The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-06-07

1 he COurt, pursuant 20 IN order from the
Hon. Robert Smith, Secretary OF the Navy
Of the United States, to captain John Rodg
ers directed, bearing date on the seventh day
OF December, in the year Of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred aud seven, proceed
ed Gas therein they are directed) to try
John Hall, Esq. Captain in, the. Marine
Corps of the United States upon the charge
t' for negigently performing the duty as
signed him, which is stated in the said
warrant and therein preferred against
him: and having heard all the evidence, and
very mature,y and thoroughly considered the
same, the prisoner declining TO offer any de-
fence, gave the following OPINION:
The charges stated in the warrant of the
hon: the Secretary of the Navy against the
said John Hill, is in these words:
g For negliSentiy performing the duty as
signed hini."
SFEcI7IcA4ToY."
1st. " III that he did not take care TO have
the marines on board the said fricatc sup
plied with enough cartridges.
Cd. " in that he did not take care to have
such cartridges, as the marines had, of the
proper size"
Sd. In that notwithstanding certain in
dicatiUns Of hostile intention, exhibited to-
wards the said frigate Chesapeake by the
sad ship Leopard he, did not report to his
dition of the marines on board the said fri
gate Chesapeake, their arms and supplies
Of ammunition"
4th. = IN that he rever did make his com
manding officer on board the said frigate
true and faithful report OF the exact
state and condition, or the marines on board
the said frigatc, their arms and supplies OF
ammunition
In deciding upon this charge the court will
make the following statements:
1c:, x :!rT=2:S to sy So;I;e, ;iiia,t t,,i5 said
John Hill did not take care TO have the ma
rines on board the said frgatc supplied with
enough cartiidges--It is unnecessary for
the court to decide which is the particular
duty of the officer commanding detaCh-
ment OF marines, on board OF Il vessel OF the
| United States in this respect, as appears to
. the court chat there was n great efficiency
Of cartridges on board Tic id friglte shat
/ this deficiency was reported to TIE said John
Kill, by his sergeant; and it does not appear
to the court that he took any measures what
ever to procure Il better supply.--Whate-
vcr may be the duties Of an officer Conman-
ding marines on board vessel of the Uni
ted states in other respects, ii certainly is
the duty Of every officer OH board such YES
sci, when deficiencies arc regularly reported
/ 80 him, 10 report Immediately the iu4Orma
! ton he has so received to the commanders
or some superior officer TO hinscl on BE-. rd
a1ch Sesso! TnIs does not appear to the
court to have been done b. toe sad John iIall
! The coart arc therefore ct opinion, that this
/ specification is fuzzy proved
| %. 1t appears to thc cOu that the cart.
| rides which the marines OH hsard the said
! frigatc had, although they did not exactly
and tightly Fit tie calibre NJ their mHskcts
were netcrthsiess, Of god and proper
| size The court are therefore of opinion
I that this second specification is not fully pro
we'd.
! Sc. and 4th. Z appears to the court, thai
TIC said John Hall dill make to his c1nman
! ding oidccr on board the said fiigate true
aud faithful report, daily, Of the state anC
condition OF tie maribcs On board the sal,
} .:igatg; Lu. ncNcg did 81 any time, reEor