The Kentucky Gazette

Mr. BRADFORD.

As I find that one of my fellow citizens in your paper, desires from me an account of the last transaction, at Limestone. I think it my duty to comply with that desire. Having had no object, but to prevent, as far as I could, the oppression of a fellow citizen, I can have no desire, that any part of my conduct should be concealed. The public will easily distinguish in reading the following narrative what facts I relate from my own knowledge and what from information. The latter can, I believe, be verified by affidavits. the former I will verify in the same manner.

On the night of the 20th day of August last, three boats containing a party of 75 men of the United States Regiment, commanded by Capt. M'Curdie, arrived at Limestone. Upon their arrival the troops were permitted to disperse through the town without restraint. They entered the houses of the inhabitants and insulted and abused their owners. As one particular instance of which a number of the soldiers entered the house of a certain William Caldwell, a baker, where they continued behaving in a very indecent and disorderly manner, until they got all the bread which he then had, without offering any kind of compensation therefor. They plundered and ravaged the gardens, vine patches and corn lots of the Inhabitants and carried off a number of their farming utensils. About day light a Sergeant and six men, entered the house of one John Young, and forcibly seized a certain Lewis Witzel, (who in attempting to defend himself from their Violence, wounded one of them in the hand.) and dragging him by the hair, down the bank, to one of their boats, they confined him therein, and finally carried him away. Information of this transaction was immediately sent to me, as Lieutenant of the county of Mason. In consequence of that information and alarmed at such a violation of the rights of my fellow citizens, I determined to take every step in my power towards an enquiry into the cause. On the 25th following, accompanied by about 20 men to work the boat, I went down the Ohio to the post, Opposite to the mouth of Licking River I there informed Maj. Doughty, who commanded the garrison, of the outrages committed at Limestone. He expressed much sorrow for the occasion; but observed, that as Capt. M'Curdie had gone on to Post St. Vincent, he had now no controul over him. I then enquired what offence was alledged against Witzel and upon what pretence he had been seized by those troops, when he was within the State of Virginia? Maj. Doughty replied, that Witzel had been accused of the murder of an Indian, in the Hunting ground near Muskingum; but that the Indian had recovered and that the only witness against him had left the country. That Witzel had been arrested in the first instance, by a warrant from Judge Parsons, and for want of a Jail, was committed to the custody of the garrison at Muskingum, from whom he had escaped. That his opinion was, that no charge could be supported against Witzel and that he had directed Capt. M'Curdie to deliver him to Judge Symmes.—I then proceeded to Judge Symmes's Station, where I found Witzel a prisoner in irons —Upon informing Judge Symmes of the conversation between Maj. Doughty and myself and enquiring what he proposed to do with the prisoner, he replied, that the prisoner had been arrested by a warrant from Judge Parsons, to whom he would write, requesting him to send forward his charges.

I then asked if any warrant had been brought with the prisoner? He replied that there had not, but he supposed that it would be sent with the charges. I then asked, if the prisoner was to remain in irons until those charges were sent forward, and when those charges might be expected? He answered, "some time next fall." I now observed to the Judge, that I could not believe, that the people of Kentucky would submit to a fellow citizen's being detained in irons when no charge was made against him and none likely to be supported.

Judge Symmes then gave his opinion, that Witzel's crime was bailable; upon which two of Witzel's friends who were present offered to be his bail. There now remained another difficulty. Witzel complained of having been robbed of 22 dollars and a half and 28 guineas and a half Upon this complaint, Judge Symmes informed me, that Capt. M'Curdie acknowledged that he had 22 dollars belonging to the prisoner for which he would, when called upon, be answerable; but that he did not mention the gold. It appeared, however, from the declaration of the Sergeant, who received Witzel from Capt. M'Curdie, that Witzel had complained to him (Capt M'Curdie,) of having been robbed of the abovementioned sum. At the desire of Judge Symmes, who was apprehensive, that otherwise Witzel would suppose himself rescued, and in order that he might be further examined as to the loss of his Money, I left the station.

He was afterwards bailed and released. I have since my return, written an account of the above transaction to Gen. Harmar but have received no answer.

your Humble Servant,

HENRY LEE

October 19, 1789.