bloody flag of the Avon paid its homage to the "strip-A list of British vessels captured by the U. S. S. Wasp, J. Blakely, ed bunting" of the Wasp. In sinking the Reindeer esq. commander, between the 27th August and 10th Sept. 1814. August 30, brig Lettice, Hy. Cockbain master, Joseph Tickell and the Avon, both of so nearly her force that either owner, 7 men, 90 tons, laden with barley, belonging to Working must be considered a "fair fight," we had only 6 ham, from Bayonne, 18 days out, bound to Liverpool, taken in killed and 26 wounded-the British joint loss was lat. 48 deg. N. long, 7 deg. 44 min. W. scuttled her. August 31, brig Bon Accord, Adam Durno master, John Saun34 killed, and 75 wounded. The Avon was the ves- ders, Jas. Mitchell and Jas. Jolmston owners, 7 men, 131 58-94 tons, sel that had behaved so impudently in the Delaware 21 days out, bound to London, taken in lat. 43 deg. min. N. laden with wool and wine, belonging to Aberdeen, from Seville, in 1810, while British vessels were interdicted our long. 8 deg. 50 m. W. scuttled her. waters in consequence of the insolence of their offiShe then carried 18 thirty-two pound carronades, besides bow and stern guns. Some of her shot that came on board the Wasp were of that weight; and, a "British official" to the contrary, there was little if any difference between the force of the two vessels. It would be well if the impertinent fellow who commanded the Avon in 1810 should also have had the command when Blakely put her pride in the "cellar."

cers.

Minutes of the action between the United States' ship Wasp, J. Blakeley, Esq. commander, and his Britannic majesty's sloop of war; lat. 47, 30, long. 11, on 1st Sept. 1814.

Sept. 1. brig Mary, John D. Allan master, 10 men, 151 tons, two belonging to Scarborough, from Gibraltar, 28 days out, bound to 12 pound carronades, laden with ordnance and military stores, Plymouth, taken in lat. 48 deg. N. long. 10 deg. W. burnt her. A list of British vessels captured by the U. S. S. Wasp, J. Blakely, esq. commander, between the 11th and the 22d Sept. 1814. Sept. 12th, brig Three Brothers, Thos. Clark marter, Jobn Clark owner, 7 men, 14 43-94 tons, two 3 pounders, laden with wine and barrilla, belonging to Whitby, from Lanzarote, 16 days deg. 58 min. W. senttled her. out, bound to London, taken in lat. 38 deg. 2 min. N. long. i

Sleat and Thos. Rend owners, 11 men, 169 59-94 tons, two 4 Sept. 14th, brig Bacchus, Wm. Stickens master, Richard W. pounders, laden with fish, belonging to Poole, from Newfoundland, 24 days out, bound to Gibraltar, taken in lat. 37 deg. 22 m. long. 14 deg. 33 min. W. scuttled her.

2

Sept. 21, brig Atalanta, Robert Jackson master, George Salkeld, Thomas Barclay, and George Barclay owners, 19 men, 257 tons, long nine-pounders and 6 nine-pound gunnades, laden with wine, brandy and silks, belonging to Liverpool, from Bordeaux, 9 days out, bound to Pensacola, taken in lat. 33 deg. 12 min. N. long. 14 deg. 56 min. W. sent her to the United States.

The following paragraphs were omitted in their proper place, at the conclusion of the proceedings of congress, page 203, until too late to remedy the defect without a great loss of time in over-running the page:

At 7 o'clock, called all hands to quarters and prepared for action; 7 h. 26 m. hoisted an American Newbern, N. C. Nov. 12. Arrived at this place jack at the fore, and pendant at the main; 7 h. 30 m. the Fox, of Baltimore, a tender to his B. M. ship set the mainsail; 7 h. 34 m. perceived the chase mak- Ramilies, with midshipman Crawford and seven ing signals with lights, &c.; 7 h. 45 m. set the mizen British seamen on board, left the Chesapeake on the and hoisted an American ensign at the peake; 7 b. 15th ult. with a convoy under the command of ad48 m. hoisted a light at the peake, and brailed up miral Malcolm, the Royal Oak-the tender parted the mizen; 7 h. 54 m. set the mizen to come up company, in a squall on the night of the 16th. Igwith the chase; 8 h. 3 m. the chase hauled down norant of the destination of the convoy, the tender his lights; 8 h. 7 m. burned a blue light on the fore- made the best of her way for Bermuda; on the evencastle; 8 h. 17 m. set the flying-jib; 8 h. 34 m. hauling of the 17th the tender lost her compass by a ed down the light at the peake; 8 h. 38 m. the chase break of the sea over her. And being left without fired a gun from his stern port; 8 h. 55 m. hauled the means of directing her course, made for the first up the mainsail; 9h. 15 m. set the mainsail; 9 h. land she could reach, met with very severe weather, 18 m. the chase fired a gun to leeward; 9 h. 20 m. and suffered much for want of provisions, and water, being then on the weather quarter of the chase, he on the 4th of November saw two brigs under the hailed and enquired "what ship is that"-not an- land, supposed to be British vessels, standing towswered, but asked "what brig is that"-he replied, ards them, got aground on Ocracock bar. In that situ"his majesty's brig" blowing fresh, the name ation the revenue cutter's boat boarded the tender, was not distinctly understood. He again hailed and and the people surrendered themselves as prisoners. asked "what ship is that," when he was told to heave to and he would be informed. He repeated his question, and was answered to the same effect. Mr. Carr was then sent forward to order him to heave to, which he declined doing; at 9h. 25 m. the enemy set his fore-topmast studdingsail; at 26 minutes after 9, fired the 12 pound carronade to [The business of the bank lies dead in the house make him heave to; when the enemy commenced-it is thought it may be revived in the senate.] action by firing his larboard guns. We then kept The house then took up the tax bills. The amendaway, ran under his lee, and 29 minutes after 9 ment made in committee of the whole, so as to imcommenced the action. At 10 o'clock ordered the pose a tax of 20 cents per gallon on spirits distilled, men to cease firing, and hailed the enemy to know was confirmed 107 to 41. Yeas and nays hereafter. if he had surrendered; no answer was returned to The bill was therefore passed and sent to the sethis-he resumed his fire and we continued ours;nate, as was the bill for laying a tax on carriages 10 h. 10 m. manned our starboard guns and fired and several miscellaneous articles. three or four of them, when orders were again giv Wednesday, November 30.-The house passed to en to cease firing; 10 h. 12 m, hailed the enemy; a third reading the two tax bills, and afterwards "have you surrendered," when they answered in the resolved itself into a committee of the whole on the affirmative. We were on the eve of taking posses-bill from the senate authorising a draft of 80,000 sion, when a sail was descried close on board of us militia for the defence of the frontier, and on the -orders were then given to clear the ship for action, bill for filling the regular army by a classification of which was promptly executed. We were then on the free male population. the point of wearing to engage the second, which we perceived to be a brig of war, when, at 25 minutes after 19, discovered two more sails, one astern, the other one point on our lee quarter, standing for us; or lers were then given to stand from the strange sails. The first sail seen approached within pistol shot, fired a broadside, and cut away one of our lower main cross trees, and did other damage, and immediately stood for the other two sails last discoverel, Continued on a course.

The bills were no more than read through, when, the house being thin, the committee rose, reported and adjourned.

The despatches from Ghent were laid before congress on Thursday-their great length prevents the possibility of their insertion in this number. The editor of the National Intelligencer observes that he is "compelled to believe the prospect of pacification is very faint." The sine qua non was, however, apparently abandoned.

No. 14 OF VOL. VII.]

following

BALTIMORE, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1814. [WHOLE NO. 170.

Printed and published by H. NILES, South-st. next door to the Merchants' Coffee House, at $5 per ann

Naval Report.

cy, whilst in the latter, general instruction, and sound discretion, not unfrequently ensure greater success and responsibility.

Navy Department, Nov. 15, 1814. Six-In obedience to the resolution of the That the duties enjoined, or which necessasenatë, passed on the 18th of March last, di-rily devolve upon the secretary of the navy, recting the secretary of the navy to devise and particularly during a period of active and didigest a system for the better organization of versified hostility, are beyond the powers of the navy of the United States, I have now the any individual to discharge to the best advanhonor to report the following system, with tage, cannot be doubted, although by great such prefatory observations as appear to me labor and assiduity, with adequate profespertinent to the occasion. sional qualifications, he may possibly, execute

It has been affirmed and cannot be denied, the general and most essential branches of that imperfections exist in the civil ad-duty with tolerable success. ministration of the naval establishment; hence in the progress of reform, whilst we pay it has been inferred, that a radical change of due respect to that system, the establishment system can alone remedy the evils. of which has attained the greatest celebrity,

Legislative wisdom will readily discrimi-more, it is believed, from its magnitude and nate between the constituent principles upon power, than from the excellence of its civil which the present establishment is predicated, administration, we ought not to lose sight of and has thus far prospered, and the defects its palpable and acknowledged defects; nor which result from the absence of an intelli-of those features in our own system, to which, gent, practical auxiliary agency, qualified to in no trivial degree, the exalted reputation of digest, arrange, and enforce a proper system our infant navy may be attributed. of detailed regulations, calculated to ensure That our navy is not excelled in any thing the judicious and faithful application of pub-which constitutes efficiency, perfect equiplie monies; a strict accountability in the ex-ments, and general good qualities, it is believpenditure of supplies; and a rigid executioned, will be admitted. That our seamen are of the duties enjoined on all the officers and better paid, fed, and accommodated, is no less agents connected with the establishment. true. That all the imported, and many of the Profusion, waste and abuse, are the inher-domestic articles of equipment, and of conent offspring of all extensive public institu-sumption in the service, are exceedingly entions; and if we occasionally perceive these hanced; that the wages of mechanical labor evils in some degree, in the naval establish-is more than double that which is paid by ment of the U. States, we are not thence to Great Britain; that our expenditure is greatly infer their absence from similar establish-jincreased by the interruption to navigable ments in other countries, where naval science transportion, and the great extent of the local and experience may be presumed to have pro-service, is equally obvious. Yet, under all vided greater safe-guards, and more numerous, these circumstances, it is demonstrable, that skilful, and vigilant agencies. upon a comparison of an equal quantity of tonBut regulations, however correct and ade nage and number of guns and men, or in prcquate to the end, become nugatory, or worse, portion to the number of men alone, our naval unless the authority and the means are co-expenditure is considerably less than that for extensive, and competent to enforce the exe-the navy of G. Britain, in which "one huncution, or punish the violation thereof. This dred and forty five thousand men are employmay account for the non-existence of many ed, at an expense of more than 20 millions of wholesome regulations in the civil adminis-pounds sterling annually." tration of the navy of the United States; and The local service is, from its scattered, irfor the imperfect execution of those which ex-regular, and irresponsible nature, much more. ist. Breaches of the latter too frequently es-expensive and wasteful than that of the regular cape with impunity, from the impossibility of navy; the more perfect organization of which, the head of the department taking cogni-and responsibility of command, ensure a more zance of all the multifarious concerns of the faithful superintendance and accountability. establishment. It is problematical, however, Hence the current expenditure of the service whether the excess may not be more injurious would be an extravagant criterion by which than the deficiency of regulation; in the to estimate that of a regular establishment former case, responsibility may be lost in the under a judicious system. The force employmaze and mass of detail and multiplied agen-led in local service, is extended throughout a VOL. VII.

This sheet is to supply the place of the number in arrear in consequence of the approach and attack of the enemy.

line of stations from Louisiana to Maine, and meusions and proportions, not only of the sefrom Champlain to Huron, consequently it veral rates, but of the numerous distinct clasis weak, is readily to be penetrated, at almost ses of the same rate, as well in their hulls as any point on our maritime frontier, by the in their masts, sails and equipments, and in concentration of a small hostile force; and it a still greater degree in their qualities for is extensive in proportion to its diffusion. In- combined action, demonstrates the prevalence dependently of the deleterious nature of this of caprice and prejudice, instead of science service upon the health and habits of those and system. When lord Nelson was off Cae nployed in it, we are from the present ne diz, with seventeen or eighteen sail of the cessity of this sys em deprived of the service line, he had no less than seven different classes of a body of officers and seamen, sufficient to of seventy-four gun ships, each requiring difman thirteen ships of the line, such as the ferent masts, sails, yards, &c. so that if one Independence, Washington and Franklin 71's ship was disabled, the others could not supply Wen ve contemplate the effect which such her with appropriate stores. a force would have, when acting in cofijune The consequence resulting from this defection upon our own coast and waters, or in tive organization and want of system are squad on, pursuing the commercial fleets of strongly illustrated in the fact, related by a the enemy on the ocean, or in the harbors of recent professional writer of rank and tahis colonies, it is impossible to avoid the con- lents that "out of five hundred and thirty clusion, that our waters would be freed from eight ships, &c. in the British navy, now at invasion; our coast from blockade, his mili- sea, there are only sixty nine which are, in tary and naval resources intercepted to such a reality, superior in the discharge of metal or degree as to paralyze his efforts on this conti- force of blows, but inferior in sailing, to some nent, superse le the necessity of a vast milita- of the American frigates and that there are ry establishment, co-extensive with our mari- but eighteen, which unless in smooth water, time, Canadian, and Indian frontiers; and our are equal to contend with the U. States, leavcitizens from those harassing, irregular, and ing four hundred and fifty one, out of five huninconvenient calls of militia, which the pre-dred and thirty eight, which are admitted to be datory enterprizes of the enemy so frequently incompetent to engage, single handed, with produce. In short, according to my concep- an American frigate."

tions, this cheap and effi ient national defence These facts are encouraging, and serve to should be adopted as soon as circumstances show, that although the numericial force of will admit, and cherished by a well digested, the enemy in ships and men appears to be energetic and liberal system, steadily progres- overwhelming, yet if the aggregate number sing with the population, commerce, and resources of the nation.

The nature, construction and equipment of the ships, which constitute a navy, form the basis of its efficiency, durability and economy, and the most important branch in the civil administration of its affairs. With a view to the reform and extension of the naval establishment of the U. States, their objects ought to cominand the first place in our at tention, combined with such an organization of the civil department, as shall promise the best results.

of officers, seamen and marines which the United States may, even now engage for the public service, was concentrated in eighteen or twenty ships of the line, such as have been recently built, it would place all the ships al-luded to, in the quotation just recited, except the eighteen, hors de combat; nor could our enemy protect his commerce and colonies, and combine such a force as would counteract the power and offensive enterprize of an American squadron so truly formidable. With such a force it will be perceived that his host of frigates and smaller vessels would be struck out of the account, or added to the list of our navy, if they came in contact.

These views, it is true, are prospective, but with a stable, judicious and liberal system, the result would he realized at no remote period.

Having noticed these exceptions to the civil administration of the British navy, it is but just to observe, that the organization of the military part of their system is much more

The defects in this part of the British systen have been the theme of criticism and reprehension for many years past. The most minute, laborions and able investigation has fron time to time taken place, under the direction al serutiny of the parliament, yet nothing approximating to radical amendment has been adopted; and the advocates of reforn, either fron the subtile ramifications of the evil, or the agency of some sinister influ- perfect. ence appear to despair of The regulations and instructions for the According to most intelligent writers, service at sea, adopted by order in council, supported by well established facts, the dete- and published in one quarto volume in 1808, rioration of the British navy, owing to the are those which now prevail. They are exinjudicious selection an1 combination of in cellent, and afford much matter worthy of incongruous materials in the construction, and corporation into our system, with such modithe abortive method of preserving is verfication as the peculiar circumstances of the alarming; and the diversity in the form, di- service may require..

success.

Ofthe French naval system the department trees, equal to the estimated produce of fifty of construction is universally admitted to be seven acres, the importance of securing for the most perfect in existence, and is well wor- public use all that valuable species of oak, thy of imitation. The military part of the which is found only on the southern sea-board · system, however, is less perfect in practice is sufficiently obvious. and not so well adapted to the habits and usages of American seamen as that of the British.

Dock yards, foundaries, smitheries and armouries, in safe and eligible situations, are indispensible appendages of so important and The character of the navy of any nation growing an establishment. These always colwill be determined by its commercial and na-lect the best workmen, and a private intercest vigating enterprise. That of America had cannot interfere with the execution; the matesurpassed every other, until the unexampled rials and workmanship are better, and the prosperity and rapid extension of its com- work is performed with more certainty and merce excited the envy, jealousy and hostili- regularity than by contract with private indı-ty of those who could not meet it in fair, e-viduals, whose works in some cases, may Lo qual and friendly competition. The same en- so remote from the seat of demand that the ergy, skill, vigilance and intrepidity which transportation may cost more than the ardistinguished the commercial navigators of ticle.

the U. States, characterise the officers and There is another branch of the service seamen of the navy. The same superiority which appears to me to merit the serious deof construction which gave to its commercial liberation of the legislature, with regard to marine the celerity and security for which it the establishment of some regular sysis distinguished, may be seen in the Ameri- tem, by which the voluntary enlistments can navy, which is truly indigenous and dis- for the navy may derive occasional reinforcetinct from every other. The independent ment from the services of those seamen who, character of the nation is manifestly visible pursuing their own private occupations, are in the genius of its navy. The classes of our exempt, by their itinerent habits, from public ships, their form, construction, armament and service of any kind. In my view there would equipment have been tested by experience, and be nothing incompatible with the free spirit found to have been happily adapted to our of our free institutions, orthe rights of indivicircumstances, compelling the enemy either duals, if registers, with a particular descriptive to employ ships of the line against rigates, record, were kept in the several districts, of or to construct a new class of ships. Their all the seamen belonging to the U. States, efficiency and perfection have extorted the jand provision made by law for classing and praise of the enemy. The author before qout calling into the public service, in succession, ed says "the carronades I saw on board the for reasonable stated periods, such portions cr U. States' brig Argus were better mounted, classes as the public service might require; and and the vessel more complete than those in if any individual so called should be absent at the British navy, and she was uncommonly the time, the next in succession should perform well manœuvred." the tour of duty of the absentee, who should,

Our ships are excellent, and all in good on his return, be liable to serve his original condition. The classes are few, and so uni- tour, and his substitute be exempt from his form that without inconvenience the masts, succeeding regular tour of duty. spars and equipments of any one of a class In the military service, should the ranks not will serve indifferently for any other of the be filled by recruits, the deficiency of regular same class. All the new ships of each rate force may be filled up by drafts of militia, to are of the same class, and are absolutely si-assemble at a given time and place; not so in milar in all their equipments, and in the di- the naval service, it depends exclusively upon mensions and proportions of their hulls, masts, voluntary enlistments, upon which there is Lo spars &c. This strict similarity should be reliance for any given object, at any time or carefully preserved upon every principle of place. Hence the most important expedition st convenience, economy and efficiency. may utterly fail, though every possible exertion shall have been made to carry them into effect.

Timber, which forms an object of much solicitude in Great Britain, deserves the particular attention of the department, the re-orIf we examine with due attention, the naganization of which will doubtless be made ture, extent and importance of the objects into combine the necessary talents and means volved in the administration of the naval af. to provide for every branch of the service, fairs, and contemplate, in the history of ages by a reasonable, diligent, and judicious col- past, the unsuccessful, though indefatigable lection in secure and convenient depots, of all labors of legislation, science and genius to perthe materials which enter into the construc-fect the system, we may learn to appreciate tion and equipments of ships of war. with more accuracy, and cherish with mors

When it is considered that one seventy-four liberality, the life of study, observation and gun ship requires two thousand large oak 'experience, required to arrive even at mode

rate attainments in a science, which, though gular and correct records of all the transactions of familiar in the estimation or all, is the most the board, and to transmit attested copies of all such complicated, critical and interesting, that has proceeding to the secretary of the navy, for the inever engaged the attention or influenced the specion and revision of the president of the United destinies of nations. My sole object is to in-the meeting, at which any such proceedings may States, as soon as may be after the adjournment of vite the attention and liberality of the nation-bve taken place; and the said board shall have pow al councils, to the requisite talents and quaer to establish such rutes and regulations for its lifications, for cherishing and rearing to matu-on proceedings, and to employ such numbers of rity, the vigorous plant, around which are the business of the board, as for that of the several clerks and assistants, as well for the transacting of entwined the affections and confidence of the inspectors, and to procure such books, maps, charts, plans, drawings, models, and stationary, as the pub

country.

ll these objects appear to me to be inti-lic interest may require, and the president of the mately connected with the revision of the civil United States may approve. administration of our naval affairs. the execu- of the navy, to arrange and class, tinder distinct and Sec. 3. That it shall be the duty of the secretary tive branch of which should be conducted by appropriate heads, as equally as may be, all such persons of large views, collectively combining duties and details, as may be found impracticable all the practical knowledge and professionel for the officers of the department of the navy, as inteligence, which those important, diversi- now organized, to execute with advantage to the fied and comprehensive subjects, obviously public, and, with the approbation of the president require. of the United States, to assign to each inspector of We have a good foundation upon which to of the classes, so arranged; for the faithful perthe navy, the special charge and execution of one raise a durable superstructure; and conclud-formance of which trust, the said inspectors shall, ing that that system cannot be radically severally, be held responsible under the instruction, wrong, which has produced such favorable and subject to the revision of the board of inspectresults, I should be unwilling to hazard, by ors, to which a statement of all the transactions of an entire innovation the benefits we have de- each stated meeting, and an abstract thereof transeach inspector, shall be submitted, for revision, at rived, and may still derive, by retaining the mitted monthly to the secretary of the navy, witle present organization of the navy department, such remarks thereon as the nature of the case may and providing by law for an intelligent practi- require; and it shall also be the duty of the secretacal and efficient auxiliary agency, such as ex-ry of the navy, to prepare a system of general reguperience has suggested. lations, defining and prescribing the respective

With this view, I have the honor to submit powers and duties of the board of inspectors of the navy, and of the several inspectors, which rules, with great deference, the following system when approved by the president of the United States, for the organization of the department of the shall be respected and obeyed, until altered or renavy of the U. States, distinguishing, for the voked by the same authority; and the said general sake of perspicuity, in the form of a bill, regulations thus prepared and approved, shall be those objects which appear to require legis laid before congress at their next session. lative provision, from those for which execu-be, and he is hereby authorized alone to appoint a Sec. 4. That the president of the United States tive regulation may prescribe with more con person, skilled in the science and practice of naval venience and advantage; the outline of which architecture, to the office of naval constructor, and only is given, as the ground work may be fil-also to appoint two assistant naval constructors; and ed up to greater benefit, when the collected it shall be the duty of the secretary of the navy, to experience and talents which it contemplates the business of the constructor's department, as prepare such rules and regulations for conducting shall have deliberated upon the subject.

AN ACT

FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

shall appear necessery and proper, which, when approved by the president of the United States, shall be respected and obeyed, until revoked by the same Be it enacted, &c. That the office, duties, and authority; and the naval constructors shall be allowpowers of the secretary of the navy, and of the ac-ed one clerk, to assist in transacting the business of countant, agents and other officers, of the depart. his department. ment of the navy, be and remain as now by law es tablished; except as hereinafter modified, altered, be, and he is hereby authorized, with the consent Sec. 5 That the president of the United States or transferred to any other office or offices, created and advice of the senate, to appoint a paymaster of by this act. the navy, who shall perform the duties of his office Sec. 21. That the president of the United States greably to the directions of the president of the be ami he is hereby authorised to designate three United States for the time being, and before he en officers of the navy, and, with the advice and copters upon the duties of the same, shall give bonds, sent of the sente, to appoint two other judicious with good and sufficient sureties, in such sums as persons, skilled in naval ffairs to be inspectors of the president of the United States shall direct, for the navy, who together shall constitute à board of the ithful discharge of his said office, and shall inspectors of the navy, three members whereof, take an oath to execute the duties thereof with fishali be necessary to form a quorum; and the busi-delity.

ness of the s id board shall be transacted in such Sec. 6. That all letters and packets to and from Central and convenient place, for the superinten-the inspectors and paymaster of the navy, which dance of the navy, as the president of the U. States cites to their official duties, shall be free from giuli direct—who shall also have power to designat. postage.

the presiding member, and to appoint the secretary Sec. 7. That each inspector of the navy shall be of the said board, whose daty it shall be to keep re-entruled to the pay and rations of a captain com