Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-30

Cory ofa letter from Commodore RocEPs
% the Secretary ofthe Navy.
United States Frigate President, off
SANDY Hook, 23d MAY, 1911.
SIR,
regret extremely being under the ne
CeSsity Oh representing to you an event that
occurred On the night of the 10th inst. between
the snip under my command and his Bri an
mic Majesty's ship of war the Little Belt. ,m-
manded by Captain Bingham: the result Of
winch has given me much pain, as well on
account OF the injury she sustained, as that
should nave been compelled to the measure
that produced 1t, by a vessel OF her inferior
bDfCe. Inc circumstances are as fellows -
On the 10th inst. at twenty Eve minutes past
Meridian, in seventeen fathom water. Cane
Henry bearing s. w. distant fourteen or ff.
teen leagues, sail was discovered from our
mast head in the East, standing towards
us under a press of sail At half mast
one the symmetry OF her upper sails (Which
were at this time distiDguishable from onr
deck and her making signals, Showed her
TO De man ot war. At Iorty-hve minutes
past one +. NJ. hUisted ourensien and Dendant.
When, hndlng her signals not answered. she
wore ana stood to the Southwark. Being de-
SlrouS OF speaking her, and of ascertainino
what she was, now made sail in clace: and
by half past three, p. NJ. found we were com
ing up with her; as by this time the upner
part OF her stern began to shew itself above
.ne horlzon. Inc wind now began, and con-
tirued gradually to decrease, so as to prevent
my being able TO approach her sufficiently he
lore sunset, to discover her actual force.
winch the position she preserved during the
chase was calculated to conceal or to iEdge
even to what nation she belonged as she an
PeaTed studiously to decline shelving hercoIors
AZ ntteen or twenty minutes past seven. p.
Nj the chace took in her studdine sails and
soon after hauled mn her courses, and bauled
by the wind on the starboard tack she at the
same time hoistered an ensign or fac at ber.
Inlzen Ieak; but it was too dark for me To
discover what nation it represented now for,
tle nrSt nme her broad side was presented to
our our view but night had so far progressed.
that although her appearance indicated Sire
was trlgate, was unable to determine her.
actual force.
AT fifteen minutes before eight P. M. heinz
about mile and half from her, the wind -
the time very light, I directed Cant Judlou,
20 take position to windward of her and ON
the same tack, within short speaking distance
/ ms however the commander of fhe chez
appeared from his mano.uvres tn he ar1;o,,s
10 prevent, as hc wore and hauled bv the
WIND on different tacks four times successive
y Cc'"een tils PERIOD and the time of our ar
,rlVing az the position, which had ordered 70
Oe IdhSh. AZ hiteen or twenty minutes past
eight, beng little forward Of her ,ycathe-
beam and distant from seventy TO a hundred
yards, nailed what ship is that 80 70 the
enquiry no answer was given, but 7 was hail
ca by her commander and asked what shir,
IS that? Having asked the first question
OF course considered myself entitled bv the
common rules OF pOlltenCss To the href al,
5Wer atter pause OF ilfteen or tyeptv co.
condS, reiterated my hrst enquiry at d, v,ho,
slip IS that" and before ] had time 70 az.
the trumpet from my mouth. was ansycrrd
ny a shot, that cut oil one Of our maintop-m,st
breast back stays and went into orr main.
nast--at this instant Capt. Caldwell (of ma
rines) who was standing very near to Inc o.,
sne Sahgway having observed SIR, she has
ust as ] was in the act OF giving an ordcr To-