Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-09-16

would perhaps have suffered in the estimation of
my country, from this inconsiderate, not criui-
nal, conduct.
| My extensive operations on the coast of Cuba
are matter of public notoriety. The official ac-
counts were. at the time, published by the Govern
ment; and, in the emphatic language Of the Score
'ary OF the Navy, afford satisfactory evidence of
my activity and success in the discharge of NV
duty. The testimony of every officer Who served
with me has proved the fact; and. in the lew cases
IN which recalled boats, can only state that it
was Tor me to be the Judge of sucha measurs; nor
was bound TO give my reasons for SO doing to say
| own officers. :.
The third and fourth specifications under This
hrst charge, allude to the same occurrence They
accuse me OF receiving insults and incgnities Fl ON
TWO spanish vessels OF war, without repeIling the
same; and without requiring or obtaining any adc-
quate atonement. This charge has been most fully
and n'nulely investigated by the Court. On the
essential points connected with it, no variance of
opinion exists in the testimony of all the Witnesses
examined On those of minor consideration
some iacis are related differently; can this be
wondered at, Tor time must have impaired the re-
collection Of many incidents, in the minds of men
engaged in the arduous duties of prof, ssional life
Inc acts oil this case are simply and briefly these
anu think they are completely prov ed by every
witness who has been examined in relation to them
Early on the morning OF the 7h OF July, on my pas
sage from St Bartlolomews to St. Thomas Mr.
Kingston, who then officer of the watch. re-
ported to me that two sail were in sight i'm
rnedateiy went on deck, and on looking at then,
| with my glass, discovered they were vessels of
war; one iull-rigged brig; the other hermaphro-
oite Instantly directed the officer to beat 10
quarters and prepare for action, and then ran down
between them with the flag of the United States
hying, they showing Colombian colours. Sup
posing the fu-rIgeed brig to be the vessel of the
greater force, and commanded by the senior officer
l seered for her: on our course. and while ps sing
| me hermaphrodhe brig, she fired gun, which was
promptly returned. Ii, as is stated, the gun was
not directed the vessel il was in consequence of
our peculiar position no, permitting tito bear on
her, but cer,sinly no, from any orders of mine nv
great OBJECT was to return promptly the fire. On
nearing the full-rigged brig, gun was received
rom her, and Instantly returned by my ordess.-
Ihis brig then commenced fire upon the Porpose
was standing, at this ime Oh the .raffre platform
on an elevated situation, closely observing her with
my glass: her crew appeared in great coniusion-
Oh hearing the balls OF the muskeiry pas me- [
directed Mir. Curtis TO immediately and man
the iarboard guns, with the intention of ranging
under the briggs quarter, and giving her cur broad
SIDE In the performance of this act an while the
men were hauling in the main sheet cast glance
| at the boom, observed II coming over slow, and
thouSht mad time 10 take another look at the
enemy with my glass, before il reached me- When
however, 1t was nearly a-ndshps, the sailed filled
on the oiher side, and then came with such force
ihe deck, before could accomplish my intention I
Curtis ran am on he head and fell senseless. Lieut.
believe II was the opinion of all on board TIA,
/ was shot. When first recovered knew mo, H.
extent OF the injury had received, nor had i any
i recollection OF what had occurred The first i'm
preston made my mind by the information re-
ceived was; that the firing had ceased. then di-
rec'ed f'r Curtis 10 board and examine the brig,
and demand the cause of the unwarranted attack
aft oh,
oticer came on board; he informed me he had been
SEM with an apology from his commander, and his
own commission Tor my inspection asked him
to walk below, and stated that would examine IL
At this zine was suffering severely from the blow
on my head. The officer spoke English, and pre-
scented me bis commission, signed by the King OF
SPAIN | took from il memorandum of the name
and iorce of his vessel, and from him that of the
hermaphrodite brig. He stated that both were
national cruisers, from Cadiz and had lately arrived
IN those seas, and declared The of his COM
inander at the circumstance which had occurred, ;
asserting that it the act Of his men, and unau-
thorizcd BY him; and he stopped the firing as soon
as he was able He then rendered any apology
r would require.
AT this time, I was informed The brig was nearing
us came on deck, and hailed Mr.. Curtis to come
on board. did not hear his reply. nor did ever
learn 1t, either from himself Others, until long af-
terwards. When Mr.. Curtis came on board, he
reported to me that the vessels were his Catholic
Majesty briggs BOWS and Palmyra, from Cadiz on
crule; that he had examined the commission of
the formers which appeared legal and that the COM
nandCE expressed himself IN terms Of greet reerrt
{ Tor the affair that had taken place. The Spanish
officer was sent board by boat from my vessel.
lis own having been stove along side; and on the
return of that boat, received the apology presented
: 10 the Court.
Such, Gentlemen, is plain, unvarnished tale of
The whole transaction in this case; and trust that
you will agree with me, that in every important
point it is fully supported by the evidence.
When the affair have now related took place
had Just arrived in the Wndward Islands. I had
received 10 information OF pirates, nor OF depreda-
| lions committed on our commerce BY them; there
tore, at the time of this occurrence was under the
luli BELIEF that both the vessels national brgs
OF WAY, and, as SUCH, l received from their com
mauders the apology have laid before YOU The
result Of this affir has been a source OF pain
ul recollection to my mind, for opportunity cer-
ainly afforded aircr field for ambition; and
ever have, and ever shall regret. The impedrnent
which Providence nterposod TO check that course
, of conduct had marked out for myself
THE SECOND CHARGE.
Conduct Unbcc0Hag an officer and Geniien1n.
The first specification thereof, is that had re-
fused 10 receive ladies' and other persons on board
the Porpose, (in unohcer-like and ungentlsDan-
like inanner under certain circumstances of al
legged distress In support Of this charge, no other
testimony u produced than that of Mr.. Hook, The
present Collector OF the port OF Castine; and sub
init TO the consideration of the Court how far, by
his own statement, that gentleman was authorized
making so ungaant charge against an officer, who,
he has solemnly sworn, be did not recognise, bot
only believed 10 lie the one v no made him tile re-
ply--and what the reply1 That United States