Virginia Argus

DOMESTIC.

PHILADELPHIA, May 22.

The following is a more particular account of the destruction of Frederick and George Town, (Md.) than has yet been published. It is written by an eye witness, and addressed to a federal house in this city. It will be found worth the reading.

Demo. Press.

Head of Chester, May 10th, 1813.

"You will no doubt have heard some time ago of the burning of Frederick and George-Town, but finding that even here there are such a variety of reports, that it is difficult to ascertain the truth; I have therefore thought it would be quite acceptable to you to have a correct account of it, which I will furnish you as far as my observation and information will enable me. I was myself there, being called out with our company of militia: but there being few of them supplied with arms, I was not in the intrenchment, but employed at the time in preparing cartridges. About an hour after sun-rise the alarm was given, and soon after 18 or 19 barges and boats came up. The militia being badly provided with arms and cartridges, there was but a very ineffectual resistance, and the militia retreated. From the barges a considerable firing was kept up with musketry and cannon from grape or cannister to eighteen pounders, and a number of rockets, but no damage done to the militia. As soon as they gained the towns, the smoke began to rise. Frederick being a deposit for goods from the cross line from Baltimore to your place; we supposed they would only destroy two vessels that were there and the stores or warehouses, but they went on with an indiscriminate firing of dwellings. I think but two houses were left in Frederick. In one the lady of the house had just laid in, but they were not to be satisfied until the infant was produced; in the other house they built a fire in the passage, but were afterwards appeased by the man and his sister who struck by. I am told they demanded of him a number of bullocks, then a quantity of poultry and caused him to run himself to death almost, and put him under many humiliating circumstances.

"George-Town is no place of commerce, not having a single store, but is principally inhabited by widows and orphans, who resided there for the convenience of a school, but this was no consideration with their savage foe; it was presently discovered in flames, school-house and all; a few houses however were spared, and it is difficult to know the reason for it. Mrs Everett stuck by hers, and with prayers and entreaties saved it. I am told she began pleading for others, but was told that if she did not desist they would burn hers also. I am told they made particular enquiry for a Mr. Joseph Ward's house; they then went up the river about a mile and an half, and fired it, while they spared others in the country where they were. The reason for this is difficult to ascertain, some suppose on account of the difference of what we call politics, but I pretend not to know. They seem from all I can learn, to have an astonishing knowledge of characters amongst us; for while their conduct at the above places was so ferocious it is said they were at other places down the river, extremely polite and civil for our enemy. Some houses they pillaged, at others they took nothing except poultry or something in that way; be their motives what they may, their conduct is certainly mean and contemptible for the officers themselves, and in many instances savage, for a nation pretending to civilization, and ought to disgrace them in the eyes of the world; if the civilized world itself be not verging back to a state of barbarism.

"Admiral Cockburn was said to be at the head, but I expect those mean tricks will be disavowed, and their head and promoted. They reported down the river that they went up with a flag as they pretend in other instances but it is denied by all that I have seen who saw them, that they showed any; they pressed a man down the river to come up with them; he says they had no flag, except that they met with two negroes in a boat, put a piece of white paper on their hats, and put them in front as negociators; with such a hostile force, however, I can see no difference whether it be a white or red flag they hoist.

"It is said they threaten Chester-town on our river, and the people have been much alarmed indeed, but there they would have met with hot work, if they had landed. A few days ago they landed on Kent island, and burnt a ferryboat, the tavern and other houses at the ferry belonging to a Mr. R. J. Jones, a native of their country.

"It is now said the whole force has moved down the Bay, and the alarms at present have subsided, and some of the militia been discharged.

"The inhabitants here were much alarmed, but I think there is very little probability of their attempting to come here by water - it is about 18 to 20 miles from Chester-town. The river for some distance narrow, crooked and difficult, with a good deal of pine woods on the shores, which they don't like; they could not get even with barges nearer than from two to three miles; we could have a good chance of giving them bush fighting, and at least annoying them very much. Several deserted at Georgetown- I have conversed with one, he appears honest and simple in his manners; he says many more would desert if they could get a chance in the woods: while the officers are very shy and fearful of the woods, I am told the men are much delighted with the appearance of them."

* Mr. Ward is a zealous republican, and a member of the state legislature,