The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-12-04
From ne National InfeiHgenser.
AFFAIR OF TIE LITTLE BELT.

The /olswing is Me -dadress Of Commodore
EoDcERs 10 me Conrs Of Inquiry held az
Ncw- York:
Mr.. President,
and Gentlemen Of the Court,
AVAIL myself of the present moment to
express my thanks for the pa.ient inyesiiga-
tion Of the merits OF the transaction which
caused its convention and feel perfectly
convinced that the evidence adduced is amply
sufficient to ensure that my conduct in tins
affur will meet the appreciation Of every un-
preiudiced mind, as well for It's general tenour,
as for the leniiy shewn to an assumed enemy,
whom / had it in my power to destroy Iy
single broadside more, and that 100 without
any risk of injuring the ship under my COM
mand.
Many Of the interroga,ories put by myself
to the Witnesses may have appeared to the
court supe rfluous, fear bat when il consi-
ders the odious features Of the statement
which has been exhibited in the newspapers,
said to be capt. BIngham's official statement
to Admiral Sawyer, DATED, his majesty's soop
Little Belt, May 2l, 1911, lat. IS, SIS, long.
II, 40, w. Cape Cbares bearing Suest, distant
4s niles,) am sure it csnnot complain OF
the time have taken up in proving, (whie
I had it in my powel) that unbiushing repre-
sentation to be palpably and wiliully false
should not now longer trespasss ON the
time and patience of the courts was 1t not pro-
bablc that the present proceedings may be
published 10 the world, and consequent de-
sire that even my motive for chasing the Lat
tie Belt should be known. And this 1 am tie
more desirous of, as great pains have been
taken by few individuals, who call them
selves Americans, to impose belief that
chased with hostile intention, not however
because entertain hope OF producing any
change in sentiments of men like themselves,
(and tor the honour of my country | hope
there are but few such,) who are disposed to
represent all tho acts OF their government, as
well as OF its agents, in an odious hight; but
10 undcceiye not only my own countiymen,
but even every liberal Engiishman, who may
have been deceived by their sophislry.
That die chase the Little Bell, acknowl-
cge; but ti,at | did SO with the intention OF
Offering menace or insult To the British flag,
I declare, in The presence of my God, is with
out any foundation whatever; neither would
the orders under which was acting author
ise such course, any more than they would
have justified my submitting to an insult from
a British, or any other ship of war.
Without further observations or comment
than is necessarily connected with the subject,
the following are therefore my reasons Tor
chasing tba, ship :---On the 10th OF May, be-
ing then at anchor of Annapolis, got under
way 10 proceed 10 my station at NewVork, in
consequence of an order from the honourable
the Secretary of the Navy TO that effect in
which be acquainted me Of his having issued
this order owing TO his being informed that
the trade OF New-York had become interrupt
ed by British and French cru;zers. At this
iue discovered by the newspapers, that
British frigate, supposed to be Guerricr, had
in the vicinity Of Sandy Hook, and during my
absence from the station, impressed out OF
the American brig Spithre, bound coastwisc,
young man by the name Of Diggie, an A.
mcrcan, and apprentice TO the master OF the
biig--on the 10th of May, at little past me-
ridian, being at that time in seventeen faith
oms water, about fourteen or fifteen leagues
to the northward and eastward OF Cape Hen
~, anG about SIX leagues from the land TO the
southward Of Chingotcak, sail was discover
ed to the eastward standing towards us under
a press of canvas, which | soon made out by
the share of her upper sail, as they became
distinguishablc from our deck, to be man of
war. Not ha,ing heard of any other ship of
war, than the aforementioned irigate being
On our coast, concluded (and more particu-
larly from the direction in which she was dis
covered) that it was her; and accordingly de-
tcrmincd TO speak her, as well because con-
sidered it my duty TO know the names and
characters, Il possible, Of all foreign cruzers
lowering on our coast, as from an impression
if it turned out to be the vessel had conceiv-
ed, that her commander, from having learnt
through the medium Of the newspapers, the
sensations which the aforementioned out
rage had produced throughout the U. States,
might be induced, if ne was not totally regard
. less oil American claims to justice, to men,
ton that he had the young man in question
on board, and would deliver him up to me,
and perhaps at the same time assign some
e.. S.,.h s,inI.t;x,sa e