Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Mr. Custis of Arlington, has just received a letter from his agent on the coast giving information of the British having landed on Smith's Island, and borne off some stock, &c. and also enclosing two certificates signed by the Lieutenant of the Marlborough, saying. "The stock were seized for the use of his Britannic majesty's ships, and would be paid for on demand." These certificates were written with a pencil on scraps of paper, and given by the English officer to the islanders, directing them "to forward the papers to their Landlord." Mr. Custis writes his agent in reply: "You will not yourself receive, nor permit the islanders to receive, on my account, any monies, or valuation of any kind, in recompence for stock, which may be taken from Smith's Island. If out of your power to make resistance, (as you inform me it is) my property must abide the fate of war, in common with the rest of my countrymen. I do not expect, nor will I ever receive, any privilege, or exemption from the enemy, and would prefer the desolation of my estates, to a bare suspicion of such infamy. I am at a loss to know, by what misrepresentation of my character or conduct in life, the English officers have been induced to insult my feelings, by the transmission of the certificates you enclosed. Should any further communications be made in writing from the fleet, (if they are sealed) it is proper that you transmit them to the office of the Secretary of State."