Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-07-26

Szs-s-;S=s-s
duct is mio-repre4ented, should be deprived of
! the means of defence, or to request me to pub
lish " a due and respectful contradiction of nv
Comments upon Commodore Dccatur's letter,
Which arc the result of that officers improper
conduct, anu erroneous statements.
Ifmy paper contained falsehooi, il came
from a British officer high in rank and if His
Excelency THINKS proper, there are gentlemen in
BERMUDA, both civil and military who can prove
1t. 1t IL far from my nature tn apersevcrc in cr-
rsr," but Sir, have 4 character to support, and
possess, hope, that honorable feeling inherent
in the breast Of an Englishman and permit me
to observe Sir, that during nearly SIX years havc
edited Gazette, under the Roysl protection
never before was charged with altering awful
and deliberate falsehood.
The document his excellcncy wishes me tocon-
tradict y entirely Of pr.vaie nature, for which
am responsible ss an individual, nor can d be
understood that every observation IN the Royal
Gazette 10 published by authority, when it is-not
required, that public documents thould appear
IN that Gazette.
beg sir, you will further state to His Excel
lency the governor and commander in Chief that
If HIS E1ceiiency thinks proper TO transmit
contradiction of the concealment of the mon, e.
Their ottici a private, will instantly insert It
orl will ifhe wishes it, state IN the next Gazette
that the observations alluded 20, are my own
pr'va:e productions there $ no assertion con-
tanned IN them, but that com. Decatur has acted
improperly, which appears OH the very face OF
the transaction and shall request that a legal
enquiry be instituted into the conduct of Lieut..
Morgan HIS Character, s.r is seriously mpli-
GATED and it viii be but act of Justice to that
0ihcsr, to the British nation and myself, that
such an enquiry should take place; and that it
be Get eTmned by tribunal competent to dec de
whether that officer has propagated reports des-
ttute OF foundation, injurious 10 his character as
anoifcer.amsl whetherthe assertions ofcapt Hope
or himself, are most worthy of belief.
have the homer 20 be, SIR,
Your most obeit. servant,
C. Cooprn. Esq.
Secretary 10 the Goor. and cosndr Il: cliff
Bermuda
Government house, bermuda,
April 22d, 1915
SiR-it was not iii ve,'ertlav that ! .ece We
your letter OF the I7,h INST which have not
fai.c1 90 lay before his excellencv the governor
and commander in chief who instructs me to ex.
press u you his regret at finding It so little salts
factory. The long detail nto which Won have
entered bears very little upon the immediate.
point that called for his excellency's animalver-
slons and which was SIMPLY this-that upon the
United States Frgate President being brought ia
10 bermuda ey his maiesty's ship Fn,iymion YOU
punished 4 statement in YOUR paper which was
IN the utmost degree offensive to the feelings and
lnIrrious 10 the character Ofan enemy who be-
ing then prisoner and under the protection of
the British flag was entitled tn peculiar marks o.
respect and attention, and VIII ch capt Hope de.
cared 70 he totally Incorrect and earnestly re-
ques'ai ms CIV would int erfere to have ,nstantl,
and decidedly contrad cted. His exceilency IN
consequence, sent Tor YOU and explained to Won
the error vou had haen lei nto and the certainty
of the statement beng unfaunded, together with
his desre that the contrad c. OF of # might forth.
with he published. 10 Which Won immed ately
with great propriety assen,ed. Tou have since
thoGght tit to retrac that contradiction to state
your belief n the truth ofyOur former assertion;
and to Tecsst upon Com. Decatur the aspersions
from when Won had before relievedhim thereby
IN his excellency's conception most unfairly ira
ducng that officer, and exhibiting mos disres-
pecttul conduct both towards captain Hope, and
his ezcellency himself, who had before anno,mc-
ed To YOU the nc0rrec'ncss ofthe story.
This coEduc. h. excellercv Cannot possibly al
low to pass unEot,ced, and il ONLY rema MS for
you aga.u IN retract wha' vou have ae-,n Thought
st ~ publish in opposition to- such b gh and I'M
doubted authority. TfyGu have brought yourself
into an unpleasant pred .c2ment, his e7ce!encyis
sorry for IT. bnt It syourself alone whom YOU
have 90 blame, and us exceIlency's line Of duty
| trad ction, or ~ withdraw from your paper and
yourself, thus persevering in mistatement, the
| support which as his m.jesty's printer you have
hitherto enioyed.
o. course ne Their his exceilencv nor any one
else could Tor instant entertain the suppOstion
that his m.iestTS government would cOrhescend
I 40 become apa!ty 20 paragraph and ohservat ons
| pI"hshed IN vpur paper but MOST assuredly
such statements land more esDccaliy those upon
public matte 81 rccc We greater degree o. we gh
| from appcarn IN on Ofthpse papers which are
| profeasetllv distingrI shell by the patronage Of
government than he would otherwise obtu -
and i isthereFore Decul a"lv incumbent upon the
Editors VI 'hose papers II ascertain that he state
/ ments they 10 give are founded IN fact, or to
take the ear!.esi OpD5tunity cf correcting anv
error INFO Which they mag nadvcr emily have fall
| len.
! This IS the simple state OF the case. Into the
other details o. y0Gr letter his Exccllency does
not conceive tat all necessary to en- e. and it on
| ly remains for YOU therefore 70 decide whether
! YOU will think ft % pn5lish such sat 5flctory
explanation as hiq eIceliency has already felt il
bis duty to himself 70 the character Of the Brl-
tish nation anil OF tie British press, and TO the
p-rticg Immediately concerned 10 require ofyou,
or to give 10 he situation of his m,icstys prrn-
ter IN these Islands, and the tlile By which your