Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-06-28


with a commodore's blue pendant at the
main, and the conclusion drawn that it was
an American ship. The Little Belt ther
altered her course to the S. and in about
hours after, the frigate under press o
sail, was seen standing for her: 1t wa!
soon noticed that she gained upon the Little
Belt, and at half past six the latter hove &c
when, guarding against surprize th'
usual preparations were made for action, a
which time the stars in the frigate's pendant
were perfectly visible.
AT about eight, she came within hail and
was twice asked from the sloop of war what
ship 1t was. The answer to the first en-
curry was repetition of the question; to
the second, broadside of round and grape
shot; which was Immediately returned ;
and an action commenced which continu d
full three quarters of an hour, when the fri
gate ceased firing, filled her sails, sheered
off, and hailed the Little Belt, (Which just
at that time had also ceased hring) asked
what ship-was told her name and then en-.
CURED if she had struck her colors, and was
answered in the negative.
The name of the frigate was then asked,
and an answer reformed that was the United
States ship PRESIDENT. She afterwards
stood off under easy sail,sand both ships
lay tot the remainder OF the night, repairing
their damages In the morning the frigate
bore down upon the LITTLE BELT, and
coming within hail, asked permission to
send boat to her, which was granted, and
an officer came on board with message
from Commodore Rodgers, saying he la.
mented the transaction, did not think she
was so much inferior in force to the Presi-
dent-vas sorry the Little Belt had fre0
first would willingly render her every
assistance in his power--and advised that
she should go into an American port to re.
pair. The officer then took his departure,
returned to the President, which made sail
and was soon out of sight, leaving the Little
Belt almost complete wreck-sails and
rigging cut to pieces-tt killed 81 wound
ed-and without explanation of their extra.
ordinary conduct"
Extract of letter from an officer, dated on
board his majesty's sloop Atalanta, of
Sandy Hook, June 10Th, 1911.
''The only public information in my
power to communicate, is, that on Sunday,
the 9th instant, being in company with his
majesty's ship Eurydice, we fell in with the
American frigate United States, off the
Cspes of Virginia; and that during con.
versation of an amicable nature between
Capt. Bradshaw, from the Eurydlce, and
Commodore Decatur, whose broad PEN
dant was aying on board the United States,
a shot was fired towards the Eurydice, but
did not strike her, and from which no un-
pleasant consequences took place, as Com.
modore Decatur instantly called out and
declared upon his honor it was an accident,
and not intended as an insult to the British
flag, which assurances he repeated in per.
son to the first Lieutenant of the Fury dice,
who was sent Immediately on board the u
nited States to demand officially the reason
of the shot having been fired. The matter
being SO adjusted we parted company"
Captain Etheridge, of the Good Intent,
from North Carolina, informs that on Thurs-
day evening, off Cape Henry, about S o.
clock, heard heavy firing in shore; that
there were four broad sides, and some chas-
ing guns from the Earring, supposed one
ship to be of heavier metal than the other.
On Friday night, spoke pilot boat from
the Delaware-informed, that they saw
two frigates, one chasing the other.
This firing, probably, was from the two
frigates from England with Mr.. Foster and
Mr.. Pinkney on board, saluting each other
on their arrival in Hampton Roads.
NORFOLK, June Ia.
Samuel Saunders, native of the state
of Connecticut, has been discharged from
the British sloop of war Atalanta, Oately
arrived from Bermuda off our Capes with
and sent I'm tn this Mace