The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-07-03

His .)Laiessy's Sloob Lite Belt, .1Ioyl
2lst, 1871, Lat SO, SIS, NJ long. II, 49
~ Cape Charles bearing Hest 48 miles )
Sr-i beg leave to acquant you that in pursuance
Of your orders to join his majesty's ship Cm17ere,
and beiag On my return from the Eorthward, nothav
ing fallen in with her-That about III, A. NJ. hay
i6h saw strange sail, to which Immediately gave
chase. At l., p. NJ. discovered her to be man OF
war; apparently frigate, standing to the eastward,
who, when he made us out, edged away for us anG
set his royals. Made the signals 275 and finding it
not answered, concluded she American frigate,
she had Commodore's blue pendant flying at the
Main. Hoistod the colours and made all sail s. the
course intended steering round Care HaterGs the:
stranger edging away bHt not making any SAT-.
At so, he made sail in chase, when made the pr-
vate signal, which was not answered. s 80, find
ing he gained considerably us not TO be able
to Glade him during the night, seing 7ethin snn-Sho,
and cearly disco mrg the stars in his broad PENDANT
imagined the most prudent method to bring TOO,
and hoist the colours that mistake might arise, and
that he might what were. The ship
therefore brought too her colours hosted, her guns
double shotted, and every preparation made in case
of surprze. BY his manner Of steering down, he
evidently wished to lay his ship in position for r;k
ing, which frustrated by wearing three times: A.
bout IS, he came within hail. hailed, and asked
what ship it was He repeated my question. Iogain
haiLed, and asked what ship it was He again repea
ted my words, and fired broadsde, which instant
continued so for three quarters Of hour, when he
ceased firing, and appeared to be fire about the
main hatchway. He then filled-I obliged Ia
desist from firing, as, the ship falling OIL, gun
would bear, and had no after sail to keep her too
All the rigging and sails cut to pieces not brace
nor bowIine left. He hailed and asked what ship
this was ? told him--H then asked me if Ihac
struck my colour My answer was No, and asked
what shipit was As plainly as could understand
Che having shot some distance at this time) he an
arnI Ihe vTp,t SI Cta fr,n uo
more guns but stood from us, giving no reason for
his most extraordinary conduct.
At day light in the morning, ship to the
windward, when having made out well what
were bore up and passed within hail fully prepared
Tor action. About O'Clock he hailed and said If I
pleased, he would send boat on board / replied
in the affirmative, and boat accordingly came with
an officer, and a message from Commodore Rogers
OF c President of the United States to say that t
lamented much the unfortunate affair Gas he termed
i) that had happened, and that had he Known o,i'
iOrce 'oas inferionr he 7roud haze fred
asked his motive for having fired at all His reply
was that " nc fred the first gun at him :" which
PosOey NOT lie 1 cautioned both the officers
and men to be particularly careful, and suffer any
more than one man to be at the gun Nor is it pro-
babc that SlOop Of 7par, thn pistol shot Of large
A gan fi7gote ahouid hoSifhcS. He oliev-
ed me every assistance l stood in need Of, and sub
mitted to me that had better put into one Of the
ports of the United States which immediately
declined
by the manner in which he apolosized it appeared
to evident that had he fallen in with British fiji
gate he would certainly have brought her TO action.
And What further confirms III that opinion is, that
his guns not loaded with round and grape shot
but with every scrap Of Iron that could possibly be
collected
/ have to lament the loss Of 50 men Killed and
wounded, among whom is the master.
His Majesty's ship is much damaged in her masts,
sails, rigging and hull, and there are many shot
through between wind and water, and many shots
still remaining inside, and upper works all sho;
way, starboard pump also, have Judged it proper
to proceed to Halifax, which will hope meet with
your appreciation.
l cannot speak in too high terms of the officers
and men have had the honour to command for
their steady and active conduct throughout the
whole Of TINS business, who had much 10 do z
gale of wind came the I'd night after the action
have request that, sir, YOU will be pleased re-
commend, to the notice OF my Lords Commissioners
Of the Admiralty, my lst. lieutenant Nr. John Mo
teny, who is, i'll every respect, most excellent Of
icer, and afforded me very great assistance i'll stop
ping the leaks, himself, in the gale, securing the
inas,s and doing every thing in his power. 1t would
be the greatest injustice was not also to speak most
highly of lieut.. Lowell, Cd lieut.. of Mr. M'Quccn,
master, who, as have before stated, was wounded
in the right arm, in nearly the middle OF the action
and Mr.. Wilson, masters mate; indeed the condaot
of every officer and man good that it IS
impossible for me to discriminate
beg leave to enclose a list of the 50 men killed
and wounded most Of them mortally, fear.
hope, sir, in this affair, shall appear TO basc
done my duty, and conducted myself as l ought 20
have dsne against superour force, and that the
hOnorr of the British colours was we'll supported.
have the honour to be, &C.
A. A. BINGHAM, Captain.
To Herbert Sdrger, Esq. Rear-.4dniral Of :
the Red, COmmander in Chief, &C. &c. )