Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

CHARLESTON

Camden August 4.

Messieurs Freneau & Paine.

Gentlemen,

LEST any misrepresentation of a recent transaction, which has taken place in this neighbourhood, should be offered to the public, I beg the favour of you to publish the following, as early as possible.

"Col. Cantey received information, that on Thursday night last, an attempt would be made by a band of ruffians, collected at the Simpsons, (brothers to David Simpson, who lately died in the goal of this place, having been convicted of negro-stealing) to rob our old neighbour, William Bonds--they were then to take some of the most valuable horses belonging to the two Messrs. Cheruts; finally to kill Daniel Carter, the prosecutor of David, and to escape over the mountains to where the other brothers are gone. A party was collected, and laid in ambush near the house of Mr. Bonds: about half past ten o'clock two men arrived, knocked, and asked for quarters: on the door being opened, one of them presented a pistol at the old gentleman, and demanded 200l. The party immediately appeared at the door, and ordered them to surrender. One, whose name is Tyler, (but who was not long since committed to the common goal of this place for passing counterfeit money, under the name of Hammond) sprang to the door and attempted to escape: he was immediately seized and ordered again to surrender, having a pistol in his hand; being extremely strong and active, he struggled very much, and appeared to be on the point of killing the gentleman, who had hold of him, and getting loose, when a shot was fired at him, which entered his back near the shoulder: he instantly got free and ran; several guns were immediately discharged from different quarters; he fell, after having proceeded about one hundred and fifty yards."

"Our unfortunate friend, John Brown, was soon discovered lying dead, killed by a shot in the neck; but whether by an accidental shot from one of our own party, or from the discharge of a piece from one of the villains on them, we have not been able to ascertain."

"James and Samuel Simpson were taken without resistance the next night; and yesterday were committed to goal. Hammond (or Tyler) died yesterday morning, after making many confessions, and finally revoking them. A more daring and hardy villain I never knew. It appears he came fully determined to murder the old gentleman after having robbed him, to prevent a discovery."

"Mr. D. Carter, one of their intended victims, has no less than ten children, the oldest under thirteen years of age."

JOHN KERSHAW.