PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
129 
He had distinguished himself by his moral and correct conduct 
since he had been under my command, and I had intended pro¬ 
moting him to a better situation, so soon as circumstances should 
admit. 
I conceived it necessary to hold an inquest over his body, as 
weli to satisfy the crew, and to remove every erroneous impres¬ 
sion on the subject, as to relieve the officer himself, who had 
been the unfortunate cause of the death of this poor fellow. I 
consequently issued the following order: 
United States frigate Essex* at sea, 
April 5, 1813. 
An inquest is hereby directed to be held on the body of James 
Spafford, in order to ascertain by what manner he came by his 
death ; and to this object lieutenant Downes, lieutenant Wilmer, 
lieutenant Wilson, and lieutenant Gamble, will obtain all possi¬ 
ble information on the subject, and, assisted by Mr. Shaw* will 
draw up a statement of facts, in order that I may be enabled to 
judge whether further proceedings should be had in the case of 
the officer who is supposed to be the unfortunate cause. 
They are authorized to summon such of the officers and crew 
as may be necessary for their purpose ; and they are directed to 
give all the solemnity to the inquiry that circumstances will ad¬ 
mit of. (Signed) D. PORTER. 
After the officers composing the inquest had obtained every 
satisfactory information on the subject, they drew up and sent me 
a report, from which the following is an extract: 
“ Having examined the witnesses as above, we beg leave to 
express our full belief, that the death of James Spafford was 
caused by an accidental shot, fired by ; and 
are of opinion, that further proceedings in the case of the unfortu¬ 
nate officer are entirely unnecessary. 
(Signed) JOHN DOWNES, 
JAMES P. WILMER, 
JAMES WILSON, 
United States frigate Essex, at sea, JOHN GAMBLE.’* 
Afiril 5, 1813. 
VOL. i. 
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