The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1818-07-01

Saty how to vS oulcttcu bhtcI WesS VI scStfsi
engagements, unsuecessiul. Anc as dis
grsce is ever the attendants oil misfortune,
so sunk the amy In tho estimation OF Tie
pcopie.--Several brilliant victories at sea,
raised in proportion Inc character OF The ra-
Wy, until al length they gained The enthusiss-
tic admiration Of the nation. All the scbisv-
menis of the army, and they were not excel
led, could not afterwards excite cofrespon-
den, feeling in their faver. And in this way
il became frequent TO attribute TO the gallant
~ Of oar scamen, what should have Tedoui,icd
10 the fame OF our soldiers. IL is most pro5a-
bly, on this account, Capt. Elliott has torn
from the brow Of Colonel owsop, his well
earned wreath, and placed II on his owo.
Capt Roach and Lieut.. Freshman Of The
army also participated most gloriousiy in rha,
action, and yet they have never received the
notice due TO their gallsn,Iy and good con-
duct. Let me ASK Capt. Elliott, why he has
not done justice 10 these deserving sodie,s!
1t cannot be that he is unaoqa1inied with
their merits. He knows il weil.--They were
in the same boat with him when he boarded
The Detroit and lie also is not unscqosinte
with The fact, that Capt. Roach was the first
man who boarded that vessel. ! now une.
ouiyoca ally assert, that 10 Col. Towson belongs
the credit given 10 Csp,. Ehiolt.--Ihat al
though Capt. Elliott commanded The sxpe-
di,ion, Colonel Towson, who was in anott cr
boat, was " Second 10 nene," in securing the
success of that expedItion.--Nsy more, thar
Capt Elliott acted, as II were, but as an aux.
ilisry 10 Colouel Towsop and that, if the no
lice Of the government should have been dir
ected 10 any one indiyidua, Colonel Towson
! ought 10 have been that u.an..--l do most
| positively assert, (from information not 10 DC
| d,ubted) without The fear Of contradiction,
/ that Col. Tow:on, had captured the Calcdo-
! nia, before Capt Elliott boarded the Detroit.
| And yet the only mention made OF him by
Capt. EIiiots, in his Official Report, is as fol-
| lows +" To my officers and men feel under
! great obligations TO capt. rowson, aud Lieut.
I Roach, OF the I'd regimen Of artillery; En-
| sign Pfes,iHan, OK the infantry To -----
---- ----.' 49, / ioIbear To nco,ion their
names, for reasons which will bo peiteive.i
| for their soldier and sailor~.ke conduct la d
| word, every man fought Hiih their hearts All
iroa,ed only by the interest and bonos of The
| country "---In this way, bis services are no
| tic cd. His name is associated with that oi
one, whose soul never held manly feeling
| who was a recreant in bauie, and in heart q
coward who was not in the action who
never set a foot upon the vessel, until lhe
danger was past.--ll is not psoper now tt
disclose his naEie. Those who are acquaint
ed with the transaction, know TO whom al
ludc--Thoss who do not, need not He is
believe dead, and wish not to dislusb hi.
ashes. Colonel TowsoB was promised Bre
vet, for his great gallsn,ry and services upoI
this occasion. He never received It'll vii
not enter more minuteiy into the details 0
that action, as wish Capt. Elliott to have al
opportunity to step forth, acknowledge hi
fault, and do that justice to Col. Towsop
which for six years he has neglected."-lt 1t /
demanded from him, by those who have
right 10 expect ii, and we hope be will II,
louger hesi,ate. Should he neglect it, a p, o
per report will be made for him iaaing car,
10 give full and ample justice 10 every man
and nothing ex,enuate, or aught sc, dowi
in malice"
Tie names Of the persons here alluded 10. nay B.
found hs CaSf EHioHs later, as published IN Niles
| Usekly Register, Vol. }, fr6o i57