Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-06-08

Ell gun for gun. Upon my arrival at Val
paraiso, Lord Cochraue neither visited
me himself, nor did he send on board any
message OF civility. Although | was mol
Unmindiul that the advances towards al
Intercourse between us should most proper
ly come IRON him, yet waved this con-
federation as not being very important
and paid visit to Lord Cochrane. Did
he return my visit? No; but in two
hours after, received his letter remind
ing me of part of my duty, which he
thought had been long enough in the
navy to know, aud insnuating, that il |
did not fire salute he would turn me out
of the port. Had Lord Cochrane return
ed my visit, and ia the manner of gen.
tleman requested me TO salute, he might
perhaps have obtained by civility what he
certainly could not have extorted; for
trust shall ever continue so much like
yourself and the rest of my brother off,
GERS, as not TO be draaooned by Lord
Cochraue or by any other Lord, or by
any other man, into conduct which
might bring down reproach upon our flag.
Iu fact, had | been undecided about sa-
luting, the very letter OF Lord Cochrsae,
calling upon me in such style for sa-
lutte, would have determined me 10 re-
fuse it.
1t has been suggested, as motive Of
Lord Cochrane's conduct, that there were
on board the Ontario, passengers attached
TO the royal cause, and also million OF
dollars. The whole sum Oh board was
two hundred and one Thousand dollars. re.
ceived at Lima. of which $4,000 were
for Archibald Oracle e. Sons, of New
York; $4,000 for Mr.. Astor, of ".
York: 1000 for Mr.. EIlery, of Boston;
and the remainder was shipped by indi
yiduals in Lima, and consigned 10 indi-
viduais in Rio Janeiro. This circum-
stance could have furnished no cause of
complaint, as il is customary for our
ships of war, as well as those of other ma.
tions to do so. 1t is sanctioned by our
laws, and no doubt is entertained of its
propriely. During my cruize in the Pa
cific, two English men of war touched at
Valparaiso, having specie on board, which
they were conveying from Lima to Rio
Janeiro, nor was any dissatisfaction ever
expressed on that account.
With regard to the passengers attached
to the royal Cause, they were two mer
chants, one lady, and one officer. To
these two last, had consented to give a
passage, at the earnest solicitation Of the
vice king OF Peru. | did so, because
the vice king had yielded to my earnest
solicitation for the release of two Ameri-
can ships, the Beaver and the Canton, and
because he had, as personal favor to my
self, restored to liberty many OF our I'M
fortunate countrymen, whom found 10
the prisons of Lima, for having been
taken in arms against the royalists. Not
to have granted SO slight request, in re-
turn for such signal fsvours to my fellow
citizens, should have deemed total
want of feeling and generosity; nor could
lever have anticipated, that whilst l was
subjecting myself to the Inconvenience of
having strangers on board my ship, as a
return for benefits conferred on my coun-
trymen, was laying the foundation OF re-
proaches against me.
The circumstance of having Spanish
officer OIL board my ship, aud the special
reasons which induced me to receive him,
are stated in my detailed report OF the
cruize TO the secretary of The navy made
Immediately on my arrival in the United.
States.
10 maintaining the intercourse which
my duty required with the conflicting
parties in South America, it was difficult
to avoid exciting the jealousy of one or
both of them. Knowing the popular SEN
timent Of this country, and seeing many
Of our citizens actually engaged in hos
tilities against them, the Roy aIists were
particularly disposed to consider us as
inimicaI to them. A conduct at once re-
spectful and conciliatory towards them,
was due to the neutrality Of our govern
ment, and was no less essential TO enable
myself to act with effect in procuring the
release Of the property and persons OF my
fellow citizens 10 the power Of the royal
government. To this conduct owe the
success which attended my endeavors to
serve my country.
Very sincerely,
Your friend and obedient servant,
j. BIDDLE.