The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-11-15


ancc or your orders to join his Ma;esty's
| ship Guerrero, and being on my return from
the Northward, not having fallen in with
her that ut about III A. III, May 10th, saw
a strange sail, to which immediately gave
chace. At ! p. M. discovered her to be a
man OF war, apparently frigaSe standing
| 70 the Eastward, who, when he made us cut
eG. scd away for US and set hisroy als-matle
the signal, and finding it not answered, con-
cluded she was iii American irigate, he
had Cominoaorc's blae pendant flying at
the main--hosted the coiors and made all
sail South, the course l intended steering
round Cape Hatteras-thc stranger eGeing
away, but not riasling any mere sail. At s.
SO, he made sail iii chaCe, when made the
private signal, which was not answered. At
ESQ, hnt.ing he gained SO considerably onns,
as not to DC able to clude him during the
night, being witinn gun shot, and Clearly dis
Corning the stars III h;sbrcad pendant, lima
gned the most prudent method was to bring
too and hoist the colors, that no mistake
might arise, and that he might sec what we
were the ship was therefore brought too,
colors hcisted, guns double shcttcd, and e.
t very preparation made in case of Il surprise.
by his manner Of steering down, he evident
ly wished to lay his ship in position for RAJ
! King, which l frustrated by wearing three
times. About BIS he came within hail
hailed and asked what ship 1t .was--hc re-
pcatcd my question, again hailed and ask
ed what ship IL was--hc again repeated my
words, and fred broadsidc, which instant
ly returned. The action then became gene
raj, and continued so for three quarters of
an hour, when he ceased firing, and appear
ed to be on fire about the main hatchway-
he then fllcd-i was obliged to desist from
| firing, as the ship falling off, no gun would
| bear, and had no after sail to keep her too,
all the rigging and sails cut to pieces, not a
brace or bovine left-he hailed and asked
what ship this was--I told him-he then
asked me if I had struck my colors-my
answer was no, and asked what ship it was.
As plainly as could understand, Che ha-
wing shot some distance at this time) he an
swered the United States frigate-he fred
no more guns, but stood from us, giving no
reason tor his most extraordinary conduct
At day light in the morning, saw a ship to
windward, when having made out we'll what
we were, bore up and passed within hail full
| ly prepared for action about 8 o'clock-he
hailed and said if pleased he would send
boat on board, replied in the affirmative,
and boat accordingly came with an officer
and message from Commodore Rodgers
OF the President, U. States frigate, to say
that he lamented much the unfortunate af-
fair, Gas he termed it)that had happened, &
that had he known our force was so inferior,
he should not have fired at me. / asked his
that we fired the first gun at him, which was
positively not the case. cautioned both
the officers and men to be particularly care
tul and not suffer any more than one man to
be at the gun, nor is it probable that sloop
OF war within pistol shot of a large a gun
tI1gate should commence stilities-he
offered me every assistance stood in need
OF, and submitted to me that i had better
put into one of the ports CT the u. States,
IN ately ,J,a
ner in which he apologized, it appeared to
me evident, that had he fallen in with Bri-
fish frigate, he would certainly have brought
her to action. What further confirms lie
IN this opinion is, that his guns were not on
ly loaded with round and grape skot, but
with every scrap of iron that could possibly
be collected. i have to lament the loss of
50 men killed and wounded, among whom is
the master. His Majesty's ship is much
damaged in her masts. sails rigging and hull,
and as there are many shot through between
wind and water, and many shots still re-
manning III her side, and upper works all
shot away; starboard pumps also, / have
Judged 1t properto proceed to Halifax, which
will hope meet with your appreciation.
cannot speak in too high terms of the Of
hcers and men lhave the honor to command
for their steady and active conduct through
out the whole of hisbusiness, who had much
to do, as gale Of wind came ON the I'd night
alter the action. | have to request SIR
you will be pleased to recommend to the
notice of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty, my list lieutenant Mr.. John Mo-
berry, who is in every respect most excel
lent officer and afforded me very great as
sistance in stopping the leaks himself in the
gale, securing the masts and doing every
thing in hispower. 1t would be the greatest
injustice was not also to speak most high
iy OF lieutenant Lowell second lieutenant,
OF Mr.. Nc Queen master, who, asI have be-
fore stated was wounded in the right arm
in nearly the middle of the action, and MIR.
Wilson, masters mate; indeed the conduct
OF every officer and man was so good, it is
impossible for me to discriminate. / beg
leave to inclose a list of the thirty two men
killed and wounded, most of them mortaliy,
fear. hope, sir, in this affair, shall ap-
pear TO have done my duty, and conducted
myself as ought to have done, against 50
superior force, and that the honor Of the
British cOlors was well supported.
have the honor to be, sir, with much
| respect, your most obedent humble servant.
a. b. BINGHAM, CAPT.
TO Robert Se7pyer, Esq. Rear .Hdmirai
Of THE Red, Commander in chit, &c.
&c. &c.
| dfr. dlonroe Secretary Of Sfate TO Nfr.
N.'Ier Cherge d'46aireS to his Brftan-
nc 01gjesfy.