Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-05-11

From Inc !NeJS-l oFh OuNo ~ 0 F..
Translated from the Ministerial Gazette OF
Ebili of the esd of January 1918.
The u. S. frlgate Ontario, Capt. Biddle,
having left Valparaiso suddenly on the 3lst
ultimo. which, having excited various ru-
mors, we now publish. for the satisfaction
of all. the literal correspondence between
the Vice. Admiral of the naval forces OF
Chill (Lord Cochranel and Capt. Biddle.
No. Copy of letter from Lord Coeh-
rans to Capt. B,ddls, dated Valparaiso,
Dec. 81, 1918.
Sir-Ihave been much Aattered with the
visit with which you have honored me land
which consider as an honor done me, IN
consequence of the station hold as CON-
mander in chief of the naval forces Of the
government of Chill. | cannot forget the
respect due 10 you, and will call to see you
the first opportunity.
The fulfilling my duty 10 the govern
ment have the honor to serve, IS superior
10 all personal considerations, and there
fore beg permission to remind you, that
from the length of time you have been IN
public service, you cannot have been lett
ignorant of the fact, that when vessels OF
war of a foreign nation enter friendly ports,
it has always b. en- the custom to give apub-
lie salute 10 that flag. know OF but one
exception. which was, when the American
frigate Essex arrived at Gibraltar IN the
wear 1902, which vessel omitted to salute
the flag of Lord Keith, who was then the
ENGLISH Admiral on command at that STA
ton. The latter was of opinion that 1t
was the duty of the commander OF the Es'
sex to FIRE the customary salute, or IT ne re-
fused, he should leave the port Immediate
II. Instead o. saluting, the Essex lett the
port; but, on the arrival Of Com. lruxtoh,
ne not only saluted the vesse! which bore
the Admiraps flag, but, by the order OF the
same Commodore, the Essex left Alegeze-
ras for Gibraltar, and was ordered to fulhi
the compliment, not only for his former O.
mission, but for his anterior return.
For my part, | have no personal sen''-
ments on this subject; but allow me to as
sure you of my profound respect tor your
government and your person. l have the
honor, sc.
M Cant. Biddle to Lord Cochrane, do
ted on board The Ontario, before putpa-
raise, Dec. 90, 1918.
Sir-In answer to your letter OF yester-
day, have the honor to state, that the WISH
which made toyour lordship % my arri-
val. was in the capacity of an officer OF the
U. S. navy, and as mark Of my respect
for the commanding officer of the naval tor
ces of the CHILEAN government
know well that when vessel OF war
arrives in foreign port, it is customary to
fire public salute, and my knowledge OF
this circumstance was what induced me-
when entered this port in January, to
give formal advice of my arrival to the Go
vernon, and notify him, that would fire the
customary salute. if it would be answered
with an equal number of guns. Ny otter
to salute was not accepted, and consequent
IL. your lordship. will see with how much
p,opriety excuse myself from not doing
II.
have the honor to be, &c.
No 3-From Lord Cochrune to Capt. Bid.
die; dated Valparaiso, Dec. 2S. 1913.
Sir-I have received the letter with
which you favored me in answer to mine
of Yesterday, and beg permission to OBJ
serve, that being ignorant Of the rules OF
the American government as respects the
number of guns with which its command
ers are authorised to FIRE. in answering the
salutes Of foreign vessels Of war who en-
ter their ports, if you will give me your
rord ofhonor that the American command
ers uniformly without considering the COM
paratiye rank or the locality. to answer
with an equal number of guns the salutes OF
all foreign men of war, | will give new or
ders that your salute shall be answered in
the same way. Moreover, as in all ether
services with which have had commune
cations, il is customary that the admlrars
vessel should answer with two guns less,
the salute of the foreign vessels OF war,
which do moi bear the insignia of cores
ponding rank, my instructions, until this