Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-10-25

from Washington until he got joint letter before the Pre-
sden and his return to Philadelphia he informed ~ chat
he had accomplished his purpose and that the ships were
dered to go 10 some IN conversation with
Mr. Golsborough regarding his Naval Chronicle he inform
ed that he had searched the files Of the Navy Department
for that letter. but unsuccessfuy that wishing open
cond volume Of his Chronicle of the late war; and feeling the
importance Of the historical fact above ecited he had written
to Mr. Madison for copy Of but he replied that he could
not find among papers, and must have sent to the Navy
Department. il having relation to that service that may
have been lost in the removal Of the papers Of that Depart
mcnt the approach Of the British, burnt along with the
buildings.
In cooboraon Of what is above stated will here intro
duce copy Of letter from Mr. Godsborough Commodore
Banbidge and with which for the first time made
quainted few days ago
CosMoDoRE BAIsBRIDGE;
My Dear Sir In reply yours Of the 25 ultmo have
state that recollection Of having been in the city OF
Washington, with Com. Stewart after the declaration
against Great Britain and Of your having then written
letters addressed to the Secretary Of the Navy lone Of them
joint letter signed by yourself and Com. Stewart the other
private letter signed by YOURSELF is perfectly distinct think
venture that these letters written early in the
month OF July, 1872
present when these first read by the Se
cretary the Navy and subsequently read them myself The
subject in which individually felt deep interest,"
aud retain perfect recollection Of the under
which they written and Of their import and their
effect upon the policy Of the Government as understood it
at the tme with regard to the employment of the vessels Of
The opinion that il would be rash and impotc
tend the against the overwhelming force Of the
myhat to send ships would be to subject them
inevitable capturetat to retain the few ships then pos
sesed prudence and policy dictated that they should be laid
up in safe porpreyailed too generally in the city
the time, and confidently reported that majority OF the
Cabinet entertained the opinion and had the de-
the officers and Of the Navy the ports the
board mentioned this report You, and very after it
confirmed by OF the members If the Administration.
Upon hearing IT, you expressed great surprise and morca-
ton and Observed in positive terms that would
at setha il the proposed employment should be persisted
and engage in private service at sehat the danger appe
hended to Ships if sent sea, imaginary than
reahat the officers Of the navy knew how to take Of
their ships, and unworthy of the confidence Of the
Governmentthat they not only willing but anxious 10
encounter the dangers Of the erycetat il sent to sea- With
being eered by instructions combining their operations
particular but having discretionary authority to cruise
where their judgments should under all circumstances direct
which would greatly outweigh any losses might
experience Under the influence Of these sentiments you
official letter dwe copousy the policy Of employing all
national ships at seaponted out where the enemy most
vulnerable where they might be assaed with effect and
proposed division OF all dsroabe ships into three squad
rons, giving discretionary authority to the commanders
cruise wherever they might Judge most expeden The pri
letter depicted strong and glowing the Of
your feelings on the anguish mind you felt at
the idea of being compelled to give up commission
period when prospect Of acquiring honorable distinction
ed You urged the devoteness of the officers to the honor
of their counyhat they and the under them
worthy Of being trusted with the shipshat they feared
equal and knew how avoid superior force when necessa
that they be relied times Of emergency than
some Of the advisers of the President.
The official letter the Secretary the Navy pre-
sea Your private letter drew him while reading il several
times from his chair and affected him very sensb Having
read it. he very emphacay observed me- ioue The man.
s IS a % ls,,sr St 90 e lf9 INK ..
Soon after reading these letters the Secretary Of the Navy
the Presidents Cabinet Council understood
called and the official letter submitted The reuh
The adoption precisely Of the system therein recommended
may be seen BY reference to the official books Of the Navy
am my dear sir with great regard and esteem yours truly
CHS. w. GOLDSBOROUGH.
Mr. Godsborough in this letter confounds the two letters
and speaks as official letter. and Of both directed
the Secretary Of the Navy, well that which
tanned in them; he also is in to the time He says
they written early in July left Washington the
gid June What he refers to must have been when he f.
nay prevailed the Secretary oace joint letter before
the President time about the middle Of July, when,
cambridge informed me- (on his return to Philadelphia the
President said he would assume the responsibility.
The present Commodore Rdgey was at Washington, and
subs,antate many of the facts herein set FORTH He
in communication with me, had formed the
opinions Banbrdge and myself from fair estimate Of
Navy and that Of the British and urged to pesevere
efforts obtain sailing orders for vessels Of
The first public notice OF this transaction, that have seen,
may be found in The Life and Services Of Commodore Will
liam Banbridge, by DR.. j. Harris u. 3. ~, page 1875.
But here the details somewhat inaccurate into
which Dr. Harris has fallen refers the time and place of the
introduction of the Maedonans flag, by Mdshpman Ham
ion The did not take place at the Navy De-
partment II late night in December 1912, that Mid
shpman Hamilton arrived with the flag Of the Macedonian,
and dispatches of Com Decatur announcing the capture
that ship He sought his father the Secretary Of the Navy
ball with which the citizens Of Washington then
honorng me, in return for previously given by
board the Constellation The Secretary introduced the flag
of the Macedonian, and spread the floor Of the ball
The President permitted the Secretary to read aloud
the dispatches Of Decatur and then made the remark TO the
assembled company which has been recorded of him in Dr.
Harris's work s'H is 10 Comnodoses cambridge and
Setoarf that these picfories. at their an
staoe and strong solicitation that The ships ermiedt 10
90 10 sea and cruise"
With respect the doubt expressed that Commodore Rod
gers sailed from New York cito orders, hearing Of the
declaration Of war; the facts above related would appear
tabh that the Commodore did sail without cruising orders
from the Department. with the whole force under his
mand, which he had kept state readiness at the Mar
rotcs, with the view Of getting immediately aer the
declaration Further evidence is to be found in the Secreta
rvs order 10 me, in Washington the 22d June, to take the
brig argus from that squadron from which the only infer
is that the Government expected would find her that
port and positive still the order to Commodore
Rodgersshown by the chief clerk, Mr. Godsborough
moi TO sail with his squadron from New York; which would
have been dated the Goth Of June, 1872 They doubt
less forwarded TO him under Dr. John Bulus Navy
Agent New York. and returned the Department in
sequence Of Commodore Rodgers having sailed the 2ls Of
June.
The gorgeous mistakes and nlis-sfnemenfs Mr. ngcrso
makes in his history Of the Of 1912 renders II little
than a compilation Of facts foies, and faehoods few
examples embraced in three four pages sufficient
prove this Al page 375 he says Banbidge and HUH first
learned from Mr. Godsborough, the chief clerk Of the De-
partmen Of the determination keep the vessels Of in
port Hull in Washington at the time. Again, at
Tn L.. xl~N L.. o.