Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-04
LosDox, Aug. 80.
BATTLE ON LAKE CHAMPLAlN.

Navd Court .Ha'tial--The Court Martial |
held at Portsmouth, ON board the Gladiator, on
Capt. Pring (the next Senior Officer after the
death of Capt. Downie, and the officers under
his comnSnd on Lake Champlain, closed its pro-
ceedingson Munday hast. The following il the
decision of the Court -
GO The Court having maturely weighed the evil
dence, is of opinion, that The capture OF his Ma
jesty's ship Coniiance, and tho remainder of the
squadron, by the American squadron, was priil-
cipally caused by the British squadron having
been urged INTO battle previous to its peing in a
proper state to meet the enemy, by the promised
corporations of the land forces not being carried
into effect, and by the pressing letters of Their
Commander-sn-Chief,w whereby it appears that he
had, on the 10th of Sept. 1914, only waited for
the naval attack TO storm the enemy's works &
the signal of the approach On the following day
having been made by the scaling of the guns, as
settled between Capt. Downie and MSjor Coore,
and which promised cooperation was commune
Gated to the other officers and crew of The British
squadron before the commencement of the acs
ton. EE
"The Court, however, is Of opinion, that the
attack would have been attended with more eff.
feet, IL part ofthe gunboats had not Withdrawn
themselves from the action, and others of the
vessels had not been prevented by battling winds
from getting into the stations assigned to them
that Capt. Pr ng, Of the Linnet, and Lieut..
the Conhance, after the lamented fate of Capt
Downie, whose Conduct was marked by the grea-
test valour, and Lieut.. Christopher Bell COM
manding the Murray, and Mr.. Robertson, COM
inanding the Beresford, gun boats, who appeared
10 take their trials at Tins Court-Martial, con-
Quoted themselves with great zeal, bravery, and
ability, during the artion-that l. cut. William
Hicks, commanding the Finch, also conducted
himself in the action with becoming bravery
that the other surviving Officers and ships crew
excepting Lieut.. Niche, of the Club, who has
nor appeared here to take his trial. also conduct
ed themselves with bravery and that Capt
Pring, Lieut.. Robertson, Lieut.. Hicks, Lieut. c.
Bell, and Mr.. james Robertson, and the rest of
the surviving officers and ships COMPANY, except
Lieut.. Niche, ought to be most honourably &C
suited, and they are hereby most honourobly sc-
Quilted accordingly"
Prom fhe London Glide, of Eng. %.
We have received the answer of the French
ministers to the official note addressed to them
by those of the Allied Powers, near three weeks
past, in which they appoint Military Goveinours
and order their troops to be Dispersed over the
provinces.
sds'ser effhe French Minister to the Official Nee
Of the Allied Sopereigns.
The Kings Ministers have received the of
hcial note addressed to them by the Ministers of
the Allied Powers. The latter wish topersuade
the Kings Ministers that the measures which
they have commanded TO the government of Paris
are such as may contribute to diminish the ex-
actions OF the war, and to re-establish the royaI
authority. The Kings ministers, however, iln.
fortunately, cannot regard these measures in that
point of view. They owe it to the Soyeregns, to
France and to themselves, to explain themselves
on this subject. The sovereigns, doubtless are
the masters, and can do whatever they desire, but
1t any rate let them not say, that in taking every
H.. A. -. ~ A Il -. . r.
that they with to confer any favor on hiIa There
is already in France too much odiuin and i'll Will
Sganst the Bourbons, 10 render L necessary still
more TO revolt every heart by making the NATION
experience the greatest losses and tie deepest
humiliations. What Humiliation can be more
affecting than to see in time or place all the de-
psrtmsnts subjected to your military governors
what misfortune more to be deprecated than the
dispersion ysur troops the whole iace of the
country The soyeregns declared that they
only made war against Napoleon, and yet ali Their
measures belle their words, since at the present
moment, when the war ought to be finished II IS
only about to commence.-The presen, position
of France is SO much the more affecting as were
war openly declared (Which it is not, It IS utter
1y impossible that she can suffer in a greater de-
gree all its evils, and all its horrors Every where
wherever the armies are (all excepting the En-.
ylish,) pillage lire, rape, and murder, have been
carried 10 their fullest extent avarIce and ven.
gcnance have left nothing for the officers or SOL
aiers to desre.--To speak with freedom, they
Sxceed even the atrocities of which the French
armies have been too often justly accused. The
measures, however, alluded to in your Nstes, can
hate no other results than to extend the limits of
this devastation The armies spread themselves
in our Provinces, and all the horrors which we
bSye depicted follow in their train. Such are
the sentiments of the King and his Ministers on
the Decree, and their answer to the appeal winch
has been made TO them.
"They have the honour to subscribe them.
selyes, with the highest consideration.
TALLEYRAND.
FoUCHE."