Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-05-14
RICHMOND. NAY "a.

t.JPE.IlN BIDDLE q w LORD CflCtfRdNE.
We eXraci AN article on this subject
from the Washington City Gazette: Tie
Editor of which denies that he has indis-
criminatelv justified The measures aud
conduct of SAe South American patriots.
and moreover defends Lord Cochraue
with very becoming Split against the
charge of his being renegade. On the
matter ei the salute itself, the Gazette
makes The following remarks:
The etiquette or propriety of giving a sa-
Duie, 10 the CHILEAN admiral, Was a subject not
touched on IN the paper of last Saturday,
This Gazette applaud> Capt. Biddle, tor his
conduct IN the hrSt Instance in not salutiiig the
ort of Valparaiso after the governors nom
acceptance or his offer 10 return gun for gisa ::
sc hope the star spangled banner Will never
scoop 10 violate the positive Instructions of the
Navy Department. on this point, to no power
OF earth. The breach of AN official order of
tbs tenor, would, no doubt, be;visited on the
head of any o!hcer who could be toRud so pro
disal of his country's honor, as TO throw it
away, by having his name struck oil the Navy
lis land his commission revoked. Bnt as re-
saids Lord Cechrane's conduct to Capt. Biddie,
the case rs different it was a mere matter of
courtesy, and Lord Cochrane frankly declared
thaihe had no personal considerations 10 gra.
tify'i aud that If Capt. Biddlc would assure
himlhat American commanders, in saluting,
require gun for gun, he OIord & } would give
ordes that the salute should be answered ia
The SINE ,cay Can any thing be more plain, or
couid tairer offer be made on the part OF a
foreien poweri"
'7h1Ih art. Of the Instructions of the Navy
Commissioners reEotiye 10 satntes, directs thar
Z" UhnG commanding officer orNchGrSiR any foreign
port htis 10 inform hi.SeJ hdt SatateS haze been
"s"dIIgqrem or receiced By officers ~ his rank, ~
other "tiOHS, AMI he is 70 bsist on recetviHs the
same marx Of reSPect Captains may salute foreign
ports icfh SHch number u g3hs snGy mare BEEN
cnsfcmd'g oH receiTing an assurance that ar usual
"um6er 'haU be returned bur githoat SHch
| uHCt, fHeg to salute"
10 tie Editor Of the Washington City Gazette.
SiR....fhe independence of your Joarual
| pleascs ne, and sour steady support of South
| American independence, must satisfy every
| one that you are a genuine patriot. But may
not your =sll in the Yindication of erfTy act of
| The patriots, and their commanders, lead sou
somet'ne's little too far Fer example, in
| your paper of the Sth inst. in allu>iOn To the
| correspondence between Capt. Bidde aud
LORD COchrtne, YOU condemn the officer of the
| Uhited STATES by" hoping that, hereafter, our
| government Will he more circuGSpect in the
| choice OF oificers for foreign service and me-
| yer employ any that are personally hostile
| to the gefral policy or sentiments of the
:" country thty may be despatched to-" Now,
sir, what artkhe tnctsl
| Capt. Bidllc on his first entering Valparaiso,
! III January, slS. voluntarily offered to fire IA
| sainte, provided il should be returned. This
was very courteous. when il is considered that
no government whatever has yet acknowledge
| ed the Chiian iag. Bnt this offer was not ac-
/
December, ISL. The renegade lord Cochrane,
invites him 10 salute. which he, in turn, does
! not accede "a. What is there unfair or uu-
| friendly in ills! If there was any affront in
the case, il WaS the flag Of ihe.U. States. for
their proiiereaIsalute was declined in The FIRST
| instance.
Lord CochTane has rendered himself ridi-
| culous IN the eyfs OF men OF sense, by the fri
voiliy OF his i1ttr Of criticism on captain Bid
dies expire ssOus relative To the custom of sd
! lutSS. Canaan II that al
tomary-bHt ti,s custom Is matter of courtesy
rs arbiiraIv- NOT resniAte hy s.i,iia.'..i
law aud maybe observed or not and in fac |
| Is not always observed. The brevity, spirit
and dignity OiCapt Biddle's letters, are finely
cOntraSied with the turbulent loquacity OF lord
Cochl dne's aud 1 fear, Mr. Elliot, that this
loid by dwelling toomGch upos tribes will do
more injury iam good to the patriotic cause oil
the ChaHS. When the Congress iTigaie an
rives IN the P.eIhc Ocean If bis lOriship does
Otiearn hetIefmanners. he will be taHc hi how
10 behave Iimssf with more cvility TO officers
OF the United safes AN AMERICAN
Day9, 1919.