Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-05-06
Commodore DEcAruR.
REPLY.


GENTLENEN-I have received your flatter-
ing communication of this day. have TO &C,
knowledge the very great satisfaction feel AT
she sentiments which my fellow sitizens have
been pleased to express through YOU. of their
approbation OF my condact, and that of the
gallant officers and men whom had the hon.
or 10 command, in the UNEQUAL contest between
the United States frigate President. and s,nsd.
ron OF His Br'tannic Majesty's ships.
HE appreciation OF our coun,rvnen ;s of all
times gratifying, but it is particularly so in the
present instance when our best exertions have
proved unavailinr.
Wmie tender you the assurance of nv gra-
utuhe' have to regret that il is not in nv pow
er to accept the invitation with which ,,o,,
have honorei me, being on the eve of saline
with the squadron for the Medit.r aneap. every
moment OF my time is occupied by my official
duties. 3 '"o
respect, anu
have the honor to be,
Gentlemen, your obsdient servant
STEPHEN DECATUR.
Nicholas Fish, C. ID. Golden. c Pr;te I,-,.s
U h!ng, VIM. Few, WIN Irving, Waite, Bovine.
and Z. Dickey Esquires
New-York, 9th April.
NAVAL COURT OF ENQUIRY
Inc following is the opinion o. :he Court
OF enquiry, held on board tive u. s SION
Oh war ontario. IN the harbor of New York,
IN pursuance of the following orders.
Nary DehayIment,
IhrH 2Oth, 1918
nent, that. by the proca.. dines of a Court e
tnquiry III Great BRIAN, ordered tn i,ves.
uSate the Causes Il The loss of the Briti,h
Fieet on Lake Erie, on the 10Th of Septem
ger, 1913, the conduct of Captain Jesse d
s'Iio,t OF the U. 5. Navy, who commanded
'ae bns Niagara on that day, is nisret-e
Senfea justice to the reputation of Ca,,ta,n
tiiIott, and 70 the Navy of the United States
| requires that true statement of the facts.
IN relation TO his conduct on that occasion
oe exhicited to the world. The Court
| therefore, OK which you are President. will
immediately proceed to enquire into the
same 10 ascertain the part he sustained in
W. @c1'"h OF tilat day, and report its opinion
thereon to tniS Department.
am, very respectfully. your obedient ser.
want. ''7''' 50
b. w. CROWNINsHIELD,
I -cw 8LrrsHder MurTQD,
.New York
! The Court of Enquiry, convened at the
! request OF Captain Jesse d. Elliott. hs wins
! '~'peFaSely examined all the evidence GRO
duced before then, for the purpose of in.
vestiSaang MS conduct in the glorious bat.
Tie, on Lake Erie, on the 10th of September
1918 IL which he bore So conspicuous a
p"r'' sincerely regret, that there should
nave oeea any diversity of opinion, respect.
lng the events of that DAY, md imnerious
duty compels the Court 10 pronulgate res.
Vnony that appears, materially, TO vary in
some OF Its important points The Court,
however, feel convinced, thar the attepnt
to wresr from Captain Elliott the laurels he
gained IN that splendid victory, as second
Ia command, under the gallant and highly
TerItorlous officer, Captain Perry, ought
I'D no wise to lessen him in the opinion ofhis
fellow citizens, as brave and skilfri officer !:
ana that tue charge made in the proceed,
lngs OF the British Court Martial, BY which
| Captaln Barclay was tried, of his attempt
ing To withdraw from the battle, is mali.
cious ana unfounded in fact. On the con-
trary' i has been proved to the satisfaction
Oh inns Conrt, that the enemv's ship Queen
charlotte bore off from the fire of the Nia-
CARA commanded by Captain Elliot
| ALEX. MURRAY,
| President.
\ HENRY WHEATON,
| Judge .HdUocate.
| Approved,
B. w. CROWNINSHIELD.