A few nights ago some people privately entered the public magazine in this city and took a great number of guns, cartouch boxes, swords, canteens, &c. for which his Excellency the Governor has ordered a diligent search to be made.
The town of York being somewhat alarmed by a letter from Capt. [George] Montague, commander of his Majesty's ship the Fowey, addressed to the Hon. Thomas Nelson, Esq; President of his Majesty's Council in Virginia;1 and a copy of said letter being procured, a motion was made, that the copy should be laid before the committee; and considered.
The committee, together with Capt. Montague's letter, taking into consideration the time of its being sent, which was too late to permit the President to use his influence, had the inhabitants been disposed to molest and attack the detachment; and further considering that Col. Nelson, who, had this threat been carried into execution, must have been a principal sufferer, was, at that very moment, exerting his utmost endeavours in behalf of Government, and the safety of his Excellency's person, unanimously came to the following resolutions:
Resolved, that Capt. Montague, in threatening to fire upon a defenceless town, in case of an attack upon a detachment, in which said town might not be concerned, has testified a spirit of cruelty unprecedented in the annals of civilized times; that, in his late notice to the President, he has added insult to cruelty; and that, considering the circumstances, already mentioned, of one of the most considerable inhabitants of said town, he has discovered the most hellish principles that can actuate a human mind.
Resolved, that it be recommended to the inhabitants of this town, and to the county in general, that they do not entertain or shew any other mark of civility to Capt. Montague, besides what common decency and absolute necessity require.
Resolved, that the Clerk do transmit the above proceedings to the public printers to be inserted in the Virginia gazettes.
(true copy.)
WILLIAM RUSSELL, Clk. Com.
We hear from York town that in consequence of Captain Montague's letter to the President, many of the inhabitants were so much alarmed that they immediately removed their families and effects into the country.
