Winchester Gazette

Alexandria, July 16,

We understand that on Thursday evening last, a mob of one or two hundred people from Georgetown and Washington, passed over to the Sebastian Spring, where they destroyed the building, it setting them on fire! Altho' we agree with them in sentiment, and think it was proper to have the houses destroyed, having been the habitations of a band of robbers for some time past, and from their situation, promising a convenient shelter for such villains, who might occasionally step out and rifle the pockets of innocent and inoffensive travellers—yet it should be recollected that mobs in all cases, are dangerous, and ought to be discountenanced: for where is the security of an individual's habitation, if a mob are permitted to assemble on the slightest suggestions of an impropriety, or even an outrage committed within its walls, if you please, and destroy it, without even the sanction of authority?.

It is said this godly band consisted of an assemblage of the lowest class of society we hope it may be so—for we do not for a moment suppose one person of respectability to have been engaged in so disgraceful an embassy. The laws of this District are amply sufficient to restrain places offensive to the harmony and well being of society—and the people on this side of the water sufficient in power, and correct enough, to enforce them.— Herald.