Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-07-01
New Your, June &c
BRITISH OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
CAPT. B1NcnAM's LETTER.

are indebted Tor the following copy CT captain
Binghanl's letter to Admiral Sawyer, giving
the particulars ofthe late rencounter between
the United States frigate President and his
Britannia Majesty sloop of war Little Belt.
We underStad it was received here On Mon
day by the schr. Virginia Packet, in days
Il ON Norfolk.--Ev. Post
" His Majssfy's sfooh Little Bet, Nay 21st,
1911, lat. SO, SIS, Miong. II, rs, ". Cafe
Charles bearing Nest, distant 48 miles.
SIR beg leave to acquaint you, that
IN Pursuance OF your orders. to jcin Ii. NJ
ship Guerrier, and being en- nv return from
the northward, not having fallen III with her
That about ii AN. saw a strange sail to
which immediately gave chase. At T.
M. discovered her to be a man Of war APP
parently trigatc, standing TO the eastward,
who, when he made US out, edged away for
us, and set his royals. Made the signal 275.
and tindng 1T not answered, concluded she
was an American frigate, as she had a Com
mcdore'S blue pendant Hying at the main.
Hoisted the Colors and made all sail south,
the course i intended to steer round Cane
lIatteras; the stranger edging away bat not
making any more sail. AT 3 so he made
SAN III chase, when / made the private sig
nai which was not answered. At 80 fin
ding he gained so considerably on us as not
70 be abe to eludc him during the night, be-
Ing within gun shot and clearly discerning
the stars III his broad pendant, imagined the
most prudent method was, to bring to and
hoist the colors that no mistake might arise,
and that he might see what we were. The
shpwas therefore bro't too, her colors hois-
ted, her guns double shctted, and ever,
preparation made in case of surprise. Bv
US manner OF steering down, he evidently
ylpfS to kay ms ship IN position for raking,
Nh&H frSstrated by wearing three times
About 3 lThe came within hail hailed 6:
asked What ship it was 9-He repeated my
question. again hailed, and asked what
ship it wasf He again repeated my words,
and fired Il broadside, which instantly re-
turned. The action then became general,
and continued SO for three quarters of an
hour, when he ceased firing, and appeared
to be on fire about the main hatchway. He
then hlled-I was obliged to desist from
firing, as, the ship falling off, no gun would
bear and had no after SAILS to keep her too.
All the rigging and sails cut to pieces; not
a brace nor bowline left.-He hailed and
asked what ship this WASP / told him.
He then asked me if 1 had struck my CO.
lors' My answer was No, and asked what
ship it wasf As plain as could understand
Che having shot some distance at this time)
ne ans0eF2d The United States fripate. He
fired no more guns, but stood from us, giving
no reason for his most extraordinary con-
duct.
At day light in the morning, saw a ship to
windward, when having made out well what
we were, bore up and passed within hail fully
preparation action. About O'Clock he kali
ed and said, if pleased, he would send beat
on board replied in the affirmative, and
boat accordingly came with an officer, & mes
sage from Commodore Rodgers of the Presi-
dent OF the United States to say that he la
mented much the unfortunate affair (as he
termed it) that had happened, and that had
he known her force was so inferior he should
not have fired at me. l asked his motive for
having fired at all His reply was that I'VE
fired the first gun at him ;" which was posi-
lively not the case. Icautioned both the of
hcers and men to be particularly careful, and
not to suffer any more than one manto be at
the gun. Nor is it probable that sloop of
war, within pistol shut of large a gun fri
gate should commence hostilities He offer
ed me every assistance l stood in need of,
and submitted to me that / had better put in
10 one of the ports of the u. States; which
Immediately declined.
BY the manner in which he apologized it
appeared to me evident that had he fallen in
with British frigatc he would certainly have
brought her TO action. And what further
confirms me in that opinion is, that his guns
were not only loaded with round and grape
shot, but with every scrape Of iron that could
possibly be collected
j have to lament the loss Of thirty-two men
killed and wounded, among whom is the mas
ter.
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 remaining inside, and up
per works all shot away, starboard pump al
so, have judged it proper to proceed to Ha-
lifax, which will hope meet with yor appro-
baton.
cannot speak in too high terms Of the Off
GERS and men have the honor to command
forstheir steady and active conduct through
out the whole Of this business, who had much
to f., as gale Of wind came OH the second
nj fGer the action. / have to request, sir,
th n Skgill'be pleased to recommend to the
notte fmy lords Commissioners Of the Ad-
mir tyRrny hrft Lieutenant Mr.. John Molen-
ly, Nov in every respect a most excellent
ofiiceh and afforded me great assistance in
stopping the leaks himself in the gale, secur-
ing the masts and doing every thing in his
power. 1t would be the greatest injustice
was not to speak most highly Of Lieutenant
| Lowell, second Lieutenant, of Mr.. MQueen
master, who as have before stated, was
Ia tho r.ohf IN, rear1, tho. mid