“Raleigh”

Date

3-21-1812

Newspaper

Carolina Federal Republican

Page and Column

Page 4, Column 3

Newspaper Location

New Bern, North Carolina

Serial Number

813

Abstract

Report from Raleigh, North Carolina, that says that the earthquakes on the Mississippi were “no Buncombe earthquake” first use of this term. Article goes on to say that accounts of William L. Pierce and others counteracted the ones by John Clark Edwards.

Transcript

RALEIGH, FRIDAY, Mach 6, 1812. The National Intelligencer says the Constitution brought from France no dispatches except duplicates of old dates from Mr. Russell. The Hornet which sailed from France for England on the first of January may be hourly expected in America. The earthquake on the Mississippi is no Buncombe earthquake. The accounts which we publish are corroborated by such a variety of concurrent testimony (which we want room to insert) that no doubts can be entertained of their truth. William Leigh Pierce, is a citizen of New-York, a friend and acquaintance of the editor of the Evening Post, who in a note preceding the letter, speaks of him as a man of sciences, entitled to the fullest confidence. The fables of John Clarke Edwards have made these remarks necessary. A long list of Officers for the new army has been laid before the Senate by the President. Judge Bee appointed by General Washington in 1790, district Judge of South Carolina, died lately in Charleston. The Report of the Court Martial on the trial of General Wilkinson has been published-there were 8 charges exhibited against the general, 1st. being a Spanish pensioner, (10 specifications)-2nd. Plotting with the Spanish government to dismember the union, (5 specifications)-3d. Treason and conspiracy with Aaron Burr-4th. Same being commander in chief-5th. Setting on foot a military expedition against a nation with whom the U. States were at peace-6th. Disobedience of orders in not removing the troops agreeably to the orders of the Secretary of War, from Terra Au Boeuf to a more healthy situation-7th. Neglect of duty, permitting unwholesome provision to be issued to the troops, not providing for the sick, withholding pay, clothing, medicines and other necessaries, (3. specifications)-8th. Mis application and waste of the public money, (3 specifications.) The evidence is not detailed; that against the general is mostly declared to be unworthy of credit, but the opinion of the court is given at great length in an elaborate and argumentative vindication of the accused, and concludes with declaring "On the whole Gen. W. appears to have performed all his various and complicated duties with zeal & fidelity and merits the approbation of his country." The president of the United States has approved of the sentence in the following words: "I have examined and considered the foregoing proceedings of the General Court Martial, held at Fredericktown for the trial of Brig. Gen. Wilkinson, and although I have observed in those proceedings with regret, that there are instances of the conduct of the court, as well as the officer on trial, which are evidently and jointly objectionable, his acquittal of the several charges exhibited against him is approved and his sword is accordingly ordered to be restored." [Though Gen. Wilkinson has regained his sword he will never regain his reputation. This white-washing attempt of his friends who composed the court will avail him very little with the publick or with the great mass of the army] The Boston Gazette says that Sir Samuel Achmuty the conqueror of Java is a native of the city of New York.

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