The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-22

sincerely hope that my conduct in this affair
may meet with your appreciation.
AS the Essex has been annoying about
Bermuda, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland,
iexpect shall have to run the gauntlet
thro' their cruisers; you may however
rest assured that all "a ship of ler size CAP
do shall be done, aud whatever may be our
fate our country shall never blush for us.
have the honor. &c. st,
(Signcd) d. PORTER.
Hon. PAIL Hamilton,
Secretdrv Of ne .Wavy,
Washington.
1.-THE following are the papers accompa-
nyng the preceding: viz. my Two letters to
captain Laugharne, with his answer, YER
bal and written, to the first "a copy OF the
passport given to lieut.. Wilmer and copy
of Capt. Laugharne's certificate, certifying
to the number Of prisoners put on board the
Cartel Alert.
.duguss 10. 1912.
SIR-An arrangement has suggested IT.
self TO me, which. in my opinion. is caiculu-
ted to advance the interest of the United
States, as well as that of his Britannia ma
jesty, and ii acceded TO by you shall be i'm
medfately put in execution should you OBJ
ject TO the tepms they will not after this be
repeated, and the treatment usual to pri-
soncrs of war will in future be observed to-
wards your crew.
ART. L. The Alert to be deprived of all
her armament. and to proceed under
charge OF an officer of this ship as a cartel
TO such British port as you may deem most
advisable, and to take your officers and
crew, together With the British captains and
mates of merchant vessels with their crew,
now prisoners on board this ship. V
Art. I'd. The officers to go on parole
OF honor, not to serve against the United
States OF America, during the existing war,
until regularly exchanged. The captains
and mates of merchant vessels and their
crews, as we'll US the petty officers, seamen,
marines, landsmen and boys composing
Your crew to be exchanged immediately on
their arrival in British port for an equal
number OF equal grades of American pr-
soners, and are not to serve against the u.
States until the exchange takes place.
ART. Sd. Fine sw ords of the officers to
be returned to them.
ART. 4th. You to remain, as a pledge
tor the faithful fulflment of the foregoing
articles.
have the honor, &C..
fsigne.) ID. PORTER.
Capt. I. L. p. Laugharne,
tate commander ofhis Il. M.
Siooh % war ALert-Present.
After delivering the preceding letter to
Captain Laugharnc, he verbally informed
me " That his officers preferred remaining
with him and sharing his fate. and as he
was confident that some of his ships com
pany were much prejudiced against him, he
did not wish them to go to Newfoundland,
until he could be present to appear in his
own justification, before they could have an
opportunity of injuring his honor and repu-
tauon as an officer, both of which he held
as intestmable, and as court martial could
not take place in his absence" He then
wrote me the following letter:
AuguSt18 1872
SIR have the honor TO acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of this days date.
Offering an arrangement for the officers and
crew OF his majestY's late sloop Alert.
In answer thereto beg to inform you
accept and agree to the first, second and
third articles, but permit me to mention my
objection to the last, as it seems by your re-
curing ME to remain as an hostage for the
performance of the preceding ones, to cast
(though am willing to believe unintentio-
nailY) and Indirect suspicion OH the faith of
the British government, sosuhiversally known
Tor It's iulhlment OF every compact entered
into by its public servants.
By your allowing me to accompany my
ships company and officers, will pledge to
you mine honor to see the articles of our re-
lease fully complied with Oh our arrival in
British port.
Should you object to this. my officers pre-
Ter remaining with me till we are regularly
exchanged.
have the honor, &c.
(Signed)
L. i. p. LAUGHARNE.
late commander of his
T. Majesty's sioop Alert.
- n en-
U. S. Ftfgate Essen.
.Aagws; IS, 1912.