The National Register.
London, England, 1817-06-09 00:00:00

COURT MARTIAL.

Lord CasOerengli lately stated in the Commons, in t NAY
to Mr. Brougham, that the sub.jeet to which the folloo
Conrt Martini relates, was in course of explAnation am.] dis-
cussion with the Spanish Gover 1111 l ent : the specie seized by
the Spaniards on the sturrettelt r of the Tay, amounted to eight
hittiMeil thousand dottais.

A Court Martial war; held on board his Majesty's ship Salisbury,
at Port Royal, on the 41st of February, and continued, by adjourn-
ment (Sundays excepted) during eighteen days, to investigate the
condurt of Captain Samuel Roberts. C. 11. and the Officers laid crew
of his Majesty's slap Tay, fur the loss of that ship, oft' the eastern
reef of the Alscranes Isles (in the Gulf of Mexico), on the miming
of the I tab of November, ItilS„ and of several of the MTV, for their
cunsequent ill conduct; and for striking his Majesty's flag, which
had beat flying on board the wreck, and the surrendering them-
. salves prisoners of war to the Commander of the Spanish corvette
Valency; and to tray tl:cm fur the same accordiagly: And the Court
having heard all the evidence, as well as what the prisoners alleged
in thew definer. and very maturely and deliberately weighed and
considered the whole, pi-ma-rum:vela—
" This Court is of opinion, that the loss of hie Britannic Majesty's
late ship Tay was owing to a strong westerly current, that could not
be aceauntea fu; and that every possible precaution appears to have
been taken by Captain Roberts, for the safe conducting of his Majes-
s) 's late ship Tay; and, further, that every exertion was used by
the Officers in general, but particularly by Acting-Lieutenant Win.
Henry Gearey, whos.: prompt and officer-like conduct, as uffieer of
the watch, when the breakers were first discovered, entitles li
the approbation of the Court. The Court is therefore of opimon,
that no blame whatever rail be attached to Captain Roberts, his 1)111
cars and crew, for the loss of his fajesty's said ship Tay, and they
a. c hereby a.ajuitted of all Mme accordingly.
" Lastly. the Court. taking into its consideration every circum-
stance connected with the fact of Captain Robe' ts's striking his Ma-
jesty's flag. and surrendering himself, his Officers, and crew, a;
• prisoner, of war, to the Conmiander of the Spanish corvette Valency,
' and cried schooner Saragozanm is of opinion, that, in consequence
.of the petaliar situation of the ship, her guns being entirely' uselts,
her magazine drowned, the greater part of her crew on shore un-
armed, on the island, 11 miles from the wrack. and- the treacherous
conduct of the Spaniards, in inveigling on board and taking 1XP6308-
of :he boats and their crews, all and every means of defence wits
tendered impraetica'ole; that in this distressed and helpless situation
"the conduct of the Spaniards beanie su tieaidedly. hcsule and insult-
ing, that no other alternative was left fin- preserving the dignity of
his Mra:aaty's flag, but that of striking it. which was accordingly
done with the concarrenec of every Officer present; and the Court
doth fully approve of Captain Roberts's conduct, and tkat of his
Offieers, upon this trying oarasion, and doth, therefore, acquit him,
tie Officers, and crew, of all blame: and they are hereby acquitted
aecordingly." -
- - -

Captain John Markeller (second in command "It Jamaica 1,
.pres:dent; Captains P. C irteret, J. H. sit, U. 0. Lennoil,
Houston Stewdrt, members. The President, at the dose,
addressed Captain Rol). is, sayinz,

I very much regret that you have been deprived of your sword
through the inf..mous conduct of Captain Varines, commanding the
Spard,;ll corvette Valencey, as it would have given are real pleasure
to present it to you, at thus moment : hut I trust your country will
soon call upon for your sergitp: t and that you will have an oppw-
tunity of wearing it with that distiazuishetl honour you have !whir-
to done."

On the departure of Captain Roberts for England, the mer-
chants of liiinzoon (Jamaica) presented an address to hint,
expressive of the high eespeet they entertained of his rharae•
ter; their indignation nt the dastardly conduct (tithe Officer
eqiuminding the Spanish ve+sel stilt to his assistance; their
alliiiiation of the judgment Captain Roberts displayed on
that trying occasion ; and their deep regret that the station
had been deprived of his vithable services.

--~ -