Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-07-05


At day light in tie morning, saw ship to
windward, when having mace out well what
we were, bore up and passed within hail, fully
prepared for action. About 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, Of the United States, to say
that he lamented much the unfortunate affair
las he termed it, that had happened, and that
had he krorn our force sras so inferior, he
should not hare fired at me. / asked his
motive for having fred at all +? His reply was,
that ue fired tn. first gun at him J" which
was positipeiy not tie case. | cautioned
both the officers and men to be particularly
careful, and not suffer more than one man to
be at the gun. Nor is it probable that sfoop
Of wor, s5ithin pistol shot of large 4.
gun .frigate, should commence hostiIities
lie offered me every assistance stood in need
Of and, submitted to me that ! had better
which l Immediately declined
BY the manner in which he apologizsd, it
appeared to me evident that had he fallen in
with British frigate, he would certainly
have brought her to action. And what fur
shSh SohuiA ns ITO tndt OplHloQ ID, Lldk MS
guns were not only loaded with round and
grape shot, but with every scrap of iron that
could possibly be collected.
have to lament the loss Of 80 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 wa
ter, and many shots still remaining inside.
nd Ill Il
pump also, ! have judged it proper to pro-
coed to Halifax, which will hope meet with
your appreciation.
cannot speak in too high terms of the Of
hcers and men have the honor TO command,
for their steady and active conduct through
out the whole Of this business, who had much
to do, as gale OF wind came on the Cd night
after the action have to request, sir, that
you will be pleased to recommend to the no
tee OF my lords commissioners of the admi-
rally, my LIST lieutenant, Mr.. John Moleny,
who Is, IN every respect, most excellent Of
nicer, and afforded me very great assistance
in stopping the leaks, himself in the gale,
securing the masts, and doing every thing in
his power 1t would be the greatest injustice
was not also to speak most highly of lieut..
Lowell, second lieut.. of Mr.. M'Queen, mas
ter, who, as have before stated, was wound
ed in the right arm, in nearly the middle Of
the action, and Mr.. Wilson, masters mate
indeed the conduct of every officer and man
was SO good, that it is impossible for me to
discriminate
/ beg leave to enclose list of the SO men
killed and wounded most of them mortally,
fear.
hope, sir, in this affair shall appear to
have done my duty, and conducted myself a.
| ought to have done against so superior q
force, and that the honor of the British CO.,
lours was well supported.
have the honor to be, sir, with much re-
spect, your most obedient, humble servant .
A. B. BINGHAM, Captain.
To Herbert Sawyer, Esq.
rear admiral of the red,
commander in chief, &C. 4