Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-06-24
ER0M THE NORFOLK LEDGi als
COMMODORE BARRoNs DEFENCE.
[coacIuDEn.l
IcoNcLuDEDl

On the gun decka rePcaleu insA A Ssu. :.
applications had been made tor these arti-
cirs. Immediately after the order 10 sur
render some we're seceised. What how
eses vas the ex.ens Of the supply 10 ne
3 Sd dis 500, several powdrr-horos had been
received. Such was the coDfusicn q ne
g.-ct 10 the gu0ner's department, that o.
these DOLLY one contained powder; and mat
wac but paf,ly filsd-pes match Was
pyimrd, or secured in the linstoeks, not q
loggernead sufficiently heated 10 discharge
gun; not cartridge had been appilsd
for, or issued from the magszsne. ! ne
Other divisions were iD similar situation.
Possibly, In the course OF some mloutcsA
BY sush means as had been used by nsus.
Allen, some of the guns, loaded before
we sailed, might have been discharged -
3 Al the Witnesses &C nit, that there were 20
means Of rslodding ADD continuing me Pre- e.
Il the effect 10 b. expected from SUCH q
par,iald.seharge ca had knoWn even shas
degrees Of preparatory sufficient to jossii.y
you, 10 say ng, that the surrender was 10.
reeessary!
Eas, sirs, if you will go beyond che mo.
meus Of surrender, In order 10 ascertain
the probability of the ships being sooa 70
silua,ioa 20 repei the attack, you will
certainly view the probabilities 90 boIh
sides you will attend TO shosc c'reun-
s,ances which renderrd II improbable; as
well as those Of contrary tendency. II
you do this. there is one consideration a.
lone, which 10 you, WAC are acquainted
s with the Effects Of discipline, will De decl.
s sive. Ii is almost impossible, even with
the brassst aud best disciplined crew, TO
bring your nlsnt TO qaarters, nnder the IRE
even of an interior enemy. Gao then be
believed, thar crew unaccusiomcd 10 du-
~; ignorart many of them OF their STA
lions never exercised at their gals; GO
60 all the d;spirising effects resulting fram.
conscious want of skill had superadasd he
knowledge ofagreat infefiority AZ tie con,.
mencemrnt OF the attack, ADD OF much IN
jury during the FIRE a crew many OF whom
are represented 20 have been, at the mo-
smcns OF the surrender. dishear;ened aod
depressed --can i, be believed, say, thai
auch crew, under such rircums'ances,
could have furnished hope either Of re-
sissance or conquest! And if they had
furnished hope Of either. did The state
Of The guns add magazine, as no~ detailed
to YOU, promise 10 realize il ! If you pass
your views, beyond the moment Of the
surrender, these considerations prese0t
themselves and disproye the assertion,
tha. any thing could have bcer gained, by
possponing the surrender.
That my flag was struek, without con-
sulsasion, is true. knew 20 rule, which
Imposes on commander the obligation of
consulting ais inferior officers on such oc
casions. The best officers have certainly
done so, ca many occasions. More 10.
ssances have. occurred ia which .his uea.
sure has been resor,ed to, to shelter az of
user from responsibility. There are how.
ever occasions, in which j. would be crimi.
nal to do it. This was one. VIVA. delibe.
ration of decision could have been expect.
ed, under such circumstances If had
drawn off my officers from their duty 10
ccnsult them 90 this subject, I should have
merised punishment. for employing indie
consultation, those precious moments,
which should have been wholly devoted 10
active exersion for expsdlting our prepare.
tons and / have 90 doubt, if had pur-
sued shas course, thae should this day
have todefend myself Tor doing that, shich
j, i. imputed 70 me as crime, MOTTO have
dope. deemed il my duty DOT to draw
them from their divisions, for SO idle a
purpose but leaving them 70 employ all
their exertisns for the grea. purpose ofte-
sistsnce, to suspend the surrender till all
hope had aed.
have said nothing, sir, on the law ap ].