Tuesday, March 18.
Officers and Crew of the Constellation.
Mr. Parker moved that the unfinished business be postponed for the purpose of taking up the resolution which he yesterday laid on the table, relative to the captain, officers, and crew of the Constellation; when
Mr. Nicholson said he wished it might not be taken into consideration until some official information was received upon the subject from the Secretary of the Navy, upon which resolutions can be grounded. In his opinion, the resolution of the gentleman did not go far enough. It had been said, that a young officer had voluntarily lost his life, rather than shrink from his duty, which he thought ought to be noticed. He was in favor of giving his approbation of the conduct of the officers and crew in more general terms than the resolution on the table contemplated.
After some observations from Messrs. Champlin and Harper, who were of the same opinion,
Mr. Parker said, he did not suppose a doubt could exist upon this subject sufficient to require any further information than had been received through the medium of the newspapers. He had seen a letter in the possession of the Secretary of the Navy, from Captain Baker, of the Delaware, who had every opportunity of knowing the situation of the enemy's frigate, was in the same harbor, and, being a nautical man, was of course able to give a correct opinion on her then situation, and the evident marks of the bravery of her antagonist with whom she contended—this was sufficient to satisfy his mind.
If, said Mr. P., gentlemen think the resolution does not go far enough, there is no one who will more cheerfully concur in offering other testimonies of approbation, than myself. With respect to the young officer,[54] whose gallantry and good conduct had been so highly spoken of, it was his intention to have brought forward a resolution for setting up his bust in a niche of the Capitol of the city of Washington.
Mr. P. concluded with observing that he had no objection to call for information from the Secretary of the Navy, and would therefore withdraw his motion.
Mr. Parker then moved that the House come to the following resolution, viz:
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to lay before this House any information he may possess, respecting the engagement which lately took place in the West Indies between the United States frigate Constellation and a French ship-of-war; and, also, respecting the conduct of James Jarvis, a midshipman on board the said frigate.
Mr. Smith moved to strike out the words in italics, which created considerable debate; when
Mr. Bird proposed to insert in lieu thereof, the following words: "And also upon the conduct of any officer or other person on board said frigate, who may have particularly signalized himself in the said action;" which Mr. B. supposed would meet the intention of the mover, and be less liable to objection than the words proposed to be stricken out.
Mr. Parker having consented to the modification, the resolution was agreed to.