The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-12-04
JOHN RODGERS.

2Ie .fo!logving Judgment comes after me evi-
dence and fht address, and concludes The re-
tort efike Proceedings ST the Court Of En-
ry:-
The Court of Enquiry, authorized and re-
quircd by precept issued by the honorable
the Secretary of the Navy of the United
States, bearing date the Oath of July, 1871,
have, in conformity with the same, minutely
examined into every circumstance stated in the
letter of JOHN RoDGERs, Esq. bearing date,
off Sandy Hook, May the Esd, 1911, and ad-.
dressed to the honourable the Secretary of
the Navy Of the United States, relative 10
the affair between the United States fsiga,c
the President and His Britanriek Maiesty's
ship the Lille or Little Belt; and having
taken all the testimony that could IN any man.
ner or degree cluoida,c facts, do, in obed-
ence to the aforesaid precept, state all the
facts tha: have been disclosed
First--It has been proved, to the sa,isfac-
tion Of the Court, that Commodore Rodgers,
on perceiying His Britannica Majcsty's ship
the Little Belt TO be ship-of-war, made eve
ry cxcrtion to come up with her before dark.
Second--It has been proved 10 the salts
faction OF the Court, that the flag Of the y.
States was displayed Oh board the ". States
irigate the President, as soon as his Britain
nick Majcsty's ship the Little Belt was dis
covered 10 be ship-of-war, and was kept
flying until noon OF the following day:
Third--It has been proved to the satisfa
ion Of the Court, that capt. Bingham &C.
knowledged that the broad pendant of the u.
States frigate the Presiden, had been dis,in-
gdishcd during the chase from His Britain
nick Majesty's ship the Little Belt.
Fourth--It has been proved to the salts
faction Of the Court, that no colours were
perceived lying on board of his Britannica
majesty's ship the Little Belt, until she hove
too, and that it was then too dark to distin-
guish to wha, nation they belonged.
FiIth-lt has been proved to the satiSfac-
ton OF the Court. that Commodore Rodscrs's
hailed his Bri,annick maicsty's ship the Lit
tie Belt first.
Sixth-It has been proved to the satisfac-'
tion of the Court, that Commodore Rod.
gers's hail was not satisfactorily answered.
Seventh--It has been proved to the salts
faction Of the Court, that his britannica ma
jesty's ship the Little Belt fired the first gun.
Eighth--It has been proved to the salts
faction of the Court, that the first gun fired
by bis Britannica majesty's ship the Little
Belt was without any previous provocation or
iustifablc cause.
Nnth--It has been proved to the satisfao-
ton of the Court. that the shot fired from
his Britannica majes:y's ship the Little Belt
was returned from the United States frigate
the President by single gun.
Tcnh-It has been proved tothe satisfac-
/, tion of the Court, that the general fire was
commenced by his Britannica majes,y's ship
the Little Belt.
Eleven,h--It has been proved to the salts
faction of the Court, thar after the firing had
continued four or five minutes, his Britain
nick majesiy's ship the Little Belt ceased
firing.
Twelfth--lt has been proved to the satis-
faction ot the Court, that after his Britannck
majestys ship the Little Belt had ceased fir
ing, and the fire of the United States frigate
the President had, in consequence thereof,
ceased that the fcrmer ship in about three
minutes recommended her fire upon the
latter
Thirteentl-It has been proved to the sat
isfaction Of the Court, that the second fire
continued about five minutes, when his Brit
anniok majesty's ship the Little Belt was TO-
tally silenced.
Fourieenth--It has been proved to the sat
isfaction of the Cortt, that in both instances,
when the fire Of His BRITANNICA Majesy's
ship the Little Belt was silenced, Commo-
dorc Rodgers exerted himself 10 prevent
furlhe, injury being done to her.
Fii,centh--It has been proved to the salts
faction OF the Court. that the United States
frigate the President was lying to with lights
hois,cd during the night after the affair with
His Britannica Majesiy's ship the Little Bell.
Sxteenth-It has been proved to the sat-
islsciion Of the Court, that Commodore Rod
gers proficrcd aid 10 the commander Of His
Britannica Majes,y's ship the Little Belt, the
morning after The rencounter.
Seventeenth-It has been proved 10 the sa.
tisfac,i9a os the Court, that, in consequence