Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-09-09

who left London in the ship Jefferson,
hound to philadelphia. but meeting with
the Governor Strong, three days since,
and being DESTROYS of coming to this port,
he cot on board the latter. Mr.. Coates
has favored us with London papers to the
9Th July, and says in London paper OF
the 22d July, it is stated that the king IS
exceedingly i'll and that his physicians
have but little hopes Of his recovery.
ADMIRALTY OFFICE, July IL.
Copy of a letter from rear admiral Sa7c-
ucr, commander in chief Of his mejesty's
Sims and ressels on the coast Of North
.arnerica, to John Wilson Crocl'er, Esq.
dated on board the africa, at Ber'nu-
da, the nth Of June, 1911.
SIR,
Enclosed I transmit to you. for the
information of the lords commissioners oil
the admiralty, copy of letter from
capt. Arthur Bait Bingham, commander
of his majesty's sloop Little Belt, received
this day from lord James Townsend, capt.
of his majesty's ship Eolus, and senior
officer at Halifax; by which their lord
ships will perceive he was attacked on
the evening of the 10th Of May last, when
eruizipg between Cape Henry and Cape
Hatteras, by the United States fiigate the
President, of forty-four guns, commanded
by com. Rodgers +; and that after close
action of three quarters OF an hour the
American ship made sail from him.
Captain Bingham's modest, but full AMI
clear statement, renders any comment
from me unnecessary and l have only
to admire the extraordinary bravery ana
frmpess with which himself. his officers,
and ships company supported the honor
of the British flag. when opposed to such
an immense superiority offorce. l have.
however, deeply to lament the number OF
valuable British seamen and royal marines
who have been either killed or wounded
On this unexpected occasion list OF
whose names is also enclosed, together
with a copy of my order. under which
captain Bingham was cruising.
have the honor to be. &c.
II. SAWYER, Rear Admiral. :
His .Moiesty's sloop Little Belt, May n,
1914, lat. Sc, 50, N. long. n. as, ~.
Cane Charles bearing ". rs miles.
s1RI beg leave to acquaint you that
in pursuance of your orders to Join his
N; ! sty's ship Guerrero, and being on my
,.,nrn from the n0rthward, not having
fallen in with her. that at about II A. Nj.
Nav t6th, saw strange sail, to which !
Immediately gave chase; at Z. M. DIS
covered her to be man ofwar apparent
" frigate, standing TO the eastward,
who. when he made US cut, edged away
for us, and set his royals made the Sig
nal 275. and finding it not answered, con-
cluded she was an American frigate' as
he had Commodore's blue pendant flynn,
at the main hoisted the colors, and made
all sail south. the course INTENDED steer
| ing round Cape Hatteras, the stranger
| e,iyins away, but not making any more
sail. At half past he made sail in chase,
| when made the private signal, which
was answered. AT halfpast 6, finding he
gained so considerably on us as not to be
able to elude him during the night, being
within gun-shot, and clearly discerning;
the stars in his broad pendant / imagined
the more prudent method was to bring too,
and hoist the colOrs that no mistake might
arise. and that he might see what we were
the shin was therefore brought too. colors
hoisted. guns double shotted, and ever!
nreparation made in case OF surprise
| By his manner Of steering down, he evi
IDENTIFY wished to lay his ship in position
for raking US, which frustrated by wear
ing three times. About quarter pas
eight, he came within hail. hailed
and asked what ship it was? He repeat
ed my question. l again hailed and ask
ed what ship it was? He again repeated
my words, and fired broadside, which
immediately returned. The action thel