Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-08-31
LITTLE BELT.
LONDON, July 9


We have made some further extracts
from the American papers. to shew the
tone and language used by the Americans
In consequence of their gallant atchleHe-
ment against the Little Belt. We have
inserted also the American offlciai state
maut which is in direct contradiction TO
probability and indeed to the solemn de-
claration OF Capt. BINGHAM and all the
officers of the Belt. There could be no
nretence for this hostile attack? No de-
mand was made for any Americans I'M
messed by our Otfieers-nO complaint
was urged; the frigate commenced hos
tilities at once, as fthe American Govern
ment had determined TO 8 cut snort all
intarmission" and shew us her determIna-
ton TO negotiate only at the cannon 5
month. BE It soft is not for us dread
the issue OF any contest with America.
And il she prefer fighting under French
banners, and guidance ofFrench purposes
in other words, If she ehuse to accept a
Bonaparte for a Washington. on her head
be all the guilt and shame, aye aGa all
the ruin ofsueh p0Iiey.-C0Hrier
The Holly is arrived with dispatches
from Halifax, contaias Captain Bingham S
account Of the action with the Presideht.
which, We suppose, viii be published IN
The Gazette OF Saturday. The follow
inc, we believe. Will be found TO be cor
rect sketch Of it :--" Upon seeing the irl-
gate with an American broad pendant
which we were convinced wanted to speak
rs. Captain Bingham. with his Officers,
thought it would be better to speak her
hefore dark-shortened sail, hove to
some considerable time before sun SET.
The ffisate immediately shortened san
and came down to us very slowly. We
hoisted the ensign and pendant to let her
know who we were, and On heavlng to
boisted them again, and kept them up.
When the frigate was coming down to rs
We distinctly saw the white stars in the
broad pendant.
"When Captain Bingham judged the
frigate within hail, he hailed her twice
yery loudly, and received no answer a
bo,itS or minutes after 6 h. So m. p. n.y.
when a little closer, he hailed. I" Ship a
how was then repeated from The frisate.
Captain B. then hailed. 9 What snip that
is9'' which Wa also again repeated. lhe
fri-ate then immediately commenced hr-
ing her broadside. and musquets from
her tons and gansways; the action con
tiaued with great visour for rs minutes,
when the frigate ceased firing, and we
then did the same. She appeared when
she ceased firing to be on fire at the main
hatchway.--We were then asked ''what
shin is that 20 and immediately answered
by Gaptain B. who Immediately asked
siwhat shin is that % was Immediately
answered ..the United States frigate
President" The President then asked
s. have you struck your colours - Capt.
b. bravely answered No.. and said to
his officers that were near him that he
did not intend to strike his colours"
..Next morning, at day light, observed
the frigate about six or eight miles to
.windward, and shortly after she bore up
and came down to US under easy sail,
quite prepared for battle again-passed
under our stern. hailed and said, l Will
send a beat Oh beard, if you please"
Captafn B. answered, " very WE'LL" An
Officer came on board, who said, I" that
Commodore Rodgers was very sorry such
an accident had taken place. and that we
had fired the first shot" Captain Is. I'M
metliately eontradicted the Officer in the
last statement and said g he could bring
the whole of his officers TO their oaths
that the fsigate fired first" and asked the
officer I" If he thought We should fire at
neutral frigate much more than double
her force" The Officer appeared per-
feetly convinced of his being Obliged to
tell Capt. b. an internal iaishooa.-'od.
4 gallant action has been performed on
the eoast of Corsica, the birth place OF