John Hadden, Cotton Brown, Peter Ellison, John Parker, Geo. Percival, Peter Summers, Wm. Hendrick, R. Macdonald, Francis Conhoven, Thomas Short, Wm. Moody, David Creighton, John Martyr, James Eppes, Emanuel Hendricks, John Wilson, Wm. Warren, and John Bates, and having one gun ready, fired and hauled down the colours. The Leopard ceased firing and sent her boat on board, mustered the ship's company. At sun down they left the ship, taking with them four men, viz. John Strawn, Daniel Martin, Wm. Ware, and John Wilson, who had deserted from their service; at the same time lieutenant Allen went on board and returned at eight o'clock. The Leopard left us and stood in. We then made sail and stood in shore, having three and half feet water in our hold. Crew employed in pumping and working ship in for Hampton Roads, got the anchors clear for coming to. At six A. M. took the third reef in the main topsail, and set top-gallant-sails. Held a survey on the masts and rigging. At eight Cape Henry bore s. w. distant four or five miles: employed working ship in for Hampton Roads. At half past meridian came to with the starboard anchor in seven fathoms water, in Hampton Roads. B. Norfolk, June 29, 1807. SIR, The enclosed papers, No. 1 and 2, you will perceive, are from the committee of the people of Norfolk, calling on me for aid, with the gun-boats under my command, to prevent an invasion, which has been threatened by the commanding officer of the British squadron, lying in the vicinity of this place. You will see, sir, by No. 3, my reply. The British commander has also threatened that he will again take possession of the Chesapeake. I have it also from unquestionable authority, that they have asserted positively, that in case the President should issue a similar order to that issued respecting the Leander, they will consider it as an act of hostility, and will commence hostile operations immediately. Under an impression that they will do as they say, I hope and feel satisfied, my pre paring to act on the defensive, will meet the approbation of the President and yourself. If, however, it should be thought I have been precipitate, I beg it may be attributed to my extreme desire not to omit any service I might render my country. The four old gun-boats are all that can be immediately equipped for service: these we commenced fitting this morning. They are now entirely ready for the reception of the men, who, I trust, will come forward in sufficient numbers to authorize our proceeding to Hampton to-morrow. Sir, as I have no doubt, from the threats the British have made, we shall have to fight, I shall not leave this until the boats are manned to my satisfaction; to do which it will take one hundred and sixty men. The British, if they attempt any thing against us, it will be in the night, with row boats, or other boats that they may press. The row boats belonging to their squadron are capable of carrying 500 men with ease. This number, if we are full manned, I feel confident of being able to oppose. I beg you, sir, however, to bear in mind that our crews will be composed of volunteers who, notwithstanding their great zeal, will not possess all the skill we could wish. I should, however, be mortified, if it were understood, I wished to convey an idea, that as much should not be expected from us as ought to be expected from any four gun-boats. More, I hope, will not be expected. The new boats at this place can be in readiness in a short time, should you choose to order it. Although, sir, I shall always be ready to serve my country in any way I can be useful, I hope, sir, if the frigates are to be fitted out, I shall not be continued in gun-boats. The gentlemen, who have volunteered their services, have agreed to stay with us only until such time as we shall hear from Washington, what steps will be taken, which will be on Thursday. I have the honour to be, &c. STEPHEN DECATUR, JUN. The Hon. Robert Smith, No. 1. Norfolk, June 23, 1807. SIR, We take pleasure in presenting to you the resolution of the committee appointed by the inhabitants of this borough, now enclosed. Requesting your answer to the resolution, we are, with the highest respect, &c. THOMAS BLANCHARD, J. W. MURDAUGH. Captain Decatur. No. 2. Norfolk, June 28, 1307. WHEREAS the committee have received information, from various sources, that the commanders of the British ships of war have menaced the inhabitants of Hampton with an invasion, for the purpose of procuring water. It is resolved, that application be made to captain Stephen Decatur, commander of the United States naval force at this place, to equip the gun-boats, by availing himself of the services of the captains and seamen who have proffered them, to proceed to Hampton, or as near it as he may judge proper, to co-operate with the people in their defence, in any manner he may judge most expedient, or to act as circumstances may dictate in preventing the exccution of their threat. Resolved, that Thomas Blanchard, Seth Foster, and J. W. Murdaugh, be a committee to wait on captain Decatur with this application. Extract from the minutes. THEO. ARMISTEAD, Secretary of the Committee. No. 3. Norfolk, June 28, 1807. GENTLEMEN, I have received your letter of this day, enclosing the resolutions of the committee, calling on me, as the commander of the naval force at this place, to equip and resist, with the gun-boats under my command, a threatened invasion of the territory of the United States by the British now lying in the waters of the Chesapeake. Having the fullest confidence that the committee would not have made a request of this nature, unless they were fully impressed with a belief that the hostility spoken of was certainly intended, I feel it my duty to repel, as far as I have power, any such attempt that may be made; for which purpose, if a sufficient number of volunteers can be procured, I will repair to Hampton with all possible expedition. I have the honour to be, &c. To THOMAS BLANCHARD, SETH FOSTER, J. W. MURDAUGH, STEPHEN DECATUR. Esquires, Extract of a Letter from Commodore Stephen Decatur, to the Secretary of the Navy. United States Frigate Chesapeake, July 4, 1807. WHEN I was honoured with your orders, I was on board the gun-boats; four of them are only wanting men to place them in a complete state of readiness for immediate service. The Chesapeake, when I took command of her, had been brought up into the bite of Crany Island, in consequence of the threats of the British. Their movements, sir, are extremely suspicious. Since the affair of the Leopard and Chesapeake, they have been at anchor inside of the capes, and have brought to by firing at, every vessel that has passed in or out of the capes. They have sent many insolent and menacing messages to Norfolk: such as, if the people did not supply them with articles they might want, they would come up and retake the Chesapeake, and cut out the French frigate Sybell. This, sir, from their movements, it is my opinion they intend to attempt. Yesterday afternoon the four British ships came in and anchored in Hampton Roads; this morning they sent their tenders, and sounded quite through the narrows. present situation of the Chesapeake and Sybell is such, in consequence of the narrowness of the channel, that if an attempt was made on either of them by the ships, they The could not render to each other that support which would be necessary in consequence of this, I have determined to move up nearer the town, where we shall be able to take such position as will enable us, with the assistance of the fort, to make such a defence, as may render abortive any attempt that may be made upon us. I have just learned that the depth of the water from Hampton Roads to Norfolk will admit of three of the British squadron coming up. Copy of a Letter from Commodore Stephen Decatur, jun. to the Secretary of the Navy. U. S. Frigate Chesapeake, July 4, 1807. SIR,-I have just been informed by Dr. Bullus, who has returned from Norfolk, that commodore Douglass, commander of the British squadron, has written to the inhabitants of Norfolk, that in consequence of some resolves passed by a committee selected from the inhabitants of Norfolk and its vicinity, he has anchored his ships in such a position as to prevent any vessels going to, or coming from Norfolk-which he is determined to do if those resolves are not rescinded. I have the honour to be, &c. &c. STEPHEN DECATUR, JUN. Extract of a Letter from Commodore Decatur to the Secretary of the Navy. U. States Frigate Chesapeake, Norfolk, July 8, 1807. "THE menacing letter written by commodore Douglass to the mayor of Norfolk, he has since stated, verbally, contained no menace; and he has further said, that he has no hostile intention against Norfolk. However, sir, you will see, by the enclosed affidavit, that his actions do not comport with his words. He has lightened his ships since the pacifick message he sent to the mayor, and the day before yesterday he fired many shot at an Eastern Shore man. If he makes an attempt to come up, with the force they speak of, I think I am not over sanguine when I say, 1 believe they will not all go down again.' |