The National Register.
London, England, 1811-11-03 00:00:00

TRIAL OF COMMODORE RODGERS•

• [FROM THE. COLUMBIAN.]
Court. of !Novißv.—The Court of Inquiry on the conduct
of Commodore Rodgers, in the action between the President
and Little Belt, has now closed the testimony in the case.
'l'his Court consists of—
Commodore STEPHEN DrCA•rui, President.
Captain CHARLES STEWART,
Captain ISAAC CHAUNCEY—and
Wm. Pito t.ni NG, Jun. Esq. Mudge Advocate.
Of the evidence furnished to this Court, on the oaths of the
several witnesses examined, we present a brief outline, in the
order it was adduced, and leave the Public, in a case where
doubt is impossible and conviction irreiristible. to make its own
comments.—Whenever the proper. leave is obtained, the proceed-
ing, in their official shape and extent, 'shall be giverr to our
Readers.
The first witness examined was.
Charles Ludlow, Master Commandant and acting Captain of
the President.—He was on board the ship at the time of the ac-
tion with the Little Belt, on the night of the 16th of May last.
The Little Belt had her topsails aback. From his position, he
was uncertain which fired the first sun ; but the second was front

REGISTER.

President, and was instantly followed by three caution an i
Ausketry from the Belt. Com. Rodgers ordered to tire low and
with two round shot. After a short pause, the Belt recom-
menced firing, as did the President. The Belt soon appeared
ungovernable, and lay bow on towatds the President, when
Commodore R. observed that some accident must have happened
to her, and eased firing. tier gaff was down, and her main-
top- sail-yard on the cap, and mizen too, he thinks. The action
continued fourteen or fifteen minutes, inchiding the interval.
There was nothing but round and grape shot fired, or on deck,
on board the President. The ship was not on fire, or any part
of her, and did not sheer off after the action. Another broad,
side would probably have sunk the Little Belt. Did not-know
or believe any part of the Commodore's official account was ut:-.

true or incorrect.
John Orde Creighton, First Lieutenant.—Was stationed at the
4th division of guns, on the upper deck. Commodore Rodgers
hailed first, then a second time, when a shot was fired, as he be-
lieves, from the Little Belt, no gun having been fired or provo-
cation given on board the President. The orders of Commodore
It. were to keep the guns ar half cock, and guard against acci-
dents. After receiving the Little Belt's broadside, was ordered
to fire. The Belt was silenced in five minutes, and the Presi-
dent ceased. The Belt renewed the fire and Commodore It.
returned it, and silenced the Belt again in rive minutes. Boarded
the Little Belt the next morning : Commodore R. sent a friendly
message, expressiog reiret for the occurrence, and offers of assist-
ance. Captain Bingham said he took the President for a French-
man. President was not on fire, and did not sheet off. Nothing
but round and grape was fired or on deck. Another broadside
would probably have sunk the Belt. Commodore's account con-
firmed.
Henry Caldwell, Commandant of Marines.--Heard the hail-
ing •, was looking at the Little Belt, and saw the first shot s pro-
ceed from bet, on which Commodore Rodgers said, " Wat i
that ?" and he answered, " She has fired into us." Orders were
then given to fire. Belt silenced in five minutes. Commodore
R. was anxious to stop his fire, and did so. The Belt renewed
the action, and in six or seven minutes was silenced again, when
Commodore R. was anxious to prevent mischief, and stopt his
fire. No fire or sheering off. Commodore's account con-
firmed.
Raymond H. Y. Perry, Jun. Lieutenant and Signal, Officer.—
Was oa the quarter-deck, near Cetn. Rodgers's elbow. The
Commodore hailed, got no re ply—hailed a second time, and get
none. Heard a gun, and was looking at the Belt ; which fired
it, previous to any gun or provocation from the President. The
Belt was silenced in five minutes, and orders were sent to every
division of guns on board the President to cease. The Belt
newed the fire, and the President also. In six minutes the Belt
was silenced again, and the Commodore was very anxious to
stop the firing on board the President. No fire or sheering off.
The Belt was in a very dangerous situation, and would probate!),
have been sunk by another broadside.—Heard hailing from the
Belt, and understood they said that their colours were
down, and so reported. Commodore Rodgers hailed, " Have
you struck your colours ?" and was answered, " I have, and am
in great distress." Lights were on board the President during
the night. Commodore Rodgers's statement confirmed.
Andrew L. B. Madison, Lieutenant of Marines.—Was on the
gangway. Heard the Commodore hail first, then wait fifteen or
eighteen seconds, time enough for a reply, but got none, and
hailed again; when the Belt fired a gun from her gangway.
Saw the flash and heard the report; no gun or provocation heel
been offered by Commodore Rodgers. In six seconds a gun was
fired from the President, when instantly the Belt fired three
gulls, and then her broadside and musketry. Belt silenced in
six or seven minutes. Firing stopt in the President. In two or
three minutes Belt renewed the action, and in four or five mi-
nutes was again silenced, when Commodore Rodgers ordered his
fire to cease,' and appeared anxious to prevent damage. No
fire or sheering off of the President. Commodore'. report
confirmed.
Capt. Caldwell confirmed the account of the first:and second
guns and broadside, as given by the other witnesses.
acob Mull, Sailing-master.—Was on the quarter-deck. CoM..
modore Rodgers hailed, and got no answer but " halloo." After
sufficient time hailed again, and got no reply, hut a shot, with-
out provocation. In three or four seconds returned the shot,
and got a general fire from the Little Belt. Thought the Belt,
a heavy frigate, until next day. Action continued fourteen or
fifteen minutes, including three or four minutes interval. Little
Belt could have fired again, but President could have sunk her.
Commedore's official account is true.
Licut. Creighton thought the Little Belt a frigate (excepting
her feeble defence) untii next day. Capt. Uingham told him the
President's colours were not hoisted, but he recollected the
pendant.—lt is the usage, as before stated by another witness,
ter the President to be prepared for action on coming alongside ass
armed vessel. Thought the Little Belt displayed bad manage-
mein or want of conduct in her defence.