An exploit scarcely inferior in gallantry, but more remarkable for having been performed in the presence of Bonaparte, was achieved off Boulogne by the Naiad frigate, three sloops of war, and a cutter, over seven large praams, eleven gun-brigs, and other small craft, amounting to 27 sail. On the 22d of September, at noon, the British ships began the attack, and soon compelled the French admiral to retire. Bonaparte, who was view ing the action along with Marshal Ney, in a barge on the outside of the harbour, directed a French commo dore to proceed with his praam, mounting 12 long brass 28 pounders, to assist the admiral. The French vessel ran along side with the intention of boarding; but Cap tain Carteret dreading that she would run off, lashed her to his own ship, and, in a short time, compelled her to strike. The French admiral, with the rest of his fleet, now made towards the harbour of Boulogne ; and Bonaparte is said to have been so enraged at their retreat, that he ordered the guns of the batteries to be turned on the flotilla, to drive them out to renew the engagement.
The British navy sustained a considerable loss to wards the end of the year, from the tempests which raged in the north seas. On the morning of the 24th December, the St George of 98 guns, commanded by admiral Reynolds, and the Defence of 74 guns, com manded by captain D. Aitken, were driven on shore on the coast of Jutland, and the whole of the crews, amount ing to nearly 1400 men, perished in the wrecks. At break of day on the 25th of December, the Hero of 74 guns, was stranded on a sand bank off the Texel, and the whole of her crew likewise perished.
The differences which had so long subsisted between this country and America, rose to a still greater height in the course of the present year. We have already seen, that the non-intercourse act was to be put in exe cution against Great Britain, on the 2d of February 1811, unless the orders in council were rescinded, and the commerce of neutral nations restored to its former foot ing. A vessel from New York, however, having been seized by the French under the Berlin and Milan de crees, Mr Randolph, a member of congress, moved for a bill to repeal the non-intercourse act. This motion being rejected, it was agreed to recommit the non-in tercourse act to the committee of foreign relations, till full proof was obtained of the complete revocation of the French decrees. Desirous, if possible, to bring the various points in dispute to a speedy adjustment, the Prince Regent appointed Augustus John Foster, Esq.
to be minister plenipotentiary to the United States ; but before his arrival in America, a new and unexpected ground of difference arose between the two nations. On the 16th of May, the United States frigate the President, of 44 guns, commanded by Commodore Rodgers, gave chase to his majesty's vessel the Little Belt, of 18 guns, commanded by Captain Bingham. When the American frigate came within hail, Captain Bingham asked what ship it was ? Commodore Rodgers repeated the words of the British captain, and immediately fired a broadside, which was instantly returned from the Little Belt. The action then became general, and continued for three quarters of au hour, when the firing of the American vessel ceased. About the same time the Lit tle Belt was obliged to desist from firing, on account of the damage which she had sustained in her masts, sails, rigging, and hull. Commodore Rodgers again hailed, and asked what ship it was ? and being answered by Captain Bingham, he then asked if the Little Belt had struck her colours ? After giving a negative answer to this question, Captain Bingham asked the name of the other vessel, and was answered that it was the United States frigate, the President. Commodore Rodgers then parted from the Little Belt; but on the morning of the 17th he bore up, and sent a message to Capt. Bingham, regretting the occurrence of such an unfortunate affair, and stating that he would not have fired had he known the inferiority of the British force. Captain Bingham asked him the motive which induced him to fire at all ? to which the commodore replied, that the first gun was fired at him. In the account of this affair, communicat ed to the American government by commodore Rod gers, he positively maintains, that the first gun was fired from the British vessel ; and in the inquiries which were subsequently instituted by both governments, the evidence of the one crew was decidedly at variance with the evidence of the other. We are not willing that na tional partiality should bias our judgment in this singu lar affair, but we can scarcely believe, that a vessel of 18 guns would rashly provoke the hostility of a frigate of 44 guns ; and if captain Bingham had been so regard less of his duty, as to insult the American flag by the first fire, it is not within the limits of credibility that commodore Rodgers would bear up next morning, re gret the unfortunate affair which had happened, and offer every assistance to his disabled enemy.