Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-23

Interest Of the country, the safety Of the ConstNu
ton, and Com. Nicholson pledgug himself TO be an
swerabe for lry deviation from the orders of Som
Truxtun, / consented TO cruise few days, in the
uourse of which petition was received by Comm
Nicholson, from the merchants of Charleston, pray
ing he would take ont u convoy of about 20 sail OF
merchantmen to Havana; ca receipt of which he
requested ire 20 confer with him Oh the subject.
went immediately on board the Constitution, and OH
being informed of the request of the merchants OF
Charleston, expressed my regret that it not i'll
arg power to comply herewith, and my opinion that
the Constitution would ac sufficient protection for
the convoy. Com. Nicholson said, it his wisl,
to comply with the wishes of the merchants of
Charleston but that he should decline going with
out me. repeated my inability to comply with his
wishes, adding, that had already deviatcd from my
ORDERS and could on account feel myself justified
in any further deviation, and therefore could not
company him.--Com. Nicholson then said Inc had
hoped for my compliance without positive order,
and that if Com Truxtt,n had been present, he con-
sdcred nc had the power to order Com. Truxtun
himself, 20 accompany him. had no alternative
but TO acguieScc. Com. Nicholson then ordered me
10 take the ship into the harbour of Charleston, and
obtain such supplies as l needed, and order all
vessels that wanted convoy to be in readiness, and
that the Constitution and Baltimore would pro-
coed with them to Havana. The feet came out,
received their signals, and made sail, the Con-
stitution leading, and the Baltimore remaining IA
stern.
In "a hours, we were l., the Gulf, and, at night,
encountered violent gale of wind, at s. w. with
heavy sea, and i'll the morning, discovered by sigral
that the Constitution had sprung her bowsprh, and
standing before the wind, under doabie rcefed
foretepsal made all the sail my ship could bear,
goiag 10 knots but could not up with the Con-
stituton. Fearing the masters OF the fieet would
think that both ships had abandoned them, (havigg
left it far to windward, and the Constitution not
shortening sail, gave rip the chase, and returned
to the fleet render such protection rs was able,
and on rcjoining, gave "a set of Signals, with
which continued course i'll safety (haying
seen but one vessel which, taking for privateer,1
chased i'll among the rocks, the northeast part OF
the Isle of Cuba,) and we fell i'll with the British
squadron under the command Of Com Loring. Such
are the motives which induced, and the that
compelled INC, second time, to afford protection to
American property, and from the port of Havana.
have thus endeavored to account for my accepting
the invitation of Com. Loring to visit his ship Car
matte, and have given my reasons for going second
time to Havana without commission, which hope
will satisfy the mind of every candid man who may
think the history of this unfortunate occurrence
worth his perusal. / have now to ask the favour /
of you inform me, and hope you will excuse the
request, whether Better from Com. TruXtun, eX |
pressing his opinion of this affair received at
the Navy Office while you were in that department?
II such letter received, can you inform me if
It Is now probably in existence, and where 1t may |
,e found And, your recollection of the contents
S probably as fresh on many subjects connected |
with with this tranSa cticp can YOU favour me with
your recollections of the coneuts OF that letter.
i remain, with great respect,
Yerr obi. humble servant,