Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Foreign Intelligence.

Extracts from London papers to the evening of the 6th July—received by the ship Herald, from Liverpool, arrived at New-York.

LITTLE BELT.
London, July 2.

We have made some further extracts from the American papers, to show the tone and language used by the Americans in consequence of their gallant achievement against the Little Belt. We have inserted also the American official statement which is in direct contradiction to the declaration of Capt. Bingham and all the officers of the Belt. There could be no probability and indeed to the solemn demand was made for any Americans impressed by our officers—no complaint was urged; the frigate commenced hostilities at once, as if the American Government had determined to "cut short all internission" and shew us her determination to negotiate only at the cannon's mouth. Be it so—it is not for us to dread the issue of any contest with America. And if she prefer fighting under French banners, and guidance of French purposes, in other words, if she chuse to accept a Bonaparte for a Washington, on her head be all the guilt and shame, aye and all the ruin of such a policy.—Courier.

The Holly is arrived with dispatches from Halifax, containing Captain Bingham's account of the action with the President, which, we suppose, will be published in the Gazette of Saturday. The following, we believe, will be found to be a correct sketch of it:—"Upon seeing the frigate with an American broad pendant, which we were convinced wanted to speak us, Captain Bingham, with his Officers, thought it would be better to speak her before dark—shortened sail, hove to some considerable time before sun set. The frigate immediately shortened sail and came down to us very slowly. We hoisted the ensign and pendant to let her know who we were, and on heaving to hoisted them again, and kept them up. When the frigate was coming down to us we distinctly saw the white stars in the broad pendant.

"When Captain Bingham judged the frigate within hail, he hailed her twice very loudly, and received no answer; about 4 or 5 minutes after (3 h. 35 m. p.m.) when a little closer, he hailed. "Ship ahoy" was then repeated from the frigate. Captain B. then hailed. "What ship is that?" which was also again repeated. The frigate then immediately commenced firing her broadside, and musquets from her tops and gangways: the action continued with great vigour for 15 minutes, when the frigate ceased firing, and we then did the same. She appeared when she ceased firing to be on fire at the main hatchway.—We were then asked "what ship is that?" and immediately answered by Captain B. who immediately asked "what ship is that?" was immediately answered "the United States frigate President." The President then asked "have you struck your colours?" Capt. B. bravely answered "No," and said to his officers that were near him "that he did not intend to strike his colours."

Next morning, at day light, observed the frigate about six or eight miles to windward, and shortly after she bore-up and came down to us under easy sail, quite prepared for battle again—passed under our stern, hailed and said, 'I will send a boat on board, if you please.' Captain B. answered, "very well." An Officer came on board, who said, "that Commodore Rodgers was very sorry such an accident had taken place, and that we had fired the first shot." Captain B. immediately contradicted the Officer in the last statement and said "he could bring the whole of his officers to their oaths that the frigate fired first;" and asked the Officer "if he thought we should fire at a neutral frigate much more than double her force." The Officer appeared perfectly convinced of his being obliged to tell Capt. B. an infernal falsehood.—ibid.