The surviving officers, men, boys, &c. of the Java returned home from Brazil in two cartels; and were tried by a court-martial for the loss of their ship, on the 23d April, 1813. Major-General Hislop’s evidence on this occasion was as follows:–
“It would be presumption in me to suppose that any testimony of mine can be requisite to give weight to the more substantial proofs which must appear before this honorable court, in manifestation of the exemplary conduct of Lieutenant Chads, as connected with the important matter submitted to its investigation and judgment. Impressed, notwithstanding, with the hope, that if I cannot strengthen, I shall not at any rate diminish the claims he may otherwise be found to have to a decision most honorable to him, I have felt induced to give indulgence on the present occasion to the expression of those feelings of admiration, with which I witnessed the cool, firm, and determined resolution of that officer, when it was but too evident that uo chance remained to him of any successful resistance on a renewal of the action against the enemy; nevertheless, his determination to maintain the contest, should the possibility of hurting or disabling the enemy’s ship present itself, remained unshaken. Such an opportunity, however, was not put in his power, and it was not until the unavailing loss of innumerable lives was at the very point Of being effected, that he consented to yield to the superior force he had contended with, thereby exhibiting to the latest moment a degree of undaunted perseverance which did not fail to acquire him the encomiums of the enemy ho had been opposed to, whose voluntary and unexpected avowal thereof was, in the handsomest terms, communicated to him. It would also be presumption in me to speak of the distinguished bravery and merit exhibited by the late Captain Lambert, to the moment of receiving his much lamented wound, and whose melancholy fate I shall ever most deeply deplore.
“I beg further to offer to this honorable court, a note that was transmitted to me by Commodore Bainbridge, which will shew the opinion our enemy entertained of the action.
(copy.)
“Commodore Bainbridge has learned, with real sorrow, the death of Captain Lambert; though a political enemy, he could not but greatly respect him for the brave defence he made with his ship; and Commodore Bainbridge takes this occasion to observe, in justice to Lieutenant Chads, who fought the Java after Captain Lambert was wounded, that he did every thing for the defence of that ship, that a brave and skilful officer could do; and that further resistance would have been a most wanton effusion of human blood.”
