Copy of a letter from Commodore Barron to Captain Humphreys.
“Sir,– I consider the frigate Chesapeake as your prize, and am ready to deliver her to any officer authorised to receive her. By the return of the boat I shall expect your answer; and have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed)“James Barron.”
“At Sea, June 22, 1807.”
Answer.
“H.M.S. Leopard, at Sea, June 22, 1807.
“Sir,– Having, to the utmost of my power, fulfilled the instructions of my commander-in-chief, I have nothing more to desire; and must, in consequence, proceed to join the remainder of the squadron, repeating, that I am ready to give you every assistance in my power; and do most sincerely deplore, that any lives should have been lost in the execution of a service which might have been adjusted more amicably, not only with respect to ourselves, but to the nations to which we respectively belong. I have the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
Vice-Admiral Berkeley’s approbation of the conduct of Captain Humphreys on this occasion was conveyed to him in a letter of which the following is a copy:–
“Halifax, July 4, 1807.
“Dear Sir,– I received Captain Douglas’s account, with your official letter, of the transaction which took place on the 22d ult. with the American frigate; and as far as I am enabled to judge by it, you have conducted yourself most properly. It is a matter, however, that will create much discussion, and I trust you have taken minutes of every thing which passed between the time of your boat coming on board, and the time when you were compelled to act with decision. I have despatched a cutter to England with every circumstance which has hitherto reached me, and Mrs. Humphreys is apprised of your perfect safety, and of your having fulfilled my directions. I hope you mind the public accounts which have been published of this affair as little as I do; we must make allowances for the heated state of the populace, in a country where law, and every tie, both civil and religious, is treated so lightly. It is the business of the French party to inflame the minds of the multitude, and possibly it may be the inclination of their rulers to fan that flame. The Norfolk newspaper appears to me, to have other views in its abuse of you and the English nation, which in due time will be developed. I have left the arrangement of the ships in the Chesapeake to the direction of Captain Douglas, as their operations must be governed so much by local events, that it is impossible
↑The American ship had 3 men killed, 8 badly, and 10, including the Commodore, slightly wounded.
