The Virginia Gazette

LONDON,

Dec. 3. This Morning at 11 o'Clock began the Trial of Admiral Griffin; before a Court Martial, which consisted of

Vice-Admiral Hawke President.

Adm. Chambers,

Capt. Brett,

Capt. De L'Angle,

Capt. Parry,

Capt. Sturton,

Capt. Montague,

M. Fern Judge Advocate.

His Charge consisted of 8 Articles, importing Neglect of Duty, Misconduct, and mispending his Time in fruitless Councils, instead of getting out and engaging the Enemy. Capt. Boyce and Capt. Amhurst examined, said, that he had Intelligence of a Fleet coming on the Coast two Months before it appeared; and that June 9, 1748, at 11 at Night, the Lively made the Signal by Guns, of the Enemy's being on the Coast, at which Time the Admiral was on Shore; but knew it early on the Morning of the 12th, and that the Fleet appeared in Sight at 3 that Afternoon; that a Council of War was then held, in which it was agreed to sail and attack them as soon as the Eltham's Men could be distributed amongst the rest of the Ships, which was done by Five; but that the Admiral did not get under Sail 'til Eleven; and tho' applied to by the Captains to send a Frigate to look after the Enemy, he did not do it, and so they never saw them after.

Dec. 4. Seven Witnesses were examined, one of whom Capt. Nucella said if he had commanded the Squadron, he should have put to Sea.

The Court dropp'd the Article in regard to the unhanging of the Rudders of the two 40 Gun Ships, and the President's Opinion on that Head was, that he behaved like a skilful, and diligent Officer.

Dec. 5. Being sufficient, came to a Resolution of calling no more, and adjourned 'til Dec. 5. Five Witnesses more were examined; which the Court thinks next Day to hear Mr. Griffin's Defence. One Thing remarkable was, that the Lieut. of the Harwich, which lay off Pondicherry, swore they tacked at 1 o'Clock, and the Master of the same Ship swore they tacked at 11.

Dec. 6. Mr. Griffin began and went thro' his Defence; he called but few Evidences, and asked but few Questions, in relation to the setting of the Current, and his not being able (had he gone to Sea that Day) to have brought the Enemy to Action, and the Danger the Coast was in, had he left it, of having not only Fort St. David, but the other Settlements, left in the Power of the Enemy, as he must have gone to Leeward. Sir Edward Hawke took great Pains to have the Affair justly stated on both Sides. Mr. Griffin set forth, That Malice was the chief Cause of the Accusation against him.

Dec. 7. At 9 the Signal was made for the Court Martial, but nobody suffered to go on board 'til the firing of another Gun at Eleven, when Mr. Griffin went on board, and the Resolutions of the Court were read, which were very long, every Thing in Behalf, and against, being expressed, and unanimously agreed to, Yes or No. Then the Sentence was read, which was, that he fell under the 27th Article of 13 of Charles II, viz. negligently performing the Duty imposed on him, for which Reason they adjudged him to be suspended from his Rank as a Flag Officer during his Majesty's Pleasure—It was the Opinion of the Court, that it would have been more prudent in him to have taken the disabled Ships Men, viz. Pearl and Eltham, that lay without their Rudders, than to have waited for the Men from the Hospital. Mr. Griffin, surprised at the Sentence, did not speak for some Time; but at last asked for a Copy of the Sentence, which was agreed to; and on going off the Quarter Deck, he said, Twas a hard Sentence.