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

has umphed all the naves Of Europe, and Of nations
too, long skilled and pracised IN maritime warfare
We did best 10 these searching remarks Of the
Secretary, and what said seemed to make deep impress
sion upon him. He from his chair and observed that he
would if the President leisure, in order that
might communicate to him in person the views and noma-
ton we had just set forth few moments after
summoned the presence Of Mr.. Madison. Mr. Hamilton
desired u.s. for the information OF the President the
questions he proposed to put to Mr. Madison asked
questions but listened to what was said then rising, he adj
dressed Mr. Hamilton and said they ought not to despair Of
Navy that though its numbers small and ever had
BEEN still its conduct in the Revolutionary war, and SINCE
admonshed them that it would do its duty Yes, sir
said, g it viii ? and added, with the energy his encouraging
words inspired be assured that out of every
ten with any thing like equality Of force will result in vico
for country But sir do say that may not
lose ships by being captured the numbers Of the enemy
vastly exceed that after successful encounter
part fresh ships may up while in crippled
state and capture them, and retake their own. To these
remarks Mr. Madison replied H victories II
you gpe them, and you lose your ships afterwards they
berepLced By Others" lie then informed Mr.. Hamilton
that he would assemble his Cabinet eight o'clock that
ing and submit the subject for their reconsideration with the
information he had received from Late that evening
awaited Mr. Hamiltons return to his house. He inform
ed to extreme disappointment that all change in the
disposition Of the vessels Of had been overruledMr
Monroe being the only member Of the Cabinet that
sioi ,cho advocated the ships being sent 10 sea.
For himself he admitted his distrusti that he in
Office unacquaned with the service the officers and men,
dered the smanes of naval force the enemy
that would coast the rigid bockades that
would be instituted of ports and habors and by ships
peor in force to gates these circumstances had deter
red him from urging the in Council with the energy
he would have done had things been otherwise that he
fully satisfied that believed all had said to him hut,
nevertheless there many strong reasons existing his
mind against the results being favorable all could
DESIRE that his conscience would acqut him it, by send
ing vessels sea, the germ Of Navy should be lost
He expressed the hope that would not leave Washington
for few days. he wished advice in reference other
matters connected with the Navy We took leave and
returned the hotel under melancholy excitement created
by unsuccessful efforts get the vessels Of to
We entered Bainbridges room, when he observed to
that he had understood in Philadelphia that building
vessel for pnvateer; that if not permitted to to
the SERVICE he should like to take part and command
her, if did intend go myself; but if going in
her he would take half and go with me, and would
and alternately, which would be preferable being Cop
hogesd in New York, blockaded there in gate during
the In such he would relnqush the command Of
the Charestown Navy Yard his there and roW
up his commission. told him did intend going in her
myself and that he should be welcome the command
the terms mentioned. This proposition made by
Banbrdge in a moment Of excitement.
The prvaeer referred to by Mr. Inserso then building
at Kensngton Ny purpose to aid the by contr-
butng my mite towards annoying the enemy, as all good c
had right to do. the Of one-half Of this
vessel, and lost about eleven thousand dollars in the enter
prise for she captured four days after leaving Delaware
Bay, She was pursuing the time an English convoy but
observed by two gates of the enemy think the Narcssus
and the Acasa to the wndwsrd, and the other 10 the
eewad they gave chase and she successfully passed through
the fire of of them, but fell prize TO the other though
until her sails down by the fire of the latter
merely cite this incident evidence that had something
risk beside my person in war; aid country in asserting
her rights and defending her honor and to show that for
tune and livelihood assigned by Mr. lngersol the go
verning motives of action, not "waned, though
fame and distinction aere; and thus ends the affair Of
the Snapper, commanded by Capt Peregrne Green.
would appear that if there any truth the
motives which Mr.. ngersol imputed TO cambridge and my
self for urging the Executive to send ships true
policy would have been to have conceded with him. We
then should have been at liberty TO have sought fortune
through punde and without much risk to persons
fighting and glory not the object prvateesmen have in
view but plumber alone could have thus easily gratfed
desires We knew that time, and Mr. Ingersoll did
aso there nothing TO be had in the national vessels Of
Of that character for Congress had already closed the
door to prize money by the application of onehaf of the prizes
10 the Navy Pension Fund, and nearly all the other half
prize expenses and double duties.
is necessary proper state here the and
observations communicated TO Mr. Hamilton, in reply to his
searching questions interview with the President
many Of the for the defeat OF antagonists and
success, still exist. And although then, now,
bound TO give the Government all the information in my
power is better that the set forth that trying
emergency by Banbdge and myself and which produced
suits unexpected to the Government and the people, should
sleep with their authors.
Notwithstanding efforts and circumstances Of that
day had terminated unfavoaby, cambridge still deter
mined not to renquish the great object He declared we
must not let the matter where But appeared
to almost hopeless and acting under
sant officers with respect to the higher authorities lest
our opportunities should be regarded melng and
particularly after il had been deliberately decided in Ca
bnet council not 10 send the ships sea- and after
special views had been laid before them He proposed that
should address written paper to the President himself
he cherished hope that from his and expressions
interview during the morning he unfavorabe
the vessels being sent 10 but had yielded to his Cabinet
About o'clock thatnigt had prepared rough draug
letter the President and retired for the night but such
the impotence Of cambridge that he returned his labor and
prepared fair copy, which found ready for my signature
breakfasttme. On signing il, remarked to him that if the
President did not receive It in the good part il
rended should both be cashered. lie replied, al would
rather be cahieed than to be port captain during the
He then enclosed the letter private letter 10 the Secretary
Of the Navy, and proceeded to the Department See
Note b.
Mr. Hamilton read the letter, but declined conveying
the President saying there passages in which he
sdered Objectionable that couched in dictator ia terms,
and reflected upon the members Of the Cabinet that with the
best feelings towards he could be the medium Of
vsyng il to the President but If would omit these pas
sages he would deliver the letter with pleasure in order
satisfy We would not consent, however, to make any
notifications OF expressions 10 but told
him not time to sickle about wod that he well
the President ought feel satisfied that could intend
dsrespec towards him that the letter written
under strong feelings for the country, the navy, and the
Of his administration through the glorious struggle upon
which had entered and that regarded any reflections
upon the members Of the Cabinet they referred merely the
absence OF that knowledge their part being Of the
which could not be supposed they should possess and
to their honor their integrity. But Mr. Hamilton remain