Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-14

ed. At 6, so hndlng ne galheu so
blv on ,rs. as not to be able to elude him dur.
imp the night, being within gun shol, anu
clearly discerning the stars in his broad pen.
dant, / imagined the most prudent melhoa
was TO bring too and hoist the colors, tnat no
mistake might arise, and that he might see
what we were the ship was therefore oro
too. colors hoisted, guns double shotted' ana
every preparation made in case OF surprise
By his manner of steering down, he EVIL
IDENTITY wished to lay his ship IN position LOT
raking, which l frustrated by wearing three
times. About 8, Is he came within hall
hailed and asked what ship it was-he re-
peated nv question. again hailed and asked
what ship it was--he again repeated my words
and fired 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 10
be on fire about the main hatchway-he
then filed was obliged to desist from
firing, as the ship falling off, no gun
would bear, and had no after sail to keep
her too, all the rigging and sails cut to
pieces, not brace or bovine iett-he hailed
and asked what ship this was-l told him
70 then asked me if had struck my colors-
INV answer was, no and asked what ship 1t
was. AS plainly as | could understand, Che
having shot some distance at this time) he
answered the United States frigate-he hrcd
no more guns, but stood from US, giving no
reason for his most extraordinary conduct.
At day light in the morning, saw ship to
windward, when having made out we'll what
we were, bore up and passed within hail, tui-
" prepared for action about o'ciock-he
hailed and said if pleased, ne would send
boat Oh board. replied in the affirmative, e
a boat accordingly came with an officer and
message from Commodore Rodgers OF the
President, United States frigate, TO say that
ne larnented much the unfortunate affair, las
he termed it, that had happened, and that had
lie known our force was SO inferior. he should
not have fred at me. asked his motive tor
having fired at all-his reply was, thatwe fired
the frs, gun at him, which was positively not
the case. / cautioned both the officers ard
men TO be particularly careful and not suffer
any more than one man TO be at the gun, nor
is it probable that sloop OF war within pistol
shot Of large ~ gun frigate should CON-
mence hostiiities-he offered me every assist
ance stood in need OF, and submitted to me
that had better put into one OF the ports OF
the United States, which | Immediately de-
ciined. By the manner in which he apoioglz-
ed, it appeared TO me evident, that had he tai
len in with British frigate lie would GER
tainly have brought her TO action. What tur-
Their confirms me in this opinion is, that his
guns was 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 81 men killed and wounded, among
whom is the master. His Majcsty's ship is
much damaged in her mast,, sails, rigging
and hull, and q. there are many SHOT through
between wind and water, and many shots still
remaining in her side, and upper works all
shot away; starboard pumps also; have
Judged it proper TO proceed 70 Halifax, which
vii! hope meet with your appreciation.
cannot speak in too high terms OF the Oh
icers and men have the honor 20 command,
for their steady and active conduct through
cut the whole Of this business, VINO had much
10 do. as gale of wind CAME on the second
night after the action. | have TO request. sir,
you will be pleased 10 recommend 10 the NO.
tee Of the lords commissioners OF the admit
ra.tv, nv first lieutenant Mr.. John Moberly,
who is in every respect most excellent OH
Ger and afforded ne very great assistance in
stopping the leaks himself in the gale, secur-
ing the rnasts and doing every thing IN his
power. Ii would be the greatest injustice
was not also to speak most highly of Lieu
tenant Lowell, second lieutenant. of Mr.. Nc
Queen, master, who, as | have before stated,
was wounded in the right arm, in nearly the
middle of the action, and Mr.. Wilson, mas
ter's mate indeed the conduct OF every Off
Ger and man was SO good, it is impossible for
me to discriminate. beg leave 10 enclose
list OF the thirty two men killed and wounded,
most OF them MORALLY, | fear. hope sir, IN
this affair, shall appear 70 have done ny du-
", and conducted myself as / ought to have
done, against SO superior force, and that the
honor of the British colors was well supported.
| have tie honor TO be, sir, with much re-
spect, TOUR most obed.ent humble servant,
A B. BINGHAM, Cottam.
To Herbert Saryer, Egg. Rear .4dnlasl
offhe Red, Commander IN Chief, &c.
lMr. Lif5nroe, Sscrstary # State, 70 Iur. M