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Foreign News September 3, 1811

The New Hampshire Gazette

Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

What is this article about?

American opinion piece defends Commodore Rodgers' conduct in the 1811 Little Belt naval incident against British accusations, criticizing pro-British partisans and warning of an impending British fleet under Sir F.S. Yorke, invoking revolutionary war resolve.

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Full Text

The affair of the Little Belt
Bids fair to have more importance attached to it than what belongs to such a transaction—Every impartial man in America, we believe, has long before this formed a settled opinion on the nature and merits of this transaction, at least To far as the justice and honor of our country are concerned.
Com Rodgers' statement has not been questioned by any but the known partizans and professed advocates of England—With the exception of these pests to our country and outlaws to national honor every American has heartily concurred with the President in approving the conduct of that gallant officer. And not merely because his conduct was gallant, but because it violated no principle of justice. by which the honor of this nation could be tarnished.
On the other hand, every falsehood, that wilful perversion could play off upon willing ignorance, has been resorted to in order to impose upon the world the belief that Com. R was the aggressor. It is worthy of remark and precludes the necessity of much discussion on the subject that Capt Bingham is vindicated by the same class of men that justified Humphrey's piratical attack on the Chesapeake It was natural for such "wily politicians" as Pickering, to perceive that these misrepresentations were well calculated to soothe the wounded pride of Britain on this occasion, and that if they came from this country attested as facts by her friends, in their private letters and public gazettes, he would act upon them as such. If we are to attach any credit to the late London papers as to the destination and object of Sir F S. Yorke fleet, these enemies of truth and traitors to our country have succeeded in effecting an object worthy their characters The Hutchinsons of the day, our Judases, have acted their parts, and the enemy is upon us—Let them if they please as at Lexington con, pretend that they received the first shot -Let knaves assert and.fools believe the falsehood. As in the last war, so in this, if war it be, we shall have the last fire- Bunker Hill stands the eternal proof that we are at home on the land and that that home is a castle which it is dear to invade. If Britain wish the proof, we can soon convince her that her favorite element is ours also ; and that we are at home upon the ocean
Boston Patriot,

What sub-type of article is it?

Naval Affairs War Report

What keywords are associated?

Little Belt Affair Com Rogerds Conduct British Fleet American Defense War Threat

What entities or persons were involved?

Com Rodgers Capt Bingham Sir F S. Yorke Pickering

Foreign News Details

Key Persons

Com Rodgers Capt Bingham Sir F S. Yorke Pickering

Event Details

The text defends Commodore Rodgers' actions in the Little Belt affair as just and honorable, condemns British partisans for misrepresenting it to provoke a response, and warns that British misrepresentations have led to a fleet under Sir F.S. Yorke heading toward America, invoking American resolve like in the Revolutionary War.

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