Newspaper Page Text
the Chesapeake, arrived in Hampton roads
v i h Ait colours, and the officers without amis;
and alxnu 4 o’clock in'the afternoon of the it alic
day, (Tuesday) the wounded men arrived at
this place, and were immediately sent to the
marine Hospital, whore every thine; necessary
tc comfortable is provided for their relief. The
following is a list of their mines, and of the
names also of those killed.
A list ( j’ the killed r.nd w :tn ted on board the fri
gate ('/i ’ afieake :
KILIED.
Joseph Arnold, City of Washington.
J )hn Laurence, L nnfvlvanij.
’ John Shark.ey, Philadelphia.
WOUNDED.
Mr. Brook. Midfhipntan.
Robert YT‘Don.ll. Washington City.
Thomas Short, Virginia.
George Perceval, Philadelphia.
Francis Coenhoyen, New York.
James K >ps, Petersburg, Virginia.
Cotton Brown, Cattdia, NewHuinpftiire,
Peter Smimons, Prufila.
Win, Hendrick, Albany, New-York.
Peter F.llifon, Den mark.
John Hayden, Baltimore.
J .hn Paiker, New-York.
William Moody, Delaware,
As the anxiety rage and alarm on this sub
ject, instead oi subsiding, is increasing, and the
whole ofthis part of the country is ripe and
prepared for any tiling that may promise re
venge. we hasten to lay before the public all the
particulars of this unhappy affair, that we hate
been abic to procure in addition to those alrea
dy published—it is fully ascertained that this
is not at all an ass ir ot accident, that the orders
were regularly sent, that the Leopard went out
of the Capes prepared for action, that she took
every possible adv antage of the unprepared and
si,host defenceless state of t..e Chesapeake,
and that she did every thing she could do to des
troy her, until there remained not the smallest
pretence for further fire or for deliberate Mur
der. It appears, that the Leopard aft r bearing
down on the Chesapeake, sent a boat on board
wi'h a copy of the captain’s instructions, which
were to procure 4 men stated to be mutineers
belonging to his majesty’s fleet,then on board the
Chesapeake, or at least to demand a search of
the ni—the boat was near half an hour along
side, and a,ter much talk, was, by signal,order
ed to the Leopard ; she had hardly got out of
danger before.a shot was fired into the Chesa
peake, and that was succeeded by a broad side ;
several others followed, until it appeared evident
that mischief enough had been done, and the
Chesapeake’s colors were down. In all this
time the lattci ship fired but two o>’ at most
three scattering shot, and these almost accident
ally and wit hout order, for so wholly unprovided
was she for action, that it ,s said her cables were
coiled over the guns, and as the powder had
not been properly dunnaged, and had been dis
covered to be damp, they were that day engag
ed in getting it out to dry, and the fires in the
ship had been all put out to prevent accidents.
The two ships, after this, stood farther oil'to
sea; and the American ship of war the Chesa
peake, underwent a regular search from his
majesty’s ship the Leopard, and four men were
taken, ('wo of whom were said to be native im
pressed Americans ) who had escaped after long
confinement.
The world is always curious to know the first
occasion or the first act of war; and ve have
been thus particular that the origin of, perhaps,
anew one may not be forgotten. VYe should
blame no captain for executing the orders of
his superior, if he executed them like a man;
but the cold-blooded cowardly ciuelty with
whu h this business was effected, leiiects dis
grace and dishonor on the whole British navy.
He well knew that the Chesapeake was little
better than a lumbered store-ship, carrying out
supplies for the Mediterranean, as totally unpre
pared for action as unconscious of danger, and
without waiting to see the effect of one broad
side, or to observe if she had struck, he conti
nued his lire till, in the sea-phrase, she was
quite cut up. Some of the shot wit quite
through the hull. Her rigging and sails are
torn to pieces, and she arrived with five leet
water in the hold.
Let the English boast of this action and of
the burnings of Fairfield together,
remember that similar conduct will produce si
milar effect. The spirit of the country is at
last roused, and Britain, detested in all quarters
of the earth but this, is at last detested here—
She has no ally now but the white negroes of
the north.
Yesterday a more numerous and more unani
mous collection of people assembled in this
place than was eier before witnessed—but one
voice, but one sentiment, but one spirit of reta
liation and revenge was to be h<jrd or seen;
temporised, however, by quiet resignation to
the will of our government for the present, in
full and ardent expectation of opportunity of
redress hereafter. ‘1 he following resolutions
were adopted on the occasion:
At a meeting of the citizens of the borough of
Norfolk and town of Portsmouth , held at ‘he
(own, hall on Wednesday, 24'/ i of June, 1807,
General Thomas Mathews, was unani
mously called to the chair.
Samuel Moseley, appointed secretary to
the meeting.
The meeting after due consideration, came to the
following resolutions :
WHEREAS the government of this coun
try has constantly manifested an ardent incli
n Ton lor the preservation of peace, and to se
cure that friendly disposition which might rea
sonably be expected fiom justice of foreign na
tions, ‘if sach a sentiment as that of justice was
to be found among them) and whereas, ,we as
udividuals, seriously deprecate the horrors of
war. and view it as one of the greatest evils
which can hefal our country; hut when we be
hold our fellow-citizens impressed, and forced
by a tyrannical aiui arbitrary power to fight
against their own country, and basely and u si
disiously murdered on our coasts, it becomes
necessary at this awful crisis, to be prepared to
meet the consequences which such conuuct and
such inclinations give ieasom.blccau.se to ex
pect, to discipline ourselves and to be in readi
ness to take up arms in defence ol those sacred
rights which our fore lathers purchased with
their blood; and until our government shall
have been informed of the late glaring violation
ol our rights and our sovereigntv, in the unwar
rantable and unprovoked attack upon the United
States’ irigatc Chesapeake, commodore Barron,
within a few miles of our coat, bv the British
squadron, composed ot the Beiiona, conimo
doie Douglas, the Triumph, captain llawly,
the Leopard, captain Humphries, and the ’ue
lampus, captain Hawker, acting under the ci
ders of commodore Douglass, at and the inhuman
murder ol a number ol our fcilow-citizens in
the attempt ol the Leopard to carry those or
ders into effect: therelt re,
dissolved unanimously , 1 hat all communica
tion with the British ships of war now within
our waters and on our coasts, and with their
agent or agents among us, be discontinued,
and that we will use our best exertions to pre
vent all such communication, and that all | ei
sons guilty of such communication shall be
deemed infamous.
liesolvtd unanimously, That we will view
with abhorrence any attempt at such commu
nication, and deem any person or persons en
emies to our country, who shall directly or in
directly hold such intercourse, or render aid or
assistance to the British slops of war by sup
plying them with provisions or necessaries of
any kind whatever, until the decision of our
government he known.
Resolved unanimously, In order the better to
effect the above purpt.se, that a committee be
appointed to correspond with the inhabitants of
j the neighbouring counties, and thoae ot the
| waters of Elizabeth river and the sea coast,
f notifying the flag-ant outrage that has been
committed, unci the measures passed by us,
and recommending similar measures to their
consideration.
Resolved unanimously , That our fellow-citi
zens, the pilots ot the Chesapeake bay and
Hampton, whose patriotism vve hold in the
highest estimation, are requested by This meet
ing to discontinue entirely, their professional
services to ail British ships of war.
Resolved unanimously, T hut vve view this
unprovoked, piratical, savage and assassin-like
attack upon the Chesapeake, wiih that horror
and detestation which should always attend a
violation of the faith of nations, and the laws of
war ; and we pledge our lives aid our proper
ties to co-operate with the government in any
measures which they may adopt, whether of
vengeance or of retaliation.
Resolved unanimously, That the mayor of
this borough he requested to call upon the lieu
tenant col. commandant ot the nuihiu to hold
in readiness, an arm -cl fen ce for the purposes
of defiance, and for carrying these resolutions
into effect.
Pc solved unanimously, that these resolutions
be extended to all British ships ot war which
may hereafter anchor within our ports, ’till com
plete sutislaction is made toour government for
this detestable outrage on the Chesapeake.
Resolved unanimously, that a subscription he
opened and left in the possession ol this Chaii
man, to raise a fund to lie applied to the relief
ot the wouiidcd, and the families of the killed
j on board the Chesapeake, under the direction
ot the Superintei.dant of the Hospital, the May
or of the borough of Norfolk, and Richard
Blow, fcsej. of Portsmouth.
Resolved unanimously, that the committee be
requested to correspond with the inhabitants
of the principal sea-pons, and endeav or as far
as in their power, to obtain their consent to
these resolutions, so tar as effectuallv to with
hold all supplies to any British armed vessel on
*thc eo isl of the U Stales, until ample justice
is obtained by our Executive.
Resolved unanimously , that the superintend
ant of the hospital, in the event of the death of
any ofthe unfortunate manners of the Chesa
peake, now’ under his care, report the same to
the committee, who shall from the funds sub
scribed, defray the expense ofthe funeral, and
the said committee are hereby instructed to
finite their fellow-citizens to attend, and to
make the necessary arrangement.
Resolved unanimously , that the collector he
requested to furnish one of the revenue cutters
to watch over and prevent any communication
with any of his B. M. ships, and that the com
mandant of the fort be requested to co-operate
with this measure.
Resolved ununimow ‘y, that copies of the pro
ceedings of this meeting be transmitted by the
chairman to the president of the United States
and the governor of Virginia, and that they he
published in the newspapers of this Borough.
Resolved unanimously, that the citizens of
Norfolk, Portsmouth, and tneir vicinities, be
requested to wear a crape for ten days, as a tes
timonial of th ir respect for the memory of
those persons on !x>ard the Chesapeake, who
have fallen victims to British tyranny and pre
meditated assassinations.
R’ olved unanimously, that this meeting ap
proves, and deems the conduct of our fellow
citizens of Hampton in destroying 200 casks of
water belonging to the British frigate Melum*
pus, highly laudable and prise-worthy.
Resolved unanimously , that
Thomas Mathews
’1 liotnas Newton jr.
Luke Wheeler
Theo. Armi stead
Richard E. T ee
Moses My, is
M’m. Pennock
Wm. New sum
Thomas Blanchard
Daniel Bedhigcr
Beth Foster
J. W. Murdaugh
Richard Blow and
Francis S. Taylor
Ben committee to carry ihe foiegoing reso
lutions into effect.
Aes dved unanimously, that this meeting ten
dur tnanks to general 1 honias Mathews for his
able discharge ol the (Titles ofthe chair.
fete. Bami.. Moseley, Rec'ry.
June 26.
fC?’ A subscript!’ n is opened for the relief
of the wounded onboard ofthe Chesapeake and
the families of those who have been killed.
1 he paper is lodged with general Thomas Ma
thews.
1 he I eepni cl lias returned into the hay, and
remains vyjth the other ships; all the pilots
have been landed at their request.
Fxtract o/ a letter frrnn the Chaplain of the frigate
C l efape kc, to a gentleman ill Richmond, dated
Hampttn, June‘24th, 1807.
“ A difagr.eable circumstance happened yesterday.
The frigate Chesapeake got under way at seven a. m.
with a fair wind and proceeded out oft he Capes, where
the met the tliip I eopard of fifty guns, commanded hv
captain Humphries. He lent a boat on board the Chef
apeuke and demanded the i iiglifh feameii, which Com
modore James Barron said he was not. authorifed to give
lip. Ihe boat returned to the I. eopard, who immedi
ately fired a gun ahead ot the C heiape.ike. Commo
dore Barron went to the gangway and hailed the Ihip ;
“'hiift l* e was there they fired a gun at'him, which
ft* ack foni Ti that tile fphnteis wounded him in three
difiert nt places.
“ After that, they commenced a regular fire, whilst
t ie C'helnpiake •.• id upwards of sixty men sick ; th, ir
hammocks being placed on the gun deck it wasimpof
fifit to get the guns c ear, and five men were killed
and twenty three wounded. The Commodore struck
his colors. Ihe captain of the Leopard. lent an officer
on hoard, who bejug interrogated about the conduct
of his captain, said that he did it to lave the elfufion of
blood, viz. lave oui telvea. and murder you. Yuu may
remember that thefc haughty f> amen tike none of thole
airs on there. If captain Barron had known it, or even
dreamed a possibility of any such thing, I .un confident
that this Leopard vvoulu have called a layer (hip to her
aid. p. 5... Ihe citizens ot Hampton were to exuf
perated that they and jftroyed the calks of a watering
boat belonging to the iingliih.”
TRIAL OF COLON]'.L BURIL
FEDERAL COURT.
June 24.
On this day the grand jury brought in their report,
that both ihe indictments againil Aaron Burr, for
1 i. eafon again ft the U. States, and for a miidemeanur,
w true mi ls. 1 hey afo found two indidtments,
ior treaion and a miidemeanor against Herman
Blannexu ass£TT, TRUK uni 3 , and informed the
court that they had not fiuiihec. the buiinels before
them; HAVING LNQUJKIEg TO MAKE AGAINST O THER
VERSONS.
bavaniiah,
TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 7, 1807.
Saturday lust the birth-day of American in
dependence was celebrated m this city in a
manner that evinced strongly the increasing
putrio.ism ot onr citizens. The dawn was
greeted by tl. > ,log of bells,and salutes from
the Chatham as.. i aery, and the Revenue cutter.
At ten o’clock the uniformed corps, consisting
ofitlie troop ol horse, the company of artillery,
and two companies oi uilaiitry, assembled tit
their parade grounds, and were reviewed by
their respective officers. At twelve o’clock,
the military and a number of other citizens re
paired lo the Presbyterian church, where the
Declaration of Independence was l ead by ma
jor Charlton, and a truly patriotic and ele
gant oration, replete with sentiments of genu
ine republicanism, delivered by Wm. B. Bul
loch, esep At the conclusion of the oration,
a salute was fired by the Chatham Artillery,
under capt. Wall. Throughout the day, the
Amei lean standard was displayed in front of the
court-house, from a liberty-pole, around which
the republican citizens had seats erected, and
dined in the open air, uncovered by aught but
the canopy of Heaven. Another party of citi
zens dined at the Exchange, from the belfry
of which our national flag was likewise sus
pended.
About three o’clock the citizens and volun
teer cofps retired to their several places of din
ing, and the remainder ol the day was passed
in the utmost harmony and cordiality. A num
ber of patriotic toasts were drank by the differ
ent. societies, which we arc compelled by want
oi room to defer publishing until our next.
Some of our citizens had not yet finished
celebrating the birih-day of our national exist
ence on Saturday last, when the arrival of the
northern mail, announced the unprincipled and
cowardly conduct ot the British squadron in
Hampton roads, towards the American frigate
Chesapeake. All who hcaid it were fired with
indignation. The knowledge of the circum
stance, however, was not general until next
morning, when the spirit of resentment became
as diffusive as the information, and the citizens
ol this place had a town-meeting in agitation
for the expression of their sentiments on the
occasion, at the very time the mayor received
the following note from the committee of the
citizens of Norfolk, See. accompanied by a copy
of their proceedings :
“ Norfolk, June 25, 1807.
“ ’NR—We have the honor to transmit you a
detail of an insulting and most cruel outrage
committed on our nation by a BRITISH
SQUADRON, together with ceitain resolu
i tions ilteroujavn, entered into by the it.T fii'ants
oi Norfolk. Portsmouth and their vicinities, to
which we invite your co-operation.
\\ c have the honor to be, sir,
Your most obedient servants,
DANIEL BE DINGER,y
‘J. V.. MURDAUGH, C Co '"''’'tteeof
THEO. ARMIaIY.AD. ) Cortelpomleucti.
“ To the mayor of Savannah.”
In consequence of the above important
communication, the mayor ofthis city reques
ted a meeting ofthe citizens at the Exchange,
this day at 12 o’clock, lor the purpose of deli
berating upon the subject. The meeting was
uncommonly numerous—the following is an
account of the proceedings .
At a meeting ol the citizens of Savannah, at
the Exchange, in consequence of a notification
bv John \ Noel, mayor, to take into conside
ration certain resolutions transmitted from tins
committee of correspondence of the borough
ot Nori.dk, and town of Portsmouth, leLtive
to the kite daring and piratic; ! outrage, com
mitted by a British squadron on the Urn eel
States’ frigate Che.upeake— Edward Tel
fair, esq. being called to the chair, and Tho
mas U. P. Charlton, esq. appointed secreta
ry— The mayor proceeded to lay before tlio
’ meeting, the coniniunic at ion of the committee
1 of correspondence, and to state, generally, tho
objects of the present meeting-; and invited
the citizens to co-operate with their fellow-citi
zens of Norfolk.
The following resolutions were proposed ami wm
nimuusly adopted:
Resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be
tendered to the mayor, to; the prompt manner
in which he has acceded to the request of tlio
citizens of Norfolk, and invited his fellow-citi
zens to convene this day. 4
Resolved, that the thanks ol this meeting be
I given, to the > i'izens of the borough of Norfolk
anil town ol Portsmouth, for their patriotic re
| solutions, and communications to the mayor of
| this city.
j| Resolved, that, II tllium Stephens, George
, Juties, Churl's Harris, Joseph Habersham, p.d
jj ward Telfair, John M. Berrien , P. //. Morel,
jH■ A. Bulloch , John Y. .A "or/, Thomas U. P .
j Charlton, Archi'aid S. Bulloch, and John Cum
jj tni'ig, be appointed a committee to report rcso
j> lutions, to be submitted loan adjourned meeting
£ to be held on Friday the 10th instant, at 12
o’clock, at the Presbyterian church, and that
the citizens be invited, by the chairman of the
committee, to assemble on that day, therein.
Resolved, that the colonel commandant of
the Chatham Regiment be requested to hold
his regiment, and particularly the volunteer
companies, to move at a moment’s warning to
any part, to which the situation of his Britannic
majesty’s ships or vessels of war may require,
for tlie purpose of preventing supplies being
afforded them.
Resolved, that the pilots be requested to re
fuse (heir professional aid to any armed vessels
of the British nation, until the sense ofthe A
merican government be known.
Resolved , that the chairman of this meeting
be requested to communicate to his excellen
cy the governor of this state, the proceedings
ol this meeting, and to request him to diier.t.
the org nization of the militia of the eastern
district, so as to place them in a situation to u—
sisi, with promptitude and energy, any aggres
sions ofi the people of this state, by a British
armed.force —and that he be also solicited, to
order, provisionally, the delivery of arms to
the militia, when exigencies may render it ne
cessary.
Resolved, that the keeper of the lighl-liouso
lie directed to hoist a signal on the appearance
ol British armed vessels ; and th it the collect
or be requested to keep the revenue cutter be
low, in order that she may communicate spoo
d v intelligence ol the approach ol British armed
vessels.
Resolved, 1 hat the thanks of this meeting bo
tendered to the i hairman for the able discharge
ofthe duties of his appointment, and that the
proceedings of this meeting lie published in tlio
different gazettes of this city.
Ily order of the Chairman,
I homas U. P. Charltow, Sec’ry.
C AUTI () N.
•fT THE Subscriber, mailer ofihe BRITISH BRIO
DIANA, gives this Puifiic Notice, that neither he nor
the owners of the frfil brig, will be accountable for any
debts contracted by lier crew.
Robert Sanderson.
July 2 m 3<>
03° Freight of 100 bales of Cotton,
may be hnd on tlie decks of the excellent fli |
Mf;IJN P.R NON, captain Stevens, for Ll
\ KRFOOT* ; this ftiijj’, decks are rem .rkuh'y wHI
calculated to carry a de< k load in fafetv. Her car
go being ready, (he will meet dispatch. Apply to
the captam on board, or to
S. 2c C. Howard.
June 23. f, s
AY FLFFtfOY~”
FOR an ENSION, will h- h#*ld at Andrews*
ing-hou e, on Friday the I7*h inst. for company No. I
lft baitali m, commanded hy captain Pettibone.
By order of major G umming.
PLThK N. BRINSMADE, Adi’t.
July 7 71
NOTICK.
ALL fx-rfoni fiavinpr any demand* against fho
.Board of EIRE MASTERS are desired to bring
them in for payment, on Monday the 27th instant ;
and all < ontr idt, made w th this board, aie driired to
be completed by that day.
By order of the Board.
Thomas Pitt, Clerk.
July 7 71