Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-01-25
From the London Sf.n.
LOSS OF TIE GUERRERO.
CAPT. DACRGS' ADDRESS
To the President and Members af the cosrt.
Marital


Mr.. President and Gentie7nen of tie cou~t.
I BY my letter Il Admiral SAWYER and the
narrative OF the principal officers, trust YOU
wall be satisfied that every exertion Was used
IN defending the ship, as loag as there was he
smallest prosp,c CT of the resistance being OF any
use In my letter where mention the boar
Slcrs being called, it was nv intention, after
having driven bacS the enemy, to have boarded
IN return and in consequence ordered down
the tirst lieutenant On the main deck to send
every body up from the guns but finding his
deck hiied with men, and every preparation
to receive US, il would have been almost i'm.
possible Tor US to succeed. ordered the men
down TO their Quarters, and desired Mr.. Kent
20 direct part OF his attention TO the main deck.
the lieutenant being killed. The -.nan mast
tell without being struck by single shot. the
hcart OF the mast Being decayed 4 il was CARR.
ell away solely by the weight ofthe e, e-mast--S.
though every thing was done, we could not
SUCCEED IN getting he ship under command
AMI on the enemy wearing ronni to rake us,
without our being able to make any resistance.
md alter having used every cxert,on, to the
best OF my utilities, found myself Obliged to
order the colors to i've struck which nothing
but the unmensgeablr state Of the ship (she
laying perfect wreck) could ever have indu.
ceo me TO do, cOnceiving it was my dutynot To-
sacrifice uselessiy the lives of the men, without
anY prospect OF success, or of benefit 10 their
country.
&c o the lorboarl side about thirty shot had
taken effect, about five sheets Of copper down,
and the mzea mast had knocked LARGE hole
und T herstHrboayd coun,er, & she WAS so com.
pietely shattered, that the enemy found 4, was
Impossible TO retit her sufficiently TO attempt
carrying her into por I, and they set Arc TO her
rs soon rs they got the wounded oui. What
considerably weakened my quarters, was per-
hitting the me:icans belonging TO lie Shin
20 quit their quarters on the enemy hosting
the colors OF that nation, which though, it tlepri-
rcd me tthc men, / thought it was my du-
".
SCI felt much shocked, when on board the
! ConauWtion. 60 End LARGE proportion of his
ships company, British sea,nen, altd many OF
whom recognized as having been foremcst in
| the ATTEMPT 10 board.
notwithstanding the 'mluciy issue of he
ALTAR, such confidence nave i IN the cxcrtions
Ut 'he officers and men who belonged 30 the
| Gucrrerr, and am so aware thai (l,c success
oi my opponent was owing 10 fortune, Thai it IS
| my earn 81 wish, and would he lie happiest
| period OF my life, to be once more opposed TO
the Constitution, with them under my com.
mand, in irigate OF a similar Ayce TO the
| Guerrierc.
g Cannot help noticing that the attachment
! OF the ships company in general to the service
| OF their king and country reflects on them the
highest credit; for though every arr was used
| TO encourage them 70 desert. and 10 invcigIe
! them into the American service, Nv high boiIn.
ties and great promises, by the American ofIi-
Gers, IN direct contradiction 20 the declaration
to me, hat they did not wish such thing );
only eight Els!ishmcn have remained behind.
two only Of which number have volua. eered
tor their service.
:" Leaving the characters ofmv officers and
| ship's company, rs well ny own, 90 the deci-
sion OF this HonouToblc Court, the Justice of
J "hoSe sentence no person can presume 10 cues
| ton, close my narrative, craving indulgence
Tor having aiken up So much Of their time"