National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1976, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 20, 1813 Page: 2 of 4
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Extracts from luit: London pa ft ers.
PLYMOUTH, MARCH 23.
Last night, about 11 o’clock, the in-
habitants of this town tv ere alarmed by.
the fire of minute guns in the harbor of
Hamo&ze, and the dreadful cause was
soon discovered to be that of a ship on
file there, which proved to he the Cap-
tain, a 74 gun hulk, that burnt almost
to the water’s edge, and sunk early in
the morning* The devouring clement
raged on board her with almost an un-
exampled fury, and exhibited a scene
truly awful, but grand beyond descrip-
tion. We understand it broke out by
accident just before 11 o’clock, and it
being s«'on discovered to be an impossi
bility to extinguish the 11 .mcs, every
exertion was then made to sink her,
which was effected about 4 o’clock in
the morning, by the shot from seme
pieces of artillery (six and nine poun-
ders) brought from the gun-wharf for
the purpose, and fired fi om launches
nearly along side her, when she went
down on fire, amidst the cheers of thou-
sands of spectators. The elements
which before had been inflamed to a
great degree, became in a moment
darkened by her disappear.,nee. Great
apprehensions were entertained, during
the continuance of the conflagration, for
the safety of some of the ships of war
building in the dock yard, as the sparks
and flakes of fire were observed to lodge
about them in great quantities, but the
engines constantly playing on them
prevented the effects which might have
followed in consequence. Providenti-
ally no lives were lost, and the uivfor
tunate Captain did net part Irom her
moorings. Many of those on board her
ami others, employed on the occasion,
were much burnt, but none of them ir-
recoverably. The hulk had been re-
cently tarred, and at the lime the acci-
dent happened, was Ij mg close along
side his m..j.‘sly’s ship hh.n Josef, of
112 guns, for Cnc purpose of receiving
her crew and stores, which ship is go
ing into dock this wee k—fortunately,
however, neither had been removed,
and we understand, but a few stores
were on boord her at the time she
caught fire. The Man Josef dropt astern
ot her, and did not sustain any damage ;
both ship's lay abreast of the duck-y^rct.
and but a lew yards di&ianl from it.—
Boats from every ship in harbor attend
cd to render all the assistance possible,
land a constant firing was kept up iiom
the different ships during me great
part of the night, to spread an alarm ;
the military were c.illeu out and under
arms. Various report's are in circula-
tion as to the cause of the accident; but,
they are at present so contradictory,
that \vs forbear mentioning any of them
The exertions of the officers of the
dock-yard, and every one employed on
the occasion, were conspicuous, and
merit the warmest approbation. It is
rather a curious circumstance, and,
worthy of remark, that the San Josef
and Captain should have been along
tide eacli other at the time, as it must
be well recollected, that on the memo-
rable 14th February, 1797, the immor-
tal Nelson, from the latter, which he
then coinmuhded, boarded and took pos-
session of her, then the Spanish Admi-
ral’s flag ship, who was killed in his
cabin by the boarders. File Captain
was built in the year 1797, and is a small
ph p of her class. It will, it is said, be
necessary to weigh the remains of her,
as otherwise we understand that it will
prove to be an obstiuction to that part
of the harbor.
Since wilting the foregoing, we have
learnt that the cook of the hulk has not
been seen since the accident; it is
therefore generally supposed he was
drunk in the galley and perished, anu
that the fire broke out there. A sea-
man belonging to the San Josef, we re-
gret to say, fell overboard in the confu-
sion, and was unfortunately drowned
before assistance could be rendered him.
safety : The Chesapeake and the i)cla- I
ware arc blockaded. But they do cs- .
cape from Boston, and why is Boston
not kept in a state of blockade? For
one simple reason it cannot be blockad-
ed in winter : Egress is open to them,
and unfortunately they have been able
to get back to Boston in safety. And
this may happen, and the good fortune
that has attended them may have hap-
pened too without misconduct on our
parts. However, the subject is likely
to be fully investigated, and we are ex-
tremely glad of it.
From the London Courier, \_the court
paperj] March 30.
The Earl of Darnley yesterday in the
House of Lords, adverting to the capture
of the Java frigate, gave notice, that he
should make a motion lor an enquiry
into the Naval Administration of the
country. We are glad of it. YVe hope
a similar notice will be given in the
House of Commons. We never disap-
prove if the conduct oj this or that ad-
ministration being put to the test of fair
and full enquiry. Ii the Admiralty have
wielded the naval eneigics of the coun-
try with a feeble and faltering hand, let
them receive the censure they would
deserve. If our commanders on the
American station have not evinceu pro
per skill and activity in the distribution
of the force placed m.der their com-
mand, let them be removed. If there
be blame, let it be ascertained where it
lies.
The Admiralty are accused of not
having stationed a sufficient force early
enough on the American station. If
six or seven times the amount of the
^wholc American navy be not sufficient,
we know not what force can be deemed
adequate. But the force has been bad-
ly disposed and the American ports have
not been well watched. Any such as
sertion we must disbelieve, for the skill
and talents of the Admiral selected lor
that station are indisputable. But how
happens it that these frigates do escape
Irom the American ports and return in
MARYLAND POLITICS.
f 110711 THE BALTIMORE WHIG.
JlTessrs. Printers of the Whig,
To judge from the general silence
which prevails as to the extra-session of
the legislature, commencing this day, it
might not inaptly be announced to the
public as news. Within the very limit-
ed range in which this occurrence has
been noticed, it does not appear to be
known to any one, what is its object ;
the governor, in his proclamation, has
not thought it necessary to assign any
reason whatever for summoning togeth-
er our representatives Nay, Messrs,
printers, his excellency’s veni vidi pro-
clamation, not only fails to explain it-
self, but seems to be disavowed by its
own author as undersigned; and yet,
strange to tell, in this government ot
logocracy, not a single querist, critic,
eulogist or commentator, has touched
on this singular transaction. Such a
placid pause for the developcmcnt of
the mysteries of our state, the accouch-
ment of our executive mountain, it
would seem almost a sin to disturb, but
that so sudden a calm in the tempestu-
ous sea of liberty, as to Polinurus ol
old, might prove fatal to our helm’s-
nuiii, and thus endanger the ship Not
thus smoothly and silently have great
public events rolled on in times past ;
indeed, gentlemen, the operations of
t ur state government have proceeded
lately in “ such silent course that no
loud storms.annoy,” as must not only
l. lid lo compose our executive to sleep,
hut can be rationally accounted for only
on the supposition that the public are
struck dumb with astonishment at their
proceedings. When governor Ogle was
counselled to call an extra meeting of
the legislature, thousands of hand-bills
and pamphlets were circulated on the
subject, and of course thousands of rea-
sons adduced in sup pot t of the measure,
but so important, so highly responsible
was such a proceeding considered by
the federal governor Ogle, that he de-
clined resorting lo it, although the ar-
guments and entreaties of the partizariS
rushed on him like a deluge. When
an extra session was necessarily called
in compliance with the constitution, at
the resignation of governor Wright-
the presses groaned with phillipics on
the subject, against the democrats, and
the vilest application was made of it to
party purposes ; the cxpcncc, the trou-
ble, the insidious designs, the covert in-
trigues connected with it, resounded
from every quarter, anc! the clamor has
scarcely yd ceased, although it was
known to be the affair of an individual,
unconnected with any considerations
but what related lo himself. Now, mark
the change, when it is sufficient that the
adoption of a similar measure should be
bluntly and dogmatically announced,
and that after a lapse of several weeks
no more should Have been said on the
subject, including the proclamation it-
self, than would make stanza for a
song. This elysium of office is, how -
ever, not likely to continue at least
with the present tenants. However in-
consistent and unnatural it may appear,
and however disadvantageous it might
prove, to entrust men with the conduct
of a momentous war, whose souls are
not with it, and who, of course, cannot
be. expected to carry it on with spin. ;
yet I would willingly nuke this propi-
tiatory sacrifice to their lore of office,
and invest them with the robes of state,
to gain that enviable desideratum in the
war. unanimity; but that it appears the
temper of concord and conciliation, so
essential to this object and so strongly
manifested in the people, unhappily
docs not extend to the councils of this
state, and that the degenerate town of
Boston is not t he only theatre where par-
ty machinery could be set to work ; even
while the rising glory of America was
advancing in front of the foe. The dis-
missal of the troops from Annapolis,
the drafting from particular districts, as
well as the proclamation, and every mi-
nor act of the present state executive,
palpably demonstrates that a temper to
harmonize the discord of party never for
a moment entered the hail of their deli-
berations, and the opening ol the box of
Pandora containing the secret of the
present extra session will exhibit that
disreputable fact; nay, it is believed,
that the object of this session is known
to be unattainable to those who called
it; that no public measure of any note
is expected to be carried, and that a
great party clamor which will influence
the ensuing elections is the only conse-
quence expected from it. Thus then
will have been applied the public func-
tions and resources of this most critical
period. In the mean time the public
will have patience and wait with com-
placency for the causes which the exe-
cutive may assign for this extra session,
and be content to have been kept in
darkness as to their domestic concerns
by a class of politicians, nlto will scarce-
ly ever allow our general government
to withhold from the world the most de-
licate foreign transactions, in which
honor often binds to secrecy and disclo-
sure commits the national interests. Is
it not obvious, that such men should be
dismissed from our councils ; and thaf.
if federalists must be elected, we should
select such as would look cnly to an
honorable and speedy peace, who would
not hazard the the public safety for par-
ty projects, or spend the resources of
the state in calling the legislature for
party purposes, when every cent is
wanted to enforce the rights of an inde-
pendent state ; or rather, should not the
people adhere to the republicans, as
their sheet anchor, by which the ship
of state may weather the tremendous
storms that have so long convulsed the
ancient civilized world, and at last reach ■
ed us. INVESTIGATOR.
May 17.
eft, severity of censure.’ But is Ha re-1 country but our otvri would public
[From the Boston Patriot.(]
TUE WARNING VOICE.
Those “ whom God wills to destroy
he first makes mad,” is a truth which
experience has sanctioned ; and do not
the events of.every pressing day demon
strate that the destruction of the present
baneful opposition s the administration
of the United States, has been decreed;
and that they have already been stricken
with the obstinacy, blinfiri.ess and deli-
rium which are the prognostics of the
speedy execution ol the decree ? At
the same time may we not thank Hea-
ven that it is the American people who
are appointed to be the ministers to
execute it, and that they are also en-
dowed with that “ Redeeming power”
which can restore to the nation those
brave seamen—that commerce, and
consequent prosperity, which it has lost
by the plundering outrages of Great
Britain, in which she has been too much
encouraged and supported by “ her
friends in America.” The great and
astonishing changes which have taken
place since the fall elections in every
pait of the Union where opportunity
has been offered for them, ail declare
the fact, viz. in Massachusetts the ma-
jority against the administration and
the war, w hich was about twenty-five
thousand,’-is new (as the votes for Gov-
ernor will shew) reduced lo about thir-
teen thousand, and two-thirds of that
number of Republicans were absent
irom their homes fighting the enemy
by sea, and preparing lo do the same, on
the land, at the time the election was
held.
In New Hampshire the majority of
•l peace-makers,” (as they call them-
selves) but whom we consider submis-
sion men, was then from three to five
thousand ; at the late election of Gov
ernor in that state their boasted 'majori-
ty is reduced to a few hundreds. In
Virginia, at the late Congressional
elections, Republicanism has gained ad-
ditional num: ers to the overwhelming
majority obtained in that state two years
since. And last, though not least, New-
York yes, New York, the largest state
in the Union, in which, at the last fall
elections, the opposers of war and the
administration boasted that they had
carried every thing—in that great
state a general election Iras been held,
and a decided majority of the electors
have declared in fa vor of the adminis-
tration, and cf war for *• Free Trade
and Sailors Rights.” And they have
pronounced in language which cannot
be mistranslated by tones, nor frittered
away by the “ miscreant pens” of pen-
sioned scribblers.
The voice thus uttered will be heard
and echoed throughout the U. States :
a.id its effects wiii be felt like the rock-
ing of an earthquake, by the “ Friends
of England,” (and a separation of the
state?,) in our own country as well as
by those who compose the Cabinet of
St- James, who, not content with regu-
lating the flairs of their fast anchored
Mi. Pickering would say)
■ rnze over every nation in
globe,.
s pect to be paid to the Representatives
nf the majes ’.y of the People ? Arc they
our menial servants, whom we are pri-
vileged to vilify and abuse ? Or are they
the delegated organs of the public will,
in whom is centered the power and dig
nity of the wh.ole community, which
every individual is bound to honor and
obey, while they arc exercised within
the limits of the laws? Wo have con-
stituted them our agents. We have put
the scales and the sword of justice into
their hands—and is this a mere mocke-
ry ? Are our national officers to be a
mark for every, knave and fool to shoot
at? Are we not degrading ourselves,
when we thus degrade our Representa-
tives ? Will foreign governments treat
ours with that respect and courtesy,
which one government is accustomed
to pay to another as its equal, when wc
treat it with total disrespect ourselves ?
Are Kings 8c Emperors so immaculate,
that they can hardly be touched with
impunity ? And is the head of an Inde-
pendent Republic so mean and vile and
low, that every ruffian thinks he has a
right to spit in his lace and call him
rascal ?/We confess that our democracy
does not extend so far. We believe
that the most perfect state of freedom
is consistent with wholesome restraint,
and proper respect for the rulers and
the laws.
With tliGse premises, let us inquire,
how far the abuse complained of exists
amongst us ?
We repeat that the licentiousness of
l he press is, at present, greater than
history furnishes us any example ol.
The opposition prints have arrived to a
degree of profligacy altogether unpa-
ralleled. Truth and decency are laugh-
ed out of countenance. Violence and
abuse are the only sure criteria of • fe-
deral orthodoxy. No Federal paper
can flourish that indulges in the heresy
of moderation. Charges the most ag-
gravated and unfounded are levelled
agaiKst government, in language the
most scurrilous. Refutation cannot
keep pace with calumny. The policy
of administration is not merely arraign-
ed as erroneous and mistaken. But our
prints be allowed, openly to justify the
pretensions of the enemy, to furnish
them with arguments to support their
side of the controversy, to acquaint
them with the most assailable points of
attack, to dissuade, the people from
lending the smallest support to the
common cause, to rejoice at the enemy’s
victories, to mourn over those of their
own country, and exult at its disasters.
Whether it is consistent with prudence
to tolerate a licentiousness bordering
upon treason, is perhaps doubtful. But
after all ; that reason and that common
sense which, we trust, are not wholly
extinguished in the mass of the people,
will be found to be more efficacious than
the strong arm of the government and
law.
CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE.
The Robbin Good fed low, a Wcst-In-
diaman, belonging to the port of Liver-
pool, struck on her homeward voyage
from Barbadoes some time since. The
consequence was a leak which increased
to a dangerous extent after they had
passed Bermudas. ; The Capt. ordered
a tarpaulin with oakum to be drawn
under her bottom, an experiment which
has frequently had the effect of stopping
a leak. Unfortunately, the attempt fail-
ed, arid notwithstanding all the endea-
vors of the crew, it wras with the great-
est difficulty they could keep her afloat
by the pumps. On their arrival on the
Great Bank of Newfoundland the crew
were surprised by tine!ing the ship made
no water. The leak had stopped, but
how, none could conceive until the ship
was docked ; it then appeared that a
blanket, which one. of the sahors had
hung over the bows to wash, had been
drawn into the aperture, .and thereby
effectually stopped the leak. The sailor
to whom the blanket belonged had con-
cluded that it had broke tuuilt. It has
since been preserved as a valuable
relic. ,
From the Delaware Statesman, May 14*
From Lewis.—We iearn from Lewis-
town, that the Poicliers has sailed from
the capes ; and that a sloop of war is the
ed as erroneous and mistaken. But our i onjy force now in the bay. The Nep-
rulers arc impeached as the foulest of tuuc p„lSsed Luwislown, with a fine
breeze, on Monday
Is!
wish
the !.
t
U:>: J-'ational JEgis.
I HE. PRESS ; •
While all ngrt ••• u*n« put liberty of the
press is a gram Mt^hg.' none will deny
that ns ‘licet •* if great evil.
This tyil th». pi oi-k-- of tfie United States
are now experiencing in a degree, with-
out exam pi-, in .my other age or country
We might except perhaps, a short pe
nod alt-l.r the inauguration of Presid nt
Jefferson ; when t.he flood-gates of c*
lumny were opened, and slander ap-
peared to waste usclf in one wide inun-
dation. This slander, however, was
chiefly personal. It principally assailed
private character. And though this is
one of the vilest and most despicable
species wf calumny, the most destruc-
tive of public morals; yet, we insist,
that it is not so fatal in its tendency, so
essentially dangerous to the principles
of the constitution, as that bold con-
tempt ot goverrirne.pt, tfiat defiance ol
authority, that disrespect ol the laws,
which characterize the licentious pub-
lications of the present day.
We are not advocates for the irre-
sponsibility of administration. The na-
ture of our government requires that
they should be accountable for ali then
acts. The letter ana the spirit of tin-
constitution make the Sovereign People
censors of their conduct. All their
measures should be freely canvassed.
VYc do not object to the utmost strict
ness of examination, and where descry
traitors! They are directly charged
with being sold to France ; they are e-
ven address'd with the epithets of
-* tools of Bonaparte“ hirelings,”
“ wretches“ miscreantsWc. Wc.
We are told that they have forfeited the
power reposed in them; that their
measures are unconstitutional and void;
and the people are invited, in no very
-mbiguous terror, to refuse obedience
to the laws formally enacted ! We ap-
peal to the columns of the federal pa-
pers themselves, for the truth of this
statement.
The evils of this monstrous abuse of
constitutional liberty, are already felt.
These profligate prints (strange to tell)
are patronized by men of high and ho-
norable standing. Their names give
currency to the poison. It circulates
far arid wide. It is greedily swallowed
by those credulous short-sighted poli-
ticians, tiie jVcw-England <. lergj. They
retail it from their pulpits-; and many
,.re the simple souls, who beiieve all
the foolish, political talcs their minis-
ter tells them, as firmly as they do their
bibles ! Thousands in A'env England
are convinced that Bonaparte is Anti-
Christ, and that President Madison is
in firm league and covenant with Bona-
parte arid the Devil.
The consequence of this is, that, in
the Eastern States especially, there is
an habitual disrespect and contempt of
government. Their measures are not
only suspected, but without an excep-
tion, are denounced as being dictated by
French influence. The most uncandid
prejudices are cherished against our
brethren of the south. A portion ol the
people is hardly restrained triom violat-
ing the authority ol law. The chain ot
union is greatly weakened.
Wc arc all sensible of the abuse. How
shall we apply the remedy? We answer
—by a patient perseverance in candid
argument, anti the devclopement of the
truth; by an unwearied endeavor to
eradicate pernicious prejudices, and to
convince the deluded, what blind guides
they are lolJowing. We know of no
otricr remedy consistent with republican
principles. Sedition laws we abhor.
The cure is worse than the decease.
Indeed, we have so often seen party
malice make use of libel prosecutions
as instruments of revenge ; we have
seen them operate so much hardship
and injustice, that we heartily wish that
the law did not recognize the publica-
tion of a libel as a criminal act. We
believe that the civil remedy would an-
swer every useful purpose.
Let us trust, then, to time and expe-
rience to correct the mischief. Such
profligate and extravagant slander will
finally defeat, itself. When the people
find they are so often deceived, they
will at length cease to trust the deceiv-
ers. All the republicans have to do, is
to pci severe in attempting to dispel the
clouns ol delusion, and enlighten the
minds of the ignorant, undiscouraged
i,y any temporary failure. Their efforts
will yet he abundantly successful. The
American soil is not congenial to the
growth of British influence. Even in
.ne East, its duration cannot be perma-
nent.
Whether so mild and tolerant a sys-
tem'is suited to a state of war, remains
a question. Certain it is, that in no other
she was saluted by *
the sloop of war.
Same the above was in type, wc have
learnt the following by col. Davis (the
commandant at L- vmtovrir) and major
Hunter, who arrived here yesterday af-
ternoon in the Dover stage :
On Monday morning last, the Poic-
tiers, Belvidere, schooner Pr.z, and the
smaller vessels, composing the Dela-
ware blockading squadron, ieit their an-
chorage above Lewis, and appeared to
be going to sea; but, about 7 miles be-
low Lewis they came too, and it was be-
lieved their object was to get water
from Newbolci’s Pond. Col. Davis, on
perceiving this, immediately sent off a
detachment of 150 men, to prevent them
from landing, which fortunately reach-
ed the pond before the English were
...ble to land. The enemy being thus
deprived of getting water, unless at the
risk of lighting for it, gave up their in-
tended enterpriza and put off from the
shore. The barges were hoisted'' on
board the Poictiers arid Belvidere, and
they immediately put to sea ; supposed
for Bermuda, for a supply of fresh -wa-
ter, which they have long wanted. Im-
mediately after this, the buoys, which
the enemy have Llqly placed in the De-
laware, were taken up by our boats. In
the course of the day the Spartan enter-
ed the capes, but, luckily, not before we
had succeeded in taking up the buoys.
The Spartan is said to be one ot the
most handsome vessels in the English
navy. Should any one of our frigates
peep into the Delaware, wc may confi-
dently expect to hear of her being taken.
She is accompanied only by one tender^
and a few barges; so that, for a few days
at least, the people of the upper parts of
the bay may consider themselves free
from an attack. This, however, should
not stop their preparations for defence.
Berreslord declares, that when, he re-
turns with a reinforcement, which he
expects to have, the higher part of the
river will be visited by him.
It gives us pleasure to inform our
readers, that in all the attacks on Lewis-
town, the people of that place have be-
haved with the greatest gallantry and
courage ; and that nothing could induce
them to violate the laws of their coun-
try so as to supply the enemy. If the
opposite shore had acted in like manner,
we might, ere this, have been rid of our
troublesome neighbors.
100 DOLLARS REWARD.
Eloped from Fairfield, in the county of Fre-
derick and commonwealth ot Virginia, on or
a: oat the 7th day of March last, it negro slave
named ANTHONY", the property of the late
William li. Page deceased. Anthony is about
5 feet 9 inches in height, of a substantial form,
a light yellow tompkeiion, and rather of an
■ffeininate voice. He is about 28 years of age,
tvas brought up a house servant and has been
accustomed to that course of employment all
his life. He is a slave of great capacity and
considerable ingenuity—he reads—he plays
;lie fiddle—and possesses a great mechanical
turn—he can do rough carpenters’ work and
make combs The above reward will be. given
if Anthony should be apprehended at the dis\
tanoe of IDO miles irom Fairfield, and brought
to the subscribers living in Alexandria. Hut
if apprehended at the distance of less than 100
miles,'Fifty Dollars will be given if he is se-
cured in gaol, and notice given to the sub-
scribers.
THOMAS SWANN,
EDMOND l LEE,
.tJiJmrs. of Urm. IS Pago, dechP
May 6
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National Intelligencer. (Washington City [D.C.]), Vol. 13, No. 1976, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 20, 1813, newspaper, May 20, 1813; Washington, District of Columbia. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth996073/m1/2/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .