The National Register. — London, England, 1811-07-21 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER eur twig, ConOrution, anb N° IS6. SUNDAY, JULY el, 1817. POLITICAL DISQUISITION. No. 172. CAPT. BINGHAM AND COMMODORE RODGERS. Captain BINGHAM'S Official Dispatch, published in the Gazette last week, has clearly proved the propriety of his conduct, and the wanton aggression of the American Commodore. We now find that - every thing on our part was conducted peaceably, until the American, without the least provocation, fired, not a gun, but a whole broadside, which was . then most spiritedly returned. So far from even betraying the least hostile intention, Captain BING . HAM, who had been chaced for several hours, no sooner found that he could no longer avoid his pur suer, and perceived by her flag to what nation she belonged, than he brought to and hoisted his co lours, that no Mistake might arise, at the same time taking every precaution• to guard against surprise. Now, since it wa:; light enough for our Officer to distinguish even the stars.in the Commodore's blue pendant, are we to suppose that every man on board the' President was struck with sudden blindness, so as not to see our flag when purposely hoisted to be known ? Or rather, are we not justified in believing, that Commodore RODGERS has been guilty of a wil ful falsehood, which he has vainly attempted to support by misrepresenting the hour at which this occurrence took place, which he states at g , twenty minutes past seven," and Captain EiNcill.eer at " half past six." The difference of an hour is most material, as had not Commodore RODGERS had recourse to this misrepresentation, it is evident his account would have wanted common probability with the Americans themselves, and as the misre presentation is proved, why should it have been committed, had it not been to give the appearance of truth to real falsehood. We are next informed, that no sooner did the American come within gur shot, than he endeavoured to lay his ship in a posi tion for raking," thus, in fact, giving a signal mark of an hostile intention on his part before the least communication had passed between the two vessels, and, therefore, before the alleged offence had been perpetrated. This, however, was frustrated by the skill of cur Commander, who fortunately was not so blind as his antagonist now wishes to appear, and then wished him to he. Defeated in his p 1 Vo!. IV. CLXXXVI. PRICE 9d. resolved on bringing us to action, Commodore RODGERS did not hail, but was hailed N I us, when he repeated our inquiry : " What ship is that. ?" which being renewed on our part, brought down a whole broadside from him. The action which he thus commenced immediately became general, and.con tinued for three quarters of an hour, when he ceased firing. Our own was then discontinued, because the ship falling off, no gun would ; and she had no after sail to keep her to, otherwise it is pos sible that notwithstanding his immense su2eriority of force, this American hero, who was fairly beaten off, might have been severely taught more respect for the British flag. When the next day he sent an Of ficer on board the Little Belt to say, that 64 had he known our force was so inferior, he should not have fired." Captain BINGHAM was so fully conscious that the American had been the sole and unpro voked aggressor, that, before his whole crew, who had it been otherwise, must have known their Com mander was guilty of an attempt at deception, he asked Commodore RODGERS'S reason for having fire,d at all ; and was surprised to find that he was - charged with having fired the first gun, which he .solemnly declares, " teas positirc&, not the case." By the manner in which be ?pol,gised, continues Captain BINGHAM, 64 it appeared to me evident - , that had he fallen in with a British frigate he would certainly have- brought her to action ; and what further confirms me in that opinion is, that his guns wete not only loaded with round and grape shot, but with every scrap of iron that could poss i bly be collected." Of Commodore RODGERS'S intention to bring even a British frigate to action, we do not entertain the least doubt, and think our Readers will be as fully convinced as we are, by the following extract from the American Papers, vi hich shows that such an event was expected throughout almost every part of the United States : BLOODY NEWS EXPECTED. ▪ • 5r...4 .1. *. • • ) -*hp- DOSTON,MAY `2s.—Varirms curruborant accounts now indoise a belEf that the YaesIDENT of th.t United States has ordered Corn. RoDCERS, in the Presid.:nt of 44 suns, to search ;:ft....r, and to dcmand of Capt. PZCHEI t. , of the 13rit6h frig Ate Gucr riere, of 23 guns, the restoration of tl.e American seamen which have been recently impressed on board that ship, and in the eveLt of refusal to use . force La obtain theta. The report on this subject has heretofore been discredited, on the ground tl.at an order of the kind would be tantatnoutt!. to an act cf War, and as Congress lone are authorized by the Constitntion to decla re and maS 1 that the PRESIDENT would not take upon hinisolithe high