The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1815-04-29

dissolved.
~ order fthe Sec. of War.
d. PARKER,
nj. e ms. Gen.
Washer on, April IS.
CAPTURE OF THE PRESIDENT. &c.
Ccty Of a teuerfrOm Can, l4lc4andrr bur
ray, Presidef Of Court Of Enqa,ry, late
ty held az New- Yak, 10 Investigate tile
causes 2ffhs culture cfhe u. States FIJI.
gaze President, 20 tie Secretary efthe ma
Uy, dated
:. NEwYoRK, April IL, 1915.
PSI Sikh herewith transmit to YOU the re :
suit of the Court Of Enquiry, respecting The
capture of the Frigate President, with the o.
pirion Of the Court
We have been the more minuteIin m,r In
vestIgation than might at first view have
been deemed necessary hut as there has
Deen diversity of opinions prevailing among
the British commanders, concerned in her
Capture. 1t was desirable in otlr view. to lav
before the world in The most correct manner
every circumstance that led to that event
winch has afforded another high proof of
American heroiSn. and so highly honorable
to Fer comrnander, officers and crew. that
every American citizen must feel a pride in
knowing that our fas hath teen So nobly de-
tended"
The minutes of the court having been read
and approved, the court was cleared. and. IF
ter due elaboration, resolved TO express the
sentiments aud opinions of the members, on
the matters submitted to them as follows:
IN execution Of the orders Of the Honura
Die the secretary of the Navy, we have with
tne option OF two very young nidshipmen)
examined every officer belonging to the Pre-
sident, within the reach OF the court. who
survived the late glorious contest between the
fnghte President and a squadron of his h.
M iestv
We are OF opinion, tat the primary cause
or the loss of the President, was her running
on the Oar as she was leaving this port. The
violence and continuance of the shocks she
received for an hour and a half or more, con-
sloerng thft she was laden with stores and
proYIslons tor very long cruize, could not
but nave injured her greatly, and must have
impcded her sailing Her hogged and twist, a
appearance after sbe arrived at Bermuda.
must have been the effects Of this unfortunate
accident. We are CONVINCED that it was oy-
ing to tins that the enemy were able to over
take her -
The striking of the President or the bar
Cannot be imputed to the fault Of any officer
who was attached t. her on the contrary
we think every possible precaution was taken,
and the utmost eXertioms were used by her
Commander and officers, to ensure her safe
passage over the bar, and to relieve her after
she had struck. The accident was occasion.
ed by some mistake in placing the boats which
were to serve as beacons for the President
through channel always DANCE Gus for a
vessel OF her draught but particularly so at
such time as she was obliged 10 select for
passing it, when the land marks could not he
distinguished.
From the time that the superiority of the
enemy's force was ascertained, & it became
the duty OF the President to evade it. we are
convinced that the most proper me- assures, were
parsued, and that she made every possible eff
fort to escape. No means, in our opinion .
were so likely to be attended with success, as
chose which were adopted by Com. Decatur.
ANY suggestions that different measures would
have been more proper or more likely to ac-
compllsh the object. we think, are without
foundation, and may be. the result of igno-
rance, or the dictates Of a eulpable ambition.
or of envy. ~
We consider the management of the Pre- =
sIdcnt from the time the chase Commenced
till her surrender, as the highest evidence of
the experience, skill and resources of her
commander, and of the ability aud seaman
ship Of her officers and crew. We fear that
we cannot cypress in manner that will d
conduct Of Commodore Decatur, d his off
GERS AMI crew, while engaged with the enc
my, threatened with a force so superior, pos
sesslng advantages, which must have appear
ed to render all opposition unavaling, other
wise than as it might affect the honor of our
navy, and the character of our seamen. they
fought with spirit which no prospect of sue
cess could have heightened, and, if victory
had met its common reward, the Endymion's
name would have been added to our list of ma
val conquests. In this unequal conflict the E.
nemy gained ship, but the victory was ours.
When the President was Obliged to leave
the Endymion to avoid the other Ships which
were coming fast up, the Endymon was sub
dued and if her friends had not been at
haut 20 rescue her, she was so entirely disa-
bled chat she soon must have struck her flag
A proof of this is. that she made no attempt
to pursue the President, or to annoy her by
single shot while the President YVES within
her reach, when, with tn hope Of eecape
from the overwhelming force which was near.
ly upon her, the President presented her
stern to the Endymion's broadside. a further
proof that the Endymion was conquered is,
the shattered condition in which she appear
ed, while e President in the contest with
her had sustained but little injury and the
{ ct that the Endymion did not jJin the squad
ron till many hours after the President had
been surrounded by the other four enemy
| ships, and had surrendered TO them, IS strong
cOrrOborative evidence of the disabled state
in which the President LEFT the Epdvmion