Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-20

16.-The court is ct opinion, that the c!r-
cumstanccs above stated were in them
selves so suspicious, as co have iurnIshcd
sufficient warning to 4 prudent, discreet
and attentive othCer, of the probable de-
signs of a ship of war conducted i'll that way,
and ought to nave induced commodore Bar
ron 90 have prepared his snip for action,
especially with the Information he possess
ed of the situation OF his crew generally, of
those who had been demanded by the Bril-
fish government particularly, and OF the
general state Of the ship ut that time.
17.-It appears to thc court, that COM
moIore Barron nevertheless did not order
his ship TO Ae cleared for action, and that
he d,! not call his men 20 quarters.
1C.--It appears 70 the court that VIXEN
the Leopard came along side ct the Che
sareakc, an officer was sent from her, with
g communication from capt. HUMPHREYS,
tie captain of t,,e Leopard, TO commodore
Barron, which the latter could NOT aud did
not ,n,suudcrstand, bat very correctly con-
Guided to be n demand with which hc ought
not and could not comply, and one which,
If refused, would be enforced If possible.
19-It appears to the court, that altiio'
such was the situation and impression OF
commodore Barron at this time, yet that he
did not still order his ship 10 be prepared
for action, although ample time was allow
Ell for that purpose, the British otlcer be-
jag detained on board the Chesapease from
80 10 - minutes.
2o.-Tne court is Of opinion, that the ne
elect Of commodore Barron to prepare his
shiD for ac-ipn ualer such circumstances,
Is adirect hrc ach of rhe fourth article or the
rules end regulations for the government of
tue navy OF the United States, adopted by
an act Of the congress o. the United States,
passed on the 23l day OF April, 1900. en-
tiucd (" An act t,r the better government
of Ike navy Of the United States"
21.--It appears a. the court, tlat art er
the British Officer LETT the chesapeake,
bearing positive refusal from commodore
Bar~unt 20 tho demand winch hal beeu made
BY capt Humqhrica, and after commodore
i IRON was himself satisfied that an attack
upon ms ship would ne made he did not
take PROMPT, necessary and ehicient means
60 pvvpare his ship Tor b .ttls.-Lhat his
first order was merely to clear his gun deck
and thc second given after the lapse OF
time, WAS 70 get his men to quarters ceCret-
", without beat of drum; although with
surh crew as he hid on board, and in
1uch situation as the snip then was, -
was not TO be expected that such orders
could Be ei',ctuai'y accomplished
% 1t appears to the court, that the
conduct of commodore Barron during the az
decision, and disposition to negotiate, "a
ther than a determination bravery 70 de-
fend his ship. That he repeatedly ha'ied
the Leopard during her attack upon nm
Tia. nc drew his men from their guns
u lowering down boats, 20 send On board Of
the attacking snip--an6 tnat be ordered has
frs <,cutenant froA MS qurters dur ng
the arrGck. 20 carry a mess lse on BOARD ~
the Leopard, at that time firing uron hin.
% 1T appears to the court, mat during
the mttacE, CONN Ndote Baron used lar
.-uage IN the presence OF his men calculated
t. disprjt his crew, by ordering them q
keep Down, that they would all DC cut &c
pieces.
q. 1t appears TO the court, that com
rnoaors barron ordered the culors OF the
Chesaccake to be struck, and that they
were struck, be.ore = single gun OF nnI
KIND WAS fired from her; aud that a
tae time they were SO struck, her mali
drck batter'' was ~. - s.tuat,on WHICH wo"lt
have caahicd he return ota bro1d,de IN
very short time.
Is -Tre court - therefore of opinion
tha, the Chesapeake was prcmatuTeiy sur
rendered, &c = time whe" sne was nearl
prepared for battle, ard when che iniuvie
sustained either on the ship or crew d,
not m Ike au.h surrender then neCes' arv
and th4s sor rhiS commodore Barron raj!
under q parr { the Oh article o5 the rule
and rcgc. .,ipns for the government OF tn
navy fihp Un;tel States, adopted by an &C
of the Cong S. Of the Uplted States pas
sed Oh the sd day Of April 1900, enutle
can cot Sor the better ,governmsnt Of Oh
navy Of he u. States.
96-THe corrt is % opinion, that althoug
the conduct Of commodore Barron, befor
and during the attacl. Of the Leopard, G
WINGED great inattchtion 90 his duty an
wan. of decision, yet that during that al
tack he exposed his ? rson, and did M
manifest either by h,s orders or actions {
nv personal fear OF want of courage.
I7.--I appears 20 the court, that "a
Though the Chssa peake might and ought
have been better defended than she wa
vet that she was not in a situation at sh
time OF the attack made upon her, to iaV
enabled 50 gall nj defence being made :
might J. c expected. Some other guns wcI
no securely ft,ed in Jheir carriages, som
of her spur yes and wards we're too larg
but few Of her powder horns we're hliet
her matches were not primed, some Of ~,
hammers were not in their proper place
her marines were neither Supplied with
nough Cartr dyes, or were those which tn
had ofthc proper ize. None Of these CT
cuinstsncss however, could have Influenced
Commodore Barron in striking his color
because they were moi known to him AZ q