Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-04-27
WASHINGTON CITY, April rs.
CAPTURE of the President, &c

WASHINGTON CITY, April rs.
Capture of the President, &c.
Copy of a letter from Com Alexander
Murray, President Of a Court Of En-
q,,iry, lately held at .Nsuo-York, to IN
restigate the causes Of the capture Of
the q. s. Frigats Pres dent, to the Sec
retary of the Macy, dated
New-York, April II, 1915.
SRI herewith transmit to YOU the
result of the court Of Enquiry, respect
ing the capture cfthe Frigate President,
with the opinion of the court.
We have been the more minute in our
investigation than might {. first view have
been deemed necessary; but as there has
been diversity of opinions prevailing a
mong the British commanders, concerned
in her capture, it was desirable in our
view, to lay before the world in the most
correct manner every circumstance that
led to that event, which has afforded a.
mother high proof of American herasm,
and SO highly honorable to her comman-
der, officers and crew, that every Anne
rican citizen must feel a pride in knowing
that our flag hath been SO nobly defend
eds
The minutes of the court having been
read and approved, the court was cleared,
and, after due deliberatioD, resolved to
express the sentiments and opinions of
the matters submitted to them as fol.
lows:
In execution of the orders of the Hon
orable the Secretary of the Navy, we
have with the exception of the two very
young midshipmen) examined every Off
Ger belonging to the President; within
the reach of the court, VINO survived the
late glorious contest between the frigate
President and squadron of his 3. Ma
jesty.
We are of an opinion, that the primary
cause of the loss of the President, was
her running on the bar as she was leav-
ing this port. The violence and CONT
nuance OF the shocks she received for an
hour and half or more, considering that
she was laden with stores and provisions
for long cruise, could not but have injur-
ed her greatly, and must have impended
her sailing. Her hogsed & twisted aP-
pearance after she arrived at Bermuda,
must have been the effects of this unfortu-
nate accident. We are convinced that
it was owing to this that the enemy were
able to overtake her.
The striking of :he President on the
bar cannot be imputed to the fault of any
officer who was attached to her; on the
contrary, we think every possible precau-
ton was taken, and the utmost eXertons
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 occasionea by some
mistake in placing the boats, which were
to serve as beacons for the President,
through channel always dangerous Tor
a vessel of her draught, but particularly
so at such time as she was Obliged TO
select for passing it, when the land marks
could not be distinguished.
From the time that the superiority OF
The enemy's force was ascertained, and 1t
became the duty of the President to e.
wade it, we are convinced that tie most
proper measures were pursued, and that
she made every possible effort to escape.
No means, in our opinion, were SO likely
to be attended with success, as those
which were adopted by Com. Decatur.
Any suggestions that different measures
would have been more proper or more
likely to accomplish the object, we think.
are without foundation, and may be the
result of ignorance, or the dictates OF
culpable ambition, or of envy.
We consider the management OF the
President from tie time the chase COM
menced till her surrender, as the highest
evidence of the experience, skill and re-
sources Of her commander, and OF the a,
bility and seamanship of her officers anu
Crew. We fear that we cannot EXPRESS
in manner that will do justice to our
feelings, our admiration ofthe conduct OF
Commodore Decatur, and his officers and
crew, while engaged with the enemy' !
with force so superior, posses
sing advantages, which must have appear
ed to render all opposition unava1lns' O.
therwise than as it might affect the honor
Di our navy, and the character OF our sea
nen. They fought with a spirit which
40 prospect of success could have been
added to cur list of naval conquests:
In this unequal conflict the enemy gained
shin hut the victory WAS nura. When |