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The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
On August 29, 1814, Captain John A. Gordon of HMS Seahorse presents capitulation terms to Alexandria's Common Council, demanding surrender of naval stores, shipping, and merchandise to prevent town destruction, as relayed by Mayor Chas. Sims to Georgetown's mayor.
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Copy of a letter from the Mayor of Alexandria to the Mayor of Geo. Town.
"Enclosed is a copy the terms proposed to the Common Council of Alexandria, by the commanding officer of the squadron now lying before the town, to which they were compelled to submit. I believe they will certainly go to George Town and the City.
"Very respectfully, your ob't,
"CHAS. SIMS."
H. M. S. Seahorse, off Alexandria,
29th August, 1814.
Gentlemen,
In consequence of a deputation yesterday received from the City of Alexandria, requesting favourable terms for the safety of the city, the undermentioned are the only conditions in my power to offer.
The Town of Alexandria, with the exception of public works, shall not be destroyed, unless hostilities are commenced on the part of the Americans, nor shall the inhabitants be molested in any manner whatever, or their dwelling-houses entered, if the following articles are complied with.
Art. 1. All naval & ordnance stores, (public or private) must be given up.
2. Possession will be immediately taken of all the shipping, and their furniture must be sent on board by the owners without delay.
3. The vessels that have been sunk, must be delivered up in the state they were in the 19th August, the day the squadron passed the Kettle Bottoms.
Merchandize of every description must be instantly delivered up, and to prevent any irregularity that might be committed in its embarkation, the merchants have it at their option to load the ships generally employed for that purpose, when they will be towed off by us.
5. All merchandize that has been removed from Alexandria since the 19th inst. is to be included in the above articles.
6. Refreshments of every description to be supplied the ship, and paid for at the market price by bills on the British Government.
7. Officers will be appointed to see that articles, Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, are strictly complied with, and any deviation or non-compliance on the part of the inhabitants of Alexandria, will render this treaty null and void.
I have the honor, &c.
JOHN A. GORDON,
Captain of H. M. S. Seahorse, and Senior Officer of His Majesty's Ships of
Alexandria.
To the Common Council of the
Town of Alexandria.
From the New-Haven Journal, Aug. 22.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Alexandria
Event Date
29th August, 1814
Key Persons
Outcome
town spared destruction and inhabitants unmolested if terms complied with; surrender of naval and ordnance stores, shipping, sunk vessels, merchandise, and provisions supplied to british ships.
Event Details
British Captain John A. Gordon offers capitulation terms to Alexandria's Common Council following a deputation requesting safety; terms include surrender of all naval and ordnance stores, possession of shipping, delivery of sunk vessels as of August 19, all merchandise including removed items, supply of refreshments paid by British bills, with officers to enforce compliance or void the treaty.