Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-09


Copy of,a letter from rear admiral SAWYER
commander in chief of his majesty's ships
and vessels on the coast of North Ameri-
ca, to John Wilson Croker, Esq. dated on
board the Africa, at Bermuda, the 18th June,
1871.
SIB,
Enclosed / transmit to you for the infor-
nation of the lords commissioners of the adj
miralty, a copy of letter from captain Ar
thur Bait Bingham, commander of his ma
iesty's sloop Little Belt, received this day
from lord James Townshend, captain of his
majesty IS ship Eolus, and senior officerat Hal
fax; by whchtheir lordships viii perceive he
was attacked on the evening of the 10th May
last, when cruising between Cape Henry and
Cape Hatteras, by the United States frigate
President, OF A guns, commanded by Com
modore Rodgers; and that after a close &C
tiopem three quarters of an hour, the Amer
Oh ship made sail from him.
HCaF. Bingham's modest, but fulland clear
$bte4ent, renders any comment from me
UNNECESSARY fand have only to admire the
extraordlpSS bravery and hrmness with
whici-himself, his officers and ships compa-
ny supported the honor of the British flag
when opposed to such an immense superior
ty Of force. | have however, deeply to la
nent the number of valuable British seamen
and royal marines who have been either Kill
led or wounded on this unexpected occasion !;
list ofwhose names is also inclosed, togeth-
er with a copy of my ords :. under which
captain Bingham was cruising.
have the honor to be, &c.
II. SAWYER, Rear Admiral.
There follows captain Bmgham's letter to
admiral Sawyer, which is verbatim, the same
as published in the Argus, of the 1st, July
| last.]
Capt. Bingham's despatch relative to the
acApn between the Little Belt, and the Pre-
Sidewalks appears in the Gazette of last
night. 1t confirms and justihes all that we
have said and observed upon this subject.
| The aggression Of the American commodore
was as outrageous as it was dastardly /; but the
British public will be rejoiced to find, that
| notwithstanding the almost uuexampled dispa-
| rity of force engaged, the honor OF the British
| flag was on this occasion supported with bra
very and firmness that enabled little sloop
of eighteen guns successfully 20 resist man
| Of war of "A guns I'VE have now the word
| of }ssnor of capt. Bingham, that the firing
Ms commenced by Rodgers and who will
it the veracity of an American captain in
LIN ntiton with that of an honorable British
Nndasd, fr& all the circumstances of the
case, ths-L6stile determination of Rodgers is
rendered most manifest, afR due satisfaction
! will of course be deUanded3in a16anher be-
coming the honor and character ofthe British
Hatioa., We anxiously hope that peace may
BE maintained between the two countries, be-
cau<< 1--WE feel that relations Of amity are the
T9ntFtst o. both but question which con-
| ArtA tl<D honor of the nation in its tender
est psPt, the honor ofthe British flag (howe-
yer we may have borne injuries Of differ
eut description can submit to no insult
| Captain Bingham's modest, but clear and
fail statement Of the affair" is, in our
contemplation Of the subject, completely de-
cisive OF the question Of aggression. He pos
itivcly denies having fred first; on the cor
traTy, he used the utmost caution in this res
peSt =" nor is it probable Che forcibly Oh
Sd ~ - that n sloop of war, within pistol shot
lofs large "a gun ship, should commence hos
T6fiyics." We therefore again repeat, that
under all the circumstances Cf the case, no.
thing short Of the most ample reparation Tor
the injury actually done, and the most prompt
disavowal on the part Of the American go
vcrrment of the aggression of commodore
Rodgers, can satisfy the inSultcd honor OF
the British flag, or atone for the loss of the
British subjects who fell or we're wounded
IofNrffe occasiOn-Our loss was 81 men killed
and wounded; and VIC regret to find, that
most Of the wounds were considered mortal
July 10.
The king,--We stated in cur last, that hii
majesty had experienced severe access O