict in "I will further state thai" I have received inpunishing violators of their military rules. There formation from other persons at and near Fort is said to be about the same number of lodians Gaines, that a British agent is now among these belonging to their party, and there are both ne- hostile' Indians, and that he has been sending groes and Indians daily going to their standard. insolent messages to the friendly Indians and They say they are in complete fix for fighting, I white men settled above the Spanish line; he is

a