Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-06-27
NORFOLK. limo o.


the perpetratiCn Of which the blood OF our
couutrymen has been shed by the hand ofvi-
otcnce, and the honor and independence of
our nation insulted beyond the possibility
of further forbearance
Az a. very early hour Yesterday morning
report reached this place, which produ-
ced a degree OF agitation beyond any thing
we ever witnessed or can attempt to des-
cribe. 1t was reported that on the prece-
ding evening the Chesapeake Frigate,
which had gone to sea that morning, had
been attacked by the British ship Leopard,
Captain humphreys, of 80 guns, and that
the Chesareakchads struck her cOlnrs All
though the source from whence this 'nfor-
nation was derived was net such as to de-
serve the highest consideration, yet it WAS
stated in that way, and attended with such
circumstances, as let but little hope that it
was rot true. Accordingly every vessel or
boat from the CapeS was boarded with great
anxiety, and which was not relieved until
about O'Clock, when pointed information
was received that the Chesapeake was re-
turning to Hampton Roads, without shew-
ing any coiors About O'Clock all doubt
was relieved, by spectacle which was
calculated, and did not fail, to rouse the
indignation of every American present, and
we trust that it will NeUeT suGsitc until am
pie satisfaction has been made--clcven of
our wounded fcllow-citizens arrived in
boat dispatched from the Chesapeake, and
now we learned the following particulars,
which we believe are correct.
The Chesapeake Frigate, Captain Cor
don, under Commodore James Barron, got
under way on Monday noruing, and pro-
ceedcd TO sea, passing the CapeS about -
o'clock-At o'clock the Leopard by sig
nal from the Commodore's ship had got UNI
der way and stood out to sea. About 5
o'clock the Chesapeake and Leopard APP
preached, when the customary signal Of
firing gun 10 teeward, the signal for friends
was made from both ships. Being about 5
leagues from the land, the ships came with
III hail, when the commander of the Leo
pard hailed, and hoped Commodore Barron
was well, and informed that he had dis
patches for the Commodore. The ships
hove TO and boat came on board the Ches-
apeake, with letter from Captain Hum
phricS. In this letter was a COPY of one
from Admiral Berkeley at Halifax, to all the
British commanders on this station, in
which they were ordered to demand from
the commander OF the Chesapeake four
British seamen named in the letter, and
that if they were not delivered by fair
means, to use force. Captain Humphries
stated in his letter that as Commodore
Barron would perceive that his orders were
peremptoTy, he hoped that he would not
c5lige him 20 execute them by force. Com
modore Barron returned an answer to the
letter, in which he stated that the orders
Ofhis government forbid him to permit his
vessc. TO be searched, or TO deliver a man
from her. The boat from the Leopard had
no sooner returned OH beard, than q gun
was fired a-head and a-steru of the Chesa-
peake, and instantly followed b. broad
side from the Leopard, accompanied by
swivels and small arms. Six other broad
sides followed, the two ships then within
pistol shot.--On board the Chesapeake all
was astonIshed, the Snip was unprepared
for action, no man at his quarters, and some
of the officers at dinner. In this situation
Commodore Barron hailed the Leopard re-
peatedly without effect lie then ordered
the colors to be struck as this was doing,
gun from The Chesapeake was fired, up
on which the Leopard fired another broad-
side. The coIorS being now down. an off,
Ger was dispatched tothe Chesapeake, who
OIL coming on board expressed some regret
OH behalf of his commander for what had
happened He was received with great
indignation by the American officers, who
rendered their swords, which ne refused,
saying that he wanted the four men and
nothing more, and demanded the muster
Toll; NAtCn Was produced DIV the IurscI.
and then was exhibited the degrading spec
tacle OF nearly four hundred Americans
mustered on the deck Of AN American Mar
of War, by order of a British lieutenant
and four of the crew taken away The
lieutenant said he was desired 20 make Com
medore Barron an offer of any services in
the power of his commander Ii would be
needless to say in what manner such an Of
fer was received, it was considered as an
aggTavatioh of the outrage which had been
perpetrated. The British officer refusing
to consider the Chesapeake as prize; de-
parted, informing Commodore Barron that
he was at liberty to proceed whittier he
pleased. The Commodore returned to
Hampton Roads, as before stated. We
are sorry to add To this account that three
of the crew were killed, and sixteen IySun.
ded, some Of them dangerously Commo-
dore Barron was slightly wounded in the
leg, and one MidshIpman. The ship is
greatly injured IN her hull, masts and rig
ging, and must be repaired before size can
SO to sea. Such are the details OF this af-
fair, which we believe are substantially
correct, being mostly furnished by a gen.
tleman who was OH board the Chesapeake
last evening.
Ii IS impossible that on such an occasion,
there can be but one sentiment in the heart
OF every American. The independence oi
our country has been attacked, and IN de.
Tending it our fellow citizens have been
Killed Submission tn tbe dernarJ nod. ,..