The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1815-05-10
Tsp WaiI.
Capture of the President, &c.

~ held az NeV- York, 10 inveSHgafe fhe can.
SIS Of she capture Of fhe u. s. Jr,gate Prs-
ideas, 10 she Secretary Of he Navy, ddi d
New-Yo.k, April IL, 1915.
SIR--i herewith transmit TO you the re-
suit OF the court OF inquiry, respecting tbe
capture of the irigate President, with the O.
pinIon of the court.
We have been the more minute in our
investigator than might at h,s; view ,bayt
been deemed Necessary but as there has
been divUrsny ot opinions p 'evailing ans rs
the Bliish esmmandefs, 'onesIned IN her
capture, IL wss desirable 10 ouI view, To lay
before the world Ia the most cor,ect manner
every Circumstance that led TO that event,
which has shoioed another high proof of A
merican he oiSnI, and 80 highly honorable 10
her commander, officers and crew, that every
American citizen must feel pride in know
ing,hat our flag has been so noby defended"
The inmates of The court having been read
and approved, the court was cleared, and, al
ter due deliberation, resolved to express the
sentiments and opinions OF the members, on
the matters submitted TO them as follows
In execution Of the orders of the honorable
the Secretary OF the Navy, we have with the
exception OF two very young mIdshipmen)
examined every officer belonging TO the Pres
ident, within the reach of the court, who sur.
viyed the late glorious contest between the
frgale President and squadron of His Brit
annie Majesiy. =
We are of opinion, that the primary cause
OF the loss Of the President, was her running
on the bar as she was leaving this port, The
violence and continuance OF The shocks she
received for an hour and bali or more, consld.
cring that she was laden with stores and poo.
visions for vety long cruizc, could not but
have injured her greatly, and must have i'm
pedcd her sailing Hes hogged and twisted
appearance afler she arrived al Bermuda,
must have been the effects of this uniorlunate
accident. We are convinced that it was ow.
ing to this that the enemy were able 10 over
take her.
The striking Of the President on the bar
cann0t ur impuIeu 10 Sho faui, vr auy uffi T. r
who was attached to her Oh the contrary we
think every possible precaution was taken,
and the Utmost eXertiops were used by her
commander aud officers, to ensure her safe
passage over the bar, and TO clleve her af er
she had struck. The accident was occasion.
ed by some mistake in placing the boats.
which were to serve as bracons for the Pces-
dent, through channel always dangerous Tor
a vessel of her draught, but particularly SO at
such time she was obliged 10 select for
passing 1t, when the land marks could not DC
dlstIng uished.
From the time that the superiority of the
enemy's force was ascertained, and it became
the duty Of the President TO evade il, we are
convinced that the most proper measures
were pursued, and that she made every pos.
sible effort to escape. No means, in our o.
pinion, were SO likely TO BE attended with sue.
cess, as those which were adopted by commo-
modore Decatur. Any suggestions that diff
terent measures would have been more pro-
per or more likely to accomplish The object,
we think, are without foundation, aud may be
the result Of ignorance, or the dictates of a
culpable ambition, or Of envy.
We consider the management Of the Pres
iden. from the time the chase commenced ell
her surrender, as the highest evidence of the
experience, skill and resources Of her COM
mander, and of the ability and seamanship Of
her officers and crew.
We fear that we cannot express, in man.
ncr that will do justice 10 our feelings, Que
admiration of the conduct of Commodore
Decatur, and bis officers and crew, while
engaged with the enemy, threatened with
force so superior, possessing advantages,
which must have appeared TO render all op-
position unavailing, otherwise than as il
might affect The honor OF our navy, and the
character Of our seamen. They fought with
split which no prospect Of success could
have heightened, and. if victory bad met its
common reward, the Endy mioD's name would
have been added 10 our list Of naval conquest.
In bis unequal conflict the enemy gained a
snip, but the victory was ou's. When the
President was obliged 10 leave the Endymlon
to avoid the other ships which were fast CON.
ing up, the Endymion was sobdued ; and il
ber friends had not ben Il hand TO rescue
her, she was SO entirely disabled, that she soon
must have struck her l,g. A proof of this
j., chat she made no attempt TO pursue the
President, or TO annoy her bya single shot
while the President was within her reach,