Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-09-19

Radasrs in the action between the prcsilen,
and ,-i'ie set closed the testimony in the case
Tbs cosri IS heretofore stated, consists of
ON. Stephen Decatur, presidcn,.
Capt Charles Stewart,
Capt isanc Ch:uncOv ard
l he ton. William Pau.diaS, U. Csq. Judge
Of the evidence furnished TO tbs court. on the
c7hs Of the several witnesses examncd, we presen,
hrici outline, il the order it was ;,'duced and
icayc the public, in where doubt is impossible
and conviction irrosistble. TO make its own COM
meets
The first witness examined was,
CHARLES LUDLOW,
.ah''f'r connai'd.sat and acting Captain Of the
President.
We was on board the ship at the time of the action
With the LATHE Bell, the night Of the 10th of May
last. The LATHE Belt had her tonssil shack. From
his position he uncertan which fired the FIRST
gun but the second WAS from The President, aud
instantly followed by three cannon and m,isSetry
from the Little Belt.
Commodore RODGERS ordered TO Gre low and with
two round shot. After short pansc the Belt re-
commenced firing, as did the President. The Belt
soon appeared uogovernabie aud lay how on towards
the President, when Conm odore Rodgers observed
that some accident must have happened to her and
ceased firing Her gaf was down, and her maintop-
sail yard On the cap and mzen too, bc thinks. The
action continued IA or IL minutes including the in
terval There nothing but round and grape
SHOT fired, or on deck on board the President. The
SNIP was not on fire, IN ANY part OF her, and did
probably have sunk the Little Belt Did not know
or believe any part of the Commodore's official ae-
count was untrue or Incorrect.
Jolar orde Creighton, First Lieutenant- y
Was stationed at the 9TH division oG guns ON the nm
per deck. Com. Rodgers hailed first, then second
time, when shot was fired, he believes, from the
Little Belt, gun having been fired or provocatior
Ih.,n - g. .
tx were, to Keep the guns upon half cock and guard
against accidents. After receiving the Little Belts
broadsde, was ordered to fire. The Belt was ST.
fenced in five minutes, and the President ceased
The Belt renewed the FIRE aud Commolore Rodgers
returned it. and slenced the Belt again in five mi
| nutes Boarded the Little Bslt the next morning
com h sent friendly message, expressing regret
for the occurrence, and offers OF assistance Contain
Bingham SAID he took the President for n French
man President was not on fire. and did NOT sheer
oil Nothing but round and grave shot was fired or
on the deck Another broadsid, would probably
nave sunk the Belt Commodorc's account confirm
ed. -
Henry Cald'psR, Conma,raaalt Of Marines
Heard tho haing; was looking at the Little Belt
ana saw the first shot proceed from hers on which
Commodore Rodgers said 60 What is that =" and he
| answered, "She has fired into us'' Orders wore
then gwen to fire. Belt silenced in five minutes
Com. X. was anxions to stop his fire. and did so
he Belt renewed the action, and in six or seven
V-
ious TO prevent mischief, and stopt his fire No fire
or sheering OIL Commodore's account confirmed
raymond ". ]. Perry, Jr. lieutenant and Sig
nal Oft er--Was on the quarter deck near Com
Roigers's elbow The Commodore hailed. got no
reply-hailed a second time, land got none. Heard
gun, and was looking at the Belt, which fired it.
previous TO any gun or pruyoeation from the Pres-
dent The Belt was silenced in five uA.ltes and
oders was sent TO every division of guns - oar the
President to cease. The Belt renewed the fire, and
fltp Eracil dante ali II, -. II m
firing again, and the Commodore was very anxious
TO stop the firing on board the President No fire
or steering of. The Belt was in very dangerous
situation and would probably have been sunk by a.
mother bToadside. Heard mailing from the Belt and
understood they said their colours were down, and
SO reported. Commodore Rodgers hailed, " Have
YOU struck your colours 20 and was answered, /
have, and am in great distress" Lights were up on
board the President during the night Comma
dores statement confirmed
.4tidreaO H. %. .1Lldcison, lieutenant Of Marines
Was on the gangway. Heard the commodore
hail first, then wait IS 10 seconds time enough
for reply, but got none, aud hailed again; when the
Little Belt fired gun from her gangway. Saw the
Hash and heard the report no gun nor provocation
had been offered by Com. Rodgers In o seconds
gun was fired from the President, when instantly the
Belt bred three guns. and then her broadside and
musketry. Belt silenced in or minutes Firing
stopped in the President. lii or 3 minutes Belt re-
newed the action. and in Or 5 minutes was again
silenced, when Com II. ordered his fire to cease,
and appeared anxious to prevent damage. No fire
or sheering oil of the President re-
port confirmed
Captain Ca,drpeH confirmed the account of the
LIST and ID guns, and broadsdc, given by the other
witnessed
Ja,ob .lIil, SaifuY-.l lqsfer--Was on tile
qnarter-eek Com. n. hailed, and got no answer bnt
'haloo" After sufficient time hailed again and cot
no reply, but shot, without prOvocation In3ori
s seonGs returned the shot and got general fire
gate until next day Action continued II or IS mi
nutes including or minutes interval Little Belt
could have fired again. but President could have sunk
her.-Commodore's official account is true.
Licm Cleighfo1 thought the LittIe-Belt fripate
Excepting her feeble dcence) until next day Cant
bingham told him the Presidents colours we're not
hose but recolleeied the pendant II is the usage,
as before stated by anOtieT witness for the Presi
ueht TO be prepared for action coming alongside
VI any armed vessel. Thought the Iittie-Belf dis
defence.
Josem Smith, .lHdshi5mqn. aefinv as .Htqtey's
.llate--C commanded 4tii division Of guns. Heard
com. q hsil, and no reply for seconds Heard
second nn and vas looking at the Idttle-BcIt when
thc irst Sun was fred by her. before shot or any
nyOyacation was gwen hy the President Then cor,
u hred gun, then The Belt 3, and action CON
tinned. Thought tic Belt irigate. The daration
o. tie action and orders TO cease, as before stated
The last order to stop firing was received In, tre
Inherent officers Com RS statement confirmed
H7Uy Dennisoi. .fefng Cka6l1in--Vas ON ,I,e
quarterback. Ltte-Belt was 10 or 80 yds. distant
Heard com. RS. hal, aud the reply,' aud the 81