Constitutional Whig. [volume], September 20, 1825, Image 1

About Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832

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g*——-1---— mj .
FRESH HATS,
OT THE LATEST FASmONS.
rS’i!IE subscriber takes the liberty of informing his friends
1- ami the public, that he has just returned from New
Yoik, with a splendid Assortment of the above goods; c*ui
-•‘.isting of the following kinds, viz. Gentlemen’s 1st, 2d anil"
3.1 qualities black Heavers; do. do. Castors; do. do. imita
»ii>u Heavers; 1st, 2d and 3.1 qualities Romms; youth’s and
children’s hats, morocco caps, and u large assortment of
WOOF. HATS, of various qualities—all of which I have
. 'lectcd in person, and can assure my friends and rustom
<:*’ that they arc such as I can warrant togive satisfaction;
•til or any of which l fee! disposed to sell for a small advance
fur cash only.
1 also continue to manufacture hats of every description,
according to order, at the shortest notice. Old hats repaired
and the smallest favor gratefully acknowledged.
JOHN THOMPSON.
N. B. Tiio.sc indebted to me, whose accounts are of six
months stHiding, are requested to call and discharge the
s tine, and those to whom I nm indebted will please to hand *
hi their accounts for payment.
S«p9 J. T. |
BACON AND LARD.
PLEASANT WINSTON, (Cary Street,) has on Con
signment, by the latest arrivals in the Dock, and oilers
tor Sale,
29,900 lbs. Smithfield Bacon, (Pretlow’s curing,) per schr. !
Nancy Ann,
18,000 do. do. do. (Thomas’s do.) per schr. Union, !
14,000 do. do. do. ^Ricks’s do,) per schr. Comet, i
IN STORE,
"*>900 lbs. Supeiior Smithfield Bacon, (Newsom's do.)
“0 kegs of hard white leaf Smithfield Laid, in small j
kegs, fur family use,
lUO bbls gross herrings, Nos I it 2,
75 do. nett do. do.
30 do. roe do. do. for family use,
10 do. genuine peach brandy, warranted 8 years old, j
and also,
5*90 kegs Smithfield lard, put up in seasoned kegs of j
■sm ill size, expressly for ihc West India market, deli
verable at this place, Smithfield and Norfolk, Va.
Ang 23— 8l
Treasury Department, )
March 14, 1825. \
WHEftEAS, on the 3d cf March. 1825, a law was
passed hy the Congress of the United States, of
v.hich tiie 3d, 4lh, and 5ili sections are in the words follow
ing, viz:
“Sec. 3. And he it further enacted, That a subscription
'.v the amount of twelve millions of dollars, »f the six per
-cent, stock of the year eighteen hundred and thirteen, be,
and the same is hereby, proposed; for which purpose books
shall be opened at the Treasury of the United States, and
at tiie several loan offices, on the first day of April next,
to continue open until the first day of October thereafter, fo.
such parts of the above mentioned descript'on of stock as
shai'., on the day of subscription, stand on tire books of the
Treasury, and on those of the several loan offices, respec
tively; which subscription shall be effected by a transfer to
the United State3, in the manner provided by law for
such transfers, of the credit or credits standing on the said
books, nnJ by a surrender of the certificates of the stock so
subscribed : Provided, That all subscription by such trans
fer of stock shall ha considered as part of the said twelve
millions of dollars authorized to he borrowed by the first
section of this act.
“Sec. 4. And he it further enacted, That, for the whole
or any part of any sum which shall be thus subscriber!,
credits shall he entered to the respective subscribers, who
shall he entitled to a certificate or certificates purporting
that the United States owe to the holder or holders thereof,
his, her, or their assigns, a sum to be expressed therein,
equal to the amount ol'the principal stock thus subscribed,
bearing ail interest not exceeding four and one half per
centum per annum, payable quarterly, from the tliirty
/u^t day of December, one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-five; transferable in the same manner as is provi
ded by law for the transfer ofthc stock subscribed, and sub
let to redemption at the pleasure of the United States, as
follows: one half at any time after the thirty-first day of
December, one thousand eight iuiudrcd and twenty-eight;
and the remainder at any time after the thirty-first day of
December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine:
Provided, That no reimbursement shall he made except for
rbc whole amount of such new certificate; nor until after
at least six months public notice of such intended reim
bursement. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of
the Treasury to cause to be retransferred to the respective
subscribers the several sums by them subscribed beyond the
amount of the certificates of four and one half per cent,
stock issued to them rcsncctivelv.
“Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the same
funds which have heretofore been, and now arc, pledged
t.y law for the payment of the interest, and for the redemp
tion and reimbursement of the stock which may be re
termed or reimbursed by virtue of tire provisions of this act,
•raii remain pledged in like manner for the payment of the
interest accruing on the stock created by reason of such
subscription, and for the redemption or reimbursement of
tire principal of tbc same. And it shall he the duty of tire
commissioners of the sinking fund to cause to be applied
an l paid, out of the said fund, yearly and every year, such
sum abd stuns ns may be annually required to disrliarge
tlm interest accruing on the stock which may be created bv
virtue ol tins act. The said commissioners are, also, hereby
u-ithorized to apply, from time to time, such sum and sums
'mi of the said fund, as they tnay think proper,towards re
iterating, by purchase, or by reimbursement, in conformity
■vii.li the provisions of this act, the principal of the said
-t»>ck; and such part of the annual sum of ten millions of
collars, vested by law in the said commissioners, as may be
necessary and required for tbc above purposes, shall be
and continue appropriated to the payment of interest and
redemption of the public debt, until the whole of the stork
which may bo created under tbc provisions of this act,
sit all have been redeemed or reimbursed,”
Now, therefore, notice is hereby given, that books will be
opened at the Treasury of the United Slates, and at the
several loan offices, on the first day r.f April next, and con
tinue open until the first day of October thereafter, for re
reiving subscriptions in conformity with the provisions of »ht
laid law.
i Uo subscriptions may be made by the proprietors of tht
stock, either in person or by their Attorneys duly autboriz
rd to subscribe and transfer it to the boiled Stales.
Should subscriptions of said stock be made to an amount
exceeding twelve millions of dollars, a distribution of tin
s lid sum of twelve millions will be made among the sulv
scribcrs, i.i propo^iou to the sum* subscribed by them teg,
pectivcly.
S^l.lUEL L. SOUTHARD,
Acting Secretary of the Treasury
Marctf22 551
JOS PRINTING.
ORDERS for Printing JOBS, of every description, re
ceived at the Office of the Cosstitittiowal Whig
and correctly executed, with tbc utmost dispatch, in th
a*«tcst r»ann*"i and on moderate term*.
LAND FOR SALE.
J Offer Tor sale, my LAND lying in the County of Gooch
J. land, on the main ro.nl, 24 miles from Richmond, and
within Jill of a mile of the mouth of Beavcrdam Creek an.*
James ltiver, adjoining the lands of Dr. Joseph Trent, Mr.
James Pleasants and others. The tract coutains24l acres!
including a sufficient quantity of wood land; it is divided
into four fields, each having a constant stream of water,
and affording ubout 30 acres of flat land, well drained and
nearly equnl in fertility to James River low grounds. This
land abounds in wild locust, (an evidence of the strength of
the soil,) and there are now cut posts ot that wood suffi
cient to enclose it, the improvements arc, a small but com
fortable Dwelling-House, will} a cellar, and other necessa
ry out houses, with a large new Barn, a well of excellent
water within 20 steps of the door, and an abundance of
select fruit trees of various kinds.—This little place bcin«
in a healthy and agreeable neighborhood, would be a plea
sant retreat during the fall months to a person residing in
Richmond, or in any sickly part of the lower country. 1
will treat privately for the sale of this property until the 25th
October next, on which day (if not previously sold,) it w ill
be oflared at public auction on the premises. Teniis—cue
third of the purchase money in hand, and the balance in
two equal annual payments; the two last payments fif
agreeable to the purchaser) will he taken in Ohio laud, at
a fair price, if situate anywhere in the neighborhood of
Chillicothe, Ciucinatti or Columbus. Any further infor
mation desired, may he had by reference to jMcssrs. Colton
A: Clarke or Mr. Preston Smith, Richmond, and to the sub
scriber on tlie premises. GRANVILLE SMITH.
Goochland, 15th Sep. 1825. 67_gt
TREASURY HEPJUITMEAT, 29th April. 1825.1
NOTICE b hereby given, that on the first day ofOctober i
next, the principal of the six per cent, stock of the
United States, created under the authority of an act of
Congress entitled, “an act authorising a loan for a sum not
exceeding eleven millions of dollars,” opened on the 14th 1
day of March, 1812, together with the interest then due i
thereon, will be paid to the proprietors of said stock, oi '■
their attornics duly authorised, at the Treasury of the j
United States in Washington, and at the several loan offices !
on the books of which any portion of said stork may stand.
A surrender of the certificates of said stock will he re- j
quired at the time of payment, and the interest on said
stock will cease from and alter the 30th day of September
next. SAM’], L. SOUTHARD,
may 6—43t .4 cling Scc'j/ of the Treasiiri/.
BACON, HERRINGS, &c.
I have in Store, on Consignment,
25.000 lbs. of Smithfieh! Bacon,
250 barrels of cut herrings,
200 du gross do
50 do apple brandy
hO do rectified whiskey
10 do do gin
2> kegs of family lard
10,000 very superior and cuihmon segar
Family Hour, cider vinegar, peach brandy,
N. E. rum, N. Y. beer,
Cut and wrought nails, &c. &r.
Which l will sell on the most reasonable terms.
Jit so DAVLVs PLOUGHS, of all sizes.
JA’S WINSTON,
I July 29 Market Bninav.
TO THE PUBLIC.
We hate Received, and have now in Store,
150 •Bids. Sugar, of various qualities, a part of
which prime
400 bags Lnguira and other green codecs
100 bags pepper
100 boxes soap
300 casks cut nails
200 barrels loaf sugar
20 pipes imitation brandy
10 do. superior Cognac brandy
10 do. Holland gin, superior
10 boxes fig blue
10 do. starch
1 hhd. superior old Antigua ruin
1 do. Cognac brandy
15 hiids. molasses
21 casks sweet Malaga wine
30 barrels Ntnv-Englaud rum
5 lihds. Jamaica do
50 barrels Kentucky whiskey
I JO quaiter casks Sicily Madeira wine
; 2.5 kegs saltpetre
15 dozen sifters
150 kegs English lead
250 do. American do.
AND WILL RECEIVE
In a few days, from Boston, JVew- Yuri;, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Norfolk and Providence,
59/hlids. sugars, superior
73 do. molasses, uncommonly bright and fine
I it bags old u bite codec
10 lihds. copperas
100 barrels Mackerel, No. 3
150 boxes soap
3JO bags shot
♦if* half boxes segars
30 puncheons fine Antigua rum
100 packages American Cotton Goods,of first quality;
ALSO,
500 kegs Rogers’ gunpowder.
All ot which will be sold ou the most liberal terms.
MONCUKE, ROBINSON fc PLEASANTS.
August 19—tf.
THE SEVENTH CLASS OK THE
Quautico Canal Lottery of Virginia,
To be Drawn on the 2d day of November, 1825, and
finished in a. few minutes.
ARCHIBALD BYFIDJTYRE, Manager.
HIGHEST PRIZE
20,000 DOLLARS!
SCHEME.
I Prize of $20,000 is $20,000
1 do 10,000 10,000
2 do 5,000 10,000
2 do 2,1*56 5,912
12 do 1,000 12,000
22 do 500 6.000
30 do 100 3,000
160 do 50 6,400
163 do 25 4,200
1,341 do 12 16,123
11,340 do 6 68,040
13,080 Prizes, $163,680
19,656 Blanks.
32,736 Tickets, - - - $163,680
il.f’Tickets and Shares may be had at the
manager’# <Dffifee,
Under the Ragle Hotel, Richmond,at thefollowing price,vie.
Whole Tickets, $ 6 00
Half do 3 <H>
Quaker do 1 50
. Packages of eleven tickets, embracing the 33 Nos.
of the Lottery, which must of necessity draw at leas!
$25 50, nett, with so many chances for capitals, or
Shares of packages, may be had at the same rate.
Prizes in the Lotlcrit-s of New York, New-.Tersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North
Carol ina and Washington City, will lie received in pay
ment.
. Orders enclosing the cash, or prize**, as above, free ol
, postage, for tickets or shares, will receive prompt at
► tentioo, if addressed to
A. MTNTYRE, rticfwnmtf, Va.
! gflfte <Eongtfttttsoual sgsijig.
j LOSS OF THE SHIP O’CAIX.
"’c have pc; used the private journal of Mr. William
I Stanwood, late supercargo of the ship O’Cain, in which
»ve lind a more particular account of the loss of that
ship than has hitherto been published. Mr. Stanwood
makes very favorable mention of the nautical skill and
ability of Copt. Lewis Henchman. ‘
I lie sufferings of the unfortunate crew of the O’Cain
as orally communicated to u», were indescribably pain
ful—it »s almost a miracle, that any of them were res
cued from the waves, to relate to the world the particu
lars of their shipwreck. We understand that Mr. Ca
dy, one of the passengers, who had resided several years
in Valparaiso, and who was returning from a visit to
his tricuds in America, had property (principally doub
loons and jewelry) on board the ship valued at between
II and 12,000 dollars, all of which was lost. Mr.
•Stanwood speaks in warm and grateful terms of the lm- |
mane and generous attentions bestowed upon the offi- I
cers, crew and passengers of the O’Cain, by the Eng- j
lish and American residents at Valparaiso.
[Boston Gcu.
Extract from the private journal ofJVr. Sfamcood. 1
April 22.—At 12, A. M. observed, 34 03 S. land in
sight, running along to the southward, nearest about G
or 7 leagues, very bold and mountainous. A ship in
sight, under roeied topsails and fore courses on (be wind,
apparently endeavoring to get to the southward. At
30 minutes past tneridinu, all hands at dinner fore and
aft, a rocf was descried about one point under our Ice,
apparently 2 miles distant. The ship was then running
at the rate of tl miles an hour, with royals out, and wind
nearly aft inclining a little to the westward. The helm
wa, put haid to the starboard to bring her to the wind to
haul off shore, but before it could he done, she struck
with tremendous force on some submarine rocks. Her
main topmast immediately went over the side, and the
ship went to pieces with astonishing rapidity, the break
ers dashing over her in great fury—long-boat lashed,
and could not be g«.t at until it had bilged—small boat
stove, and among the pieces of the wreck—the quarter
boat parted with the captain in her, from her davit falls
and was soon out of reach. Our situation was truly
dreadful, expecting the next breaker would entirely
ingulf us. Mr. Cady, a passenger, with one of the
boys, committed themselves to the mercy of the waves
on a piece of the wreck—also, the chief officer, with one
of the seamen, leaving 15 on the wreck. The masts
soon went over the side—stern posts came off, and the
deck was left apparently free from the bottom, and rose
and fell with the heavy breakers—sea covered with the
cargo, as far as the eye could discern. There appear
™ °ur ocmg saved, as it was late, and
the snip, winch was under a crowd of sail, t\ as still far
to leeward of us—night sets in while we are employed
in constructing a rail—wind increasing, and sea ma
iling last—we are compelled to seek safety in the tops
of the masts, all of which lie to windward, and are the
ineaDs of keeping the deck from going to pieces. A
brig passed us at sunset about 2 miles otr, apparently
not aware of tkeic being any dangers near. During
the night the weather was excessively cold—a strone
wind and heavy sea, which made the breakers very
violent—were obliged to desert the quarter deck ere
it was dark, as it appeared to be fast going to pieces—
all took refuge in the tops, or on tjie windlass, which
was washed away about 12 o’clock; we had timely no
tice of its going, by it» moving violently; observed a
i iig’iit same lime about N. IN. W.; commenced striking*
the hell of the ship, in case any boat should be near
Monday.—Wind has abated, find the quarter deck
still good and preferable to our present situation, as we
are nearly under water—the bow settling fast with the !
weight of the chain cable and four anchors, two bent!
and over the bow, and the tops rolling us under water '
every moment, and numerous fragments of the wreck
dashing against and wounding us—two of the seamen
badly wounded, and one passenger so cxhau-led, we
are obliged to lash him in the fore-top, which lies across
the how. At 7, not descrying the ship, we dashed
through the breakers, guided by our bower cable, and
reached the quarter-deck, which we found nearly sepa
rated, and held only by the cable from the steerage, and
? few plunks, which caused us considerable comfort, as
it would prove a safer raft than any we could make._
At 3, mist clearing away, descried the ship to leeward i
a.iout / or 3 miles—soon observed she had her slar
hoard lacks on board, and headed neatly up to (he i
wreck. VVc gave three cheers, and went to work cut- !
ting away the quarter deck from the mainland cutting '
the cable, when we found it still held; after a search, it i
was ascertained to be tire stump of the rniz/.cn-mast; I
aitei sev eral ineffectual attempts to clear it, wc gave up,!
and turned our attention to the small boat, which lav
across the bow and stove; two seamen gallantly under- I
took the dangerous task of getting her alongside the
quarter oeck, which, after nearly an hour, thev succeed
ed in doing we repaired her by breaking up a box
containing some furniture, and three were lo go to the
ship and inform them of our situation—while delibera
ting, a heavy breaker broke the quaitcr deck com
pletely clear of the wreck, and we launched ofT before
tbt sea and wind at the rale of 2 miles per hour, having
a tarpaulin hoisted on a broken oar, and one oar to steer
— — i :_i.-ii. i ... . .
in aiong wind aoeam. 1
liad now an opportunity of examining the spot which
had been so fatal to us. It appeared to be a sunken
rock, not more than 20 rods square and had about 1$
feet water on it, it did not break at all on our first stri
king—towards sunset it commenced to break high, and
at night the rollers were terrific, completely burying us.
The reef which we dcsciied, appeared about l£or2
miles in shore of us hearing about NE. winch shew it
self to bo high out of water, and a chain of scraggy
black rocks—sea always breaking very high on them,
i On first leaving the wreck we were drifting directly on
to them; but by help of sail and steering, we cleared
j them——at 1 1 A. M. ship very near, showing American
I colours, which wc repeatedly cheered, and soon saw
two whale boats coining towards ns—at 12 A. M. reach
ed the ship, which proved to be the Enterprise, of Nan
tucket, Capt. Reuben Weeks, wlur treated us very hu
manely, supplied us with clothes and food, and promis
ed to land ns at Valparaiso.
April 24.—Commernces with light airs and pleasant;
found all our adventurers safe and picked up before
night. We suffer much from being so long in the water
—feet and legs much swollen and bruised by the pieces
of wreck; passed some Hour and boxes—also pieces of
tiie wreck. Midnight, light breezes and pleasant—
noon, more overcast. Running the coast along, land
remarkably high, mountains in land covered with
snow.
April 26.—At 4 P. M. run into Valparaiso and hove
too. Was boarded by the boats of tho Amorican fri
gate LT nited States and the Captain of tho port; took a
friendly leave of Capt. Weeks, and weDt on board the
frigate, and from thence to the shore; many people
around us, inquiring the particulars of our disaster._
Mr. H. Jerauld who has long been a resident here, took
me under his obaige; supplied me with clothes out of
his own wardrobe, and invited me to stay with him till
I could ‘’better my situation.” This humanity from a
stranger greatly affected me. I had no reason to ex
pect so much hospitality; but “I am a bachelor—and
like to have a companion with me,” was his delicate
and humane reply to my expressions of my grateful
feelings for his humanity and extreme liberality.
Appointment by the President.—Wii.v.iam H. D. C.
Wright, of Maryland, to be Consol of the United
States for the port of Bio tie Janeiro, In Brazil.
DEFENCE OF LIEUT. HART AGE.
[ I Jjc following extracts from the defence delivered be
foie the Court Martial by Lieut. Damage, embrace all
the tacts which have been touched upon during the
trial. • r o
“ The charges preferred against me r.re threp in num
ber, namely—Neglect in the performance of my Duty:
Conduct unbecoming an Officer and Gcutleinan; and
ppressive Conduct. The first of these contains four
specifications; the secoud seven: and the last, a single
one. 1 shall now proceed to their*consideration, and,
taking them in the order in which they are placed, make
such observations on each as I hope"and trust will be
found acceptable to this Court.
CHARGE THE FIRST—NEGLECT OF DUTY.
The first specification under this charge, accuses me
of several times having neglected to overhaul and exam
ine suspicious looking vessels which I came in sight of,
on the coast ofCuba, although requested and imvortun
ed so to do by my officers. This charge is founded on a
mere difference of opinion ofiny junior officers set up in
opposition to mine.
As commander of the United Stales1 schooner Por
poise, i exercised, in allcascs, my «mvii judgment, as to
what vessels io pursue;, and such was my discipline’, that
no officer could have imjmrfitnn/ rue to pursuit with im
punity.
It is to me a matter of great surprise, aud uo less con- j
solntion, that, in the arduous and active service on which
1 was so Jong engage,!, and where such a multitude of
vessels were puisucd and examined, that so few cases '
have been brought forward in which my officers differed !
with me m opinion.
The second specification accuses me of recalling i
)oals sent in pursuit ot suspicious-looking vessels, when ■
on the point of coming in contact with them, and !
giving no reason for so doing. This is another matter j
of opinion between my officers and myself, as regards '
suspicious looking vessels; and in explanation of which,
hog leave to remark to the Court, that at the time al
luded to suck was the excitement produced on the
minds of all bv the acts of piracy then daily committed,
tint every vessel discovered was regarded as suspicious.
iwy extensive operations on the coast of Cuba, are a
m alter of public notoriety. The official accounts were, '
at the tune, published by the government: and, in the
emphatic language of the Secretary of the Navy, afford
satisfactory evidence of my activity and success in the
discharge of my duly. The testimony of every officer
who served with me Ims proved the fact, and in the few
cases in which 1 recalled boats, 1 can only state that it
was forme to be the judge of such a measure, nor was
l hound to give my reasons for so doing to mv own offi
cers. 1 J \
The third and fourth specifications under this first
charge, accuse me of receiving insults and indignities
Irorn two Spanish vessels of war, without rcpelliii«- the
same, and without requiring or obtaining any adequate
atonement. 1
The Lets of this case are simply and briefly these—
and I think they aie completely proved by every wit
ness who lias been examined in relation to thorn. Early
on the morning of the 7th July, on my passage from St.
Bartholomews to St. Thomas, Mr. Kingston, who was
then officer of the* watch, reported to me that two sails
were in sight. 1 immediately went on deck, and on
looking at them with my glass, discovered they were
vessels of war; one a full-rigged brig, the other a her
maphrodite. 1 instantly directed the officer to heat to
I ‘luartcrs arul prepare for action, and then ran down b«.
I 4l-° t’.«irtd States flying,
they showing Colombian colours. Supposing the fufi
ngged hng to be the vessel of the greater force and
commanded by the senior officer, I steered for her: on
our course, and while passing (he hermaphrodite brig
she fired a gun, which was promptly returned, /fas is |
staled, ihe gun was not directed at the vessel, it was .n i
consequence of our peculiar position not permitting it to
hear on her, hut certainly not from any orders of mine:
my great object was to return promptly the fire. On
nearing the full-rigged brig, a gun was received from
her, and instantly returned hy mv orders. The brig
then commenced a fire upon the Porpoise. I was stand
mg, at ibis time, on the tatrrel platform, on an elevated
situation, closely observing her with my glass: her crew
appeared in great confusion. On hearing the bails of
the musketry pass me, I directed Mr. Curtis to wear
immediately, and man ihe larboard guns, with the in
tention of ranging nn.ler the brig’s quarter, and giving
•ler onr broadside. In the performance of this act, and
while the men were hauling m Ihe main sheet, 1 cast a
glanee at the boom, observed it coming over slowly, and
thought I had time to take another look at ihe enemy
with my glass, before it reached me. When, however,
it was nearly a-mid-ships, the sail filled on the other
Side, and it then came with such force and rapidity,
that, although 1 attempted to jump on the deck, before
f could accomplish rny intention I was struck ou the
head, and fell senseless. Lieut. Curtis ran :md picked
me up, in that situation: and I believe it was the opinion
of all on board (hat I was shot. When I first recover- I
ed, I knew not the extent of the injury I had received, *
nor had I any recollection of what had occured. The'
fust impression made on my mind hy the information
received was, that the firing had ceased. I then direct
ed Mr. Curlis to hoard and examine the brig, and de
mand the cause of the unwarranted attack which had
been made. Shortly after, a Spanish officer came on
board; he informed me be had been 3cnt with an apoio
■>"in in-, commander, ana ins own commission for my
inspection, f asked him lo walk below, and stated that
I would examine it. At this time I was suffering- severe
ly from the blow on my head. The officer spoke En
glish, and presented me his commission, signed by the
kiog of Spain. I took from it a memorandum of the
name and force of his vessel, and from him that of the
hermaphrodite bri*:. FFestated that both were national
ernizers, from Cadiz, and bad lately arrived in those
seas, and declared (he sorrow of his commander at the I
circumstance which had occurcd, asserting that it was !
the act of his men. and unauthorized by him: and he
stepped the firing as soon as he was able. FFe then
tendered any apology I would require.
As this time, F was informed the brig was nearing us.
T came on deck and hailed Mr. Curtis to come on b<Tard.
I did not hear his reply, nor did I ever learn it, either
from himself or others, until long afterwards. When
Mr. Curtis came on hoard, ho reported to me that the i
vessels were his Catholic Majesty’s brigs IFovis and j
Palmyra, from Cadiz, on a cruize; that he had examined ■
the commission of the former, which appeared legal,
and that the commander expressed himself in terms of
great regret for the affair that had taken place. The
Spanish officer was sent on hoard by a boat from my
vessel, his own having been stove a^long-side; and on the
return of that boat, I received the apology presented to
the Court.
TFIE SECOND CHARGE.
Conduct unbecoming- an Officer and Gcnilcmrtn.
The first specification thereof is, (hat I had refused to I
receive ladies and other pers*«s on board the Porpoise, j
(in an trnofficer like and ungcntleman like manner,) nn-1
dcr certain circumstances of alleged distress. In sup
port of this charge no other testimony is produced than I
that of Mr. Hook, the present Collector of the port of!
Castme. and I submit it to the consideration of the!
Court, how far, by bis own statement, the gentleman'
was authorized in making so ungailant a charge against i
an officer, who, he has solemnly sworn, he did not re
I cognise, but only believed to be the one who made him
the reply—and what was tho reply? That United States
vessels were prohibited by their regulations from carry-1
ing passengers. 1 disclaim all knowledge of this trans-!
! action, although ! am at all time? most willing to render
: J
I cvcr.v assistance to my "felfow citizens in distress; but I
j do not conceive that the case of Mr. Hooknnd his par
, l}, as stated by himself, was one of that nature: lieaji
j pears to have been safely lodged in a hotel on the banks
; of the Mississippi, vrhore packet vessels and others were
I daily passing. Had Mr. Hook known what was due tu
courtesy, he would have come on board the Porpoise,
and respectfully requested a passage to New Orleans!
He did not do so, and therefore he cannot be surprised
that he was answered as he deserved.
The 2d specification accuses me of being grossly and
publicly insulted by Col. Davis, at New Orleans. ' Thu
j un,y evidence in this case, is. the Colonel himself, and
j to his testimony, so honourable to him ns a man, and
J.instbi me, I refer the Cout t, and ask, how could this
I charge have ever been preferred?
The 3d, -1th, and 6th specifications, I submit to the
t 'outt, upon the testimony of the witnesses. They rc
. late to subjects I dislike to dwell on; nor can I so far
lower myself in iny own estimation, as attempt any refu
! tation of them.
The 5th specification charges me with having made to
| the Department, as false and imperfect account of the
afTair with two Spanish brigs of war; and with conceal
ing some of (he indignities received from them. As I
have before remarked, tin's affair bas been strictly in
vestigated; and on comparing my letter to the Navv
Department, with the testimony in the case, it will be
perceived I have stated most correctly the force of guus
and men of the Bovis, as reported to me, by Mr. Curtis;
and that of the other brig was unknown to us nil. and
her name and force only stated by me from the accounts
which the Spanish officer brought on board.
I’bc 7tli specification charges me with omitting to
take proper measures to vindicate myself, after know
ing that iny conduct had been implicated on some of the
foregoing occasions. The evideoce of Lieuts. Ocllera
and Skinner, and the correspondence of Lieut. Gre
gory, will, I trust, fully acquit me of this charge.
THE THIRD AND LAST CHARGE IS,
Oppressive Conduct.
And the single specification under:t, that I had arbi
trarily and oppressively arrested Lieut Wulburl. I have
only to state, that it was iny opinion then, and it is my
opinion now, that he merited great praise for Ins exer
tions in saving the brig Phirbc Ann; but richly deserved
being arrested for his subsequent conduct. I refer to
the opinion of the case, expressed by the Secretary of
the Navy in his letter to me, now before the Court.
The decision of tlie Court Martial in the case of
Lieut. Ram \c.e, and tho approval of that decision, fol
low these remarks. \Ve have great satisfaction in coiri
municating the result. Not only has Lieut. Ramage
been honorably acquitted of every charge preferred
against him, but the charges themselves have been pro
nounced malicious. Our readers will bear in mind,
that these charges were preferred hv Lieut. Wolhert,
who acted under the command of Lieut. Ramage on
board the Porpoise during her late cruise. The gallant
i °dicer who was the object of this groundless prosecution
j 'Gh now return to his duly, more firmly established in
j the confidence of Government and his country from the
! investigation, unpleasant as it was in its process, which
his conduct lias undergone.—Jour.
Ntavv Department, )
September 14Ui, 1025.
Sin: I have sincere gratification in the sentence of
; ll,e Court which acquits you “most honoiat iof tlie
• °harges which have been preferred against % oil.
Vou are relieved from your arrest, and restored to tho
I sen ice with ample testimonial, that your former good
character w as inuited, anil a safe pledge, fur the future,
that it will be sustained without reproach.
i am very respectfully, .Sir, your obedient son ant,
. _ , SA.Vl'L L. SOUTHARD.
I.t. James Ramage, U. S. JVavy, Washington.
At a General Court Martial, held in the City of
, as,,u*gtun, by vii tue of a precept from the Honorable
tlie Secretaiy of the Navy, hearing date the seven
teenth day oi August, in the year of our Lord one thou
sand eight hundred and twenty-five, and continued by
adjournment, from day to day, until this eighth dav of
September, instant—Present,
Captain James Rarron, President,
Stephen Cass in,
James Renshaw,
Thomas Rrow.v,
( iiAnr.Es C. R. Thompson,
Alexander S. Wadsworth, and
Georgl W. Rodgers, .Members; and
t Rich ard S. (..’ox, Judge .‘Idvucate—
1 he Court having examined and duly deliberated
upon the Charges and SpeciGcalious, the evidence and
defence, in the case of Lieutenant James Ramage,
proceeded this day to pronounce its judgment upon tho
same. The Court is of opinion that no one of the Spc
cideations of either of the Charges i3 proved; and the
Court does therefore pronounce and adjudge, that tho
said Lieut. James Ramage is not guilty of’ any one of
tlie said Charges.
The Court is of opinion that these Charges are utter
ly false, groundless, and malicious; and it docs most ho
norably acquit the accused of having afforded even the
slightest foundation for the calumnies with which his
reputation has been so injuriously and wantouly assailed
by the prosecutor.
JAMLS BARRON, President,
S. CASSIN,
JAMES IlENSHAW.
TIJOS. BROWN,
CHS. C. B. THOMPSON,
ALEXR. S. WADSWORTH,
GKO. W. RODGERS.
RirfMKii S. Coxk, Judge Advocate.
Navy Department, 13th Sept. 182o.
Ai'provud:
S A ML, L. SOUTHARD.
Wc rejoice to have it in otir power to lay before our
readers the following official report from Commodore
Warrington, by which it will be seen that the pirate .
hordes along the coast of Cuba have been completely
broken tip. The fact that these depredator* can no
longer exhibit (hemselves in such force as to cause any
serious alarm, will give new confidence to those enga
ged in the peaceful pursuits of commerce; and the ener
gy which has been exercised in the extermination of
the corsairs, will add still more to the favour which our
gallant navy already so deservedly enjoys with the peo
ple of the United States:—Nat. ,/o»r.
U. S. Ship Constellation, >
Off Havana, Aug. 29th 1825. $
StR: To enable you to ascertain what exertioa* have
been made by, and what success has attended the ef
forts of the sipindron under my command, I forward by
this conveyance, a copy of all the reports made by Ike
different commanders of its cruisers. If Pirates are
now, or have been, in force lately on either side of Cuba,
tb^y have not only abstained from making captures, but
have concealed themselves so effectually as to prevent
detection. The orderly crind.net of the. fishermen on
(he coast, the steady pursuit of their occapation. and
the absence of all suspicious persons, induce a belief
that these outlaws are not at present collected in any
force. I shall, however, keep a watchful eye on the Is
land, and prevent, if possible, the commission of depre
dations which may be attempted undor a belief that wc
are relying too much on appearasices.
I am, with great respect, your obut. servf.
L. WARRINGTON.
To tbs Hdh* Secretary of (ho Navy, Washington*