Virginia Argus

From the National Advocate.

CAPT. PORTER.

The public mind, for some days past, has been fixed upon our gallant countryman, captain Porter. His friends, and the friends of our country, are anxious to know the particulars of every act in which he has been the principal actor. Our enemies, in this city, are circulating a report, that the reason of his leaving the Essex Junior, 40 or 50 miles from land, in an open boat, was because his papers were forged; and on that account he was afraid of being sent to Halifax. To such assertions we should offer an affront to Captain Porter to make any reply. When the British found they could not overtake him in his boat they went on board the Essex Junior, broke open her hold; scuttled the bread and water casks; perforated with their swords and bayonets the sacks of flour; overhauled and examined every locker in the ship, and behaved with their wonted magnanimity, so truly characteristic of themselves. They mustered all hands, examined the commissions and warrants of the officers, and demanded the protections of the men, who they examined separately; alleged that twenty five of them were Englishmen; but not being able to procure any of the crew of the Saturn to swear to them, permitted them to proceed, after the use of much ill language.