The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-11-11


ing after the Argus, aud that alter the Psh-
csa returned to Cork, where the facts relative
10 the engagement, &c. must have been
known, aud were TO doubt correctly stated in
the Cork Chronicle.
The Ministerial prints took very good care
not 10 rspublish the account containing the a.
bovc paragraph, as the introduction (s The
Americans suanted another proof cf British
snherioriiy on the Ocean. The Pelican has
aDorded IL in Me cahfure Of she .HrgHs" to
the account published by them would have
been effected by it--in fact, il would not suit
their purposes.
y 1t has been stated in many Of the London
and other English prints, that Just as Cap.
Nahiss was laying The Pelican along side far
The hurtose Of boarding, The americans struck"
and +" The ohhonents closed, and after con-
fest Of 40 minutes, Caht. 1fqhtes gaze direc-
ion8 for boarding on her sfaysoard 6ow, and
abe 1vae instantly carried, rte HmericGns max
ing no resistance gyha!eDer and running belor2,
&c. From these state ments many of our fel-
low-citizens have thought, and perhaps still
think, that the surviving officers and crew of
the .Argus behaved cowardly in not making
an effort 70 repel the British when they at
tempted to board her: But taking into con-
sidera,ion the first paragraph i'll this coIamu-
nication, which have correctly quoted, 10
one, am persuaded, will wonder at their
surrender, or will harbor 10 his breast for
moment hereafter thought SO unjust, so un-
charitable, and so directly opposite TO what
the enemies of the United States thiEk and
have repeatedly acknowledged, that "fhe IL
merfcaHs are a brave people,"
"a sf<,s
the British boarded and Instantly carried the
drgEs, and " as The action closrd," the Leon
idas fell in with them, OF coarse she could
not have been great distance off (not more
than z or 8 miles at farthest to have fallen IN
with them in 40 minutes, the whole time OF
the action as stated by tho British accounts)
when the action commenced, and no doubt
neared them every moment during the con
tinuance of it. 1t is not to be wondered ct
that the officers and crew of the Argns sur
rendered uader these circumstances, when q
38-gun frigate was close aboard OF them, and
knowing if they contended any longer with
the Pelican (admitting there was possibility
OF capturing her, or at least prevent bsing
captured) il would be useless, as they would
finally be taken by the Leonidas, (he shatter-
cd condition of the Argus making il impossi-
Bile tor her to escape,) they very prudently
surrendered, saving thereby many valuable
lives, which, in all probability, would have
been sacrificed, had they defended Themselves
any longer, particularly in SO desperate q
manner as repelling boarders.
Upon the whole, the American character
has lost nothing by the capture Of the Ddrgns
but on the eontrsry,shincs with greater lostrs
than ever-for if weasel of the size of LIN
hryus, meets boldly brig of war az nssSd
superior to her in point OF size and force rs
the Pelican was, with 3s-gun frigale in
sigh, al the time, and continues to fight her
while the frigate is approaching nearer TO her
every monent--we want no further proof oil
the courage and bravery of our oountrymen
Than what such an action would afford, and it
needs no other comments in addition, for the
simple fact OF itself is comment sufficient.
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