The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1811-06-03


to do us further harm. l nevertheless en-
braced the earliest moment TO stop our fire
and prevent the tui Their efiusion Of blood
Here pause of half minute or more took
place, at the end Of which, our adversary not
showing further disposition to fire, l hail
ed and again asked" What ship is that ?"
l learned, for the first time, that it was a
ship OF his Britannica majesty's /; but blow
ing rather fresher than it had done, was
unable TO learn her name. After having in
formed her commander of the name Of this
ship, gave orders to wear, run under his
Ice and haul by The wind on the starboard tack,
and heavc too under topsails and repair what
little injury We had sustained in our rigging,
whish was accordingly executed, and we
continued lying to on different tacks with a
number Of lights displayed, in order tha, our
adversary might the better discern our posi-
ton and command our assistance, in case he
found it necessary during the night. A, day
light on the l7tb he was discovered several
miles TO lccward, when gave orders to bear
up aud run down 20 him under easy sail ai-
ter hailing him sent boat on board with
Lieut.. CeEIcHToH, to learn the name Of the
ship and her commander, with directions TO
ascertain the damage she had sustained, and
TO inform her commander, how much | re-
gretted the necessity on my part, which had
led to such an unhappy result at the same
time 10 offer all the assistance that the ship
under my command afforded, in repairing
the damage his had Sustained. At nine A.
NJ Lieut.. Creighton returned with informa-
ton, that it was his Brittanick majesty's ship
Little Belt, commanded by Capt. Bingham
who in "a polite manner declined the accep-
tance of any assistance I; saying at the same
time, that he had ON board all the necessary
requisites to repair the damages, sufficiently
TO enable him TO return to Halifax.
This however was not the most unpleasant
part of Capt. Bingham's communication to
1t. Creighton, as he Informed him, shat, in
addition to the injury his ship sustained, be-
tween 20 and 30 of his crew had been killed
aud wounded.
The regret that this information caused me,
you may be sure, was such as a man might
be expected to feel, whose greatest pride is
to prove, without ostentaton, by every pub
lick as well as private act, that he possesses
humane and generous heart and with these
sentiments, believe me, sir, that such COM
muncation would cause me the most acute
pain during the remainder of my life, had
not the consolation TO know that there was no
alternative left me between such sacrifice,
and one which would have been still greater
namely, to have remained passive spectator
OF Insult to the flag of my country, whilst i
was ccnhted TO my protection--and | woulC
have you 70 bs convinced sir, that however
much, individually, may previously have
had reason 10 feel incenscd AT the repeatet
outrages commit ID oD our flag by British
ships OF war, neither my passions nor preju
diccs bad any agency in this affair.
. iay country. | am well convinced o
the importance OF the transaction which ha,
impos' upon me the necessity of making
you this communication | must, therefore
from motives of deicacy, connected with
personal considerations, solicit that you will bs
pleased to request the President 10 authorise
formal enquiry to be instituted into all the
circumstances as well as into every part o
my conduct connected with the same.
The injury sustained by the shi p under m,
command is very trihing, except to the fore
and main masts, which before mentioned
no person killed, and but one "a boy woun
dcd.
For further particulars refer you to Capt
Caldwell, who is charged with the delivery
Of this communication.
have the honour to be, with great respect
sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) JOHN RODGERS.
Hon. PAUL HAMILToN, Secretary Of the Mary.
II is understood that Com. Rogers orders requr
| cd him to proceed to sea immediately from Annap
Jlis anil resume his former station, cruizing slonI
'he coast, before, for the purpose Of guarding
our maritime jurisdiction from violation by foreigi
| cruzers--.Ndt. Int
| 4 gentleman from Passamoqnoddy saw there
| person from bahfar, who informed Of an arrival q
i davs Ernr EnnLnnd with hat