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The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
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In Washington, reports of the British capture of American vessel Brutus off Charleston censured U.S. ship Wasp's commander for inaction. Navy inquiry yields Capt. Jones' letter denying the claims, stating the capture was not witnessed and details were false.
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A few weeks ago an American vessel, the Brutus, was captured off Charleston, by a British cruizer. It was stated in some prints that this capture was made in sight of the U. S. ship Wasp, the commander of which was severely censured for not having interfered to prevent the capture. In consequence of publications to this effect, we understand that the Secretary of the Navy instituted an enquiry through Capt. Campbell, the commanding officer on the Charleston station, which produced the following completely satisfactory letter from Capt. Jones, commander of the Wasp:
U. S. Ship Wasp, March 22, 1811.
SIR,
The statement given of the capture of the Brutus, in the Baltimore Evening Post, under the head of "Dignified moderation," is in every particular false, as relates to the Wasp, and the said acknowledgement of some of her officers.—Nothing resembling any part of that statement happened in our view, nor did I know of her being taken until after coming into port.
On the evening the Brutus is said to have been taken, we, in running in for the light-house, passed 3 or 4 miles to the Southward of a brig which was standing to the Eastward, and, about half an hour or more after that, passed two British cruizers that were nearly the same distance to the Southward of us; and so far from seeing them on board, or bring to, the brig, they were all out of sight of us before they could have been within five or six miles of her; and from the haziness of the weather and the approaching darkness, it did not appear probable that the cruizers would have caught her, if she had designed to avoid them. Whether this was the Brutus, or a brig of some other nation, I do not know, for she shewed no colors.
I have called together the officers. & read to them the statement in the Evening Post. None of them ever heard the subject mentioned by any one from the Brutus, except Mr. Claxton & Mr. Shields, who say they heard a passenger relate the capture as made in the night, and that it contained not a word resembling the statement in the paper.
I am, respectfully yours,
JAS. JONES.
Hugh G. Campbell, Esq.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Off Charleston
Event Date
March 22, 1811
Key Persons
Outcome
false statements in baltimore evening post denied; no interference by wasp as capture not witnessed.
Event Details
American vessel Brutus captured by British cruiser off Charleston. Reports claimed capture in sight of U.S. ship Wasp, censuring its commander. Navy Secretary's inquiry via Capt. Campbell elicits letter from Capt. Jones denying all claims: Wasp did not witness capture, passed distant from brig and cruisers on evening in question, officers confirm no such discussions from Brutus crew.